1920 V2 Cowan Co. Animal Cards #8 Grizzly Bear SGC 4 VG-EX Royal Milk Cakes

1920 Cowan Co. V2 Animal Cards #8 Grizzly Bear (Ours Gris) - SGC 4 (VG-EX)

Certification Number: 2282611

Graded and encapsulated by SGC in their current black-insert holder. The label reads 1920 COWAN CO. V2 ANIMAL CARDS, #8 GRIZZLY BEAR, with a final grade of 4 (VG-EX). Cert number 2282611 is printed on the label and matches the slab pictured, which is the exact item you will receive.

CONDITION

Presented honestly at the assigned grade, and this is a strong looking example for a century-old Canadian issue. Wear is consistent with SGC 4 (VG-EX): light corner touches with only modest rounding, clean borders with just minor handling along the edges, and no creasing visible in the image area. Color is bold across the front, with good depth in the bear and the surrounding rock and foliage, and the red Cowan's lettering is bright. The printed reverse shows light even toning with the bilingual text sharp and fully legible, plus a small dark speck near the top of the panel. Please review the photos closely, as they are of the actual card and form part of the description.

ABOUT THE CARD AND SET

The V2 Cowan Co. Animal Cards were issued in the 1920s by The Cowan Co., Limited of Toronto, one of Canada's best known chocolate and cocoa makers of the period. The set runs 24 cards, each a wide horizontal color illustration of a North American animal named in both English and French. This is #8, listed as Grizzly Bear and Ours Gris, with the Cowan's Royal Milk and Mell-O-Milk Chocolate 5 cent cakes advertising panel at the right side of the front.

The printed back carries a period write-up in both languages describing the grizzly as a huge animal, exceedingly fierce, known to attack men and cattle, weighing around five hundred pounds, and found in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Below it sits the original premium offer inviting collectors to send in a complete set in exchange for a large picture of a fox, beaver, moose, grizzly bear, or wolf, followed by the company imprint for The Cowan Co., Limited on Sterling Road in Toronto. Note that the grizzly was one of the five subjects offered as the large premium picture, which makes this number a natural centerpiece for the set. Canadian confectionery issues from this era were distributed regionally and in far smaller numbers than the major American tobacco and gum sets, and complete runs are difficult to assemble today. A strong fit for collectors of vintage non-sport, Canadiana, wildlife and bear subjects, or early advertising cards.

SHIPPING

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