John Levitt says: Hi John, I recently acquired a set of 20 cards called Victory Blend Southampton Speedway Aces which I have never heard of before. I have no idea who the manufacturer of the cards are or when they were issued, for all I know this could be the only set. I enclose below a brief description of the cards which includes a rider list as well as attaching images of the cards themselves. Feel free to use my notes in whichever way you see fit.

The cards measure 66mm x 40mm approx. as they are not cut with all 4 90º corners and are numbered on the front, with numbers 1 to 10 depicting caricatures of riders wearing racing bibs with the "Ace of Hearts" and numbers 11 to 20 wearing "Striped" racing bibs. All have their name and "Southampton" along with a Southampton crest in the background. The caricatures are signed by the artist as Stone '48 (10 images), Stone '55 (9 images) and Stone '65 (1 image). The front has printed typeface text of "Victory Blend" at the top and "Speedway Aces" at the bottom along with additional text stating "a series of 20" and a "No." "20" and the number although printed appear to be handwritten. Each caricature is inside a rectangle of small stars. The back of the card seems to be an unsigned artist's impression depicting a "Phoenix" rising from a speedway crash which includes the number "90". The cardstock is quite thin and is yellow in colour. Cards 4 and 5 have a blank space after "a series of". No manufacturers name appears to be shown unless it is "Victory Blend" which could be some form of product (Cigarettes, Coffee or Tea etc.) and the number 90 could be the year of issue i.e. 1990.

Southampton Team

1      Jimmy Hayes                      (1929 - 1931)

2      Billy Dallison                       (1936 - 1939)

3      Frank Goulden                     (1930 - 1932, 1936 - 1939)

4      Cec Bailey                          (1948 - 1951)

5      Phil Bishop                          (1932, 1949 - 1950, 1955)

6      Alfie Caines                         (1938 - 1939, 1947 - 1949)

7      Bob Oakley                         (1947 - 1950)

8      Bill Griffiths                         (1947, 1949 - 1950)

9      Jim Squibb                         (1947 - 1951, 1957 - 1959)

10     Tom Oakley                        (1948 - 1951)

11     Ernie Rawlins                      (1947 - 1948, 1953 - 1956)

12     Dick Bradley                       (1955 - 1963)

13     Johnny Hole                        (1956 - 1960)

14     Bert Croucher                     (1947 - 1948, 1951 - 1953)

15     Brian Hanham                     (1952 - 1962)

16     Morrie Mattingly                  (1952 - 1957)

17     Vic Ridgeon                        (1956 second-half try-out 2 rides)

18     Ron Sharp                          (1956)

19     Alby Golden                        (1955 - 1963)

20     Bill Holden                          (1950 - 1951, 1956 - 1957)

Cec Bailey is Cecil Bailey.

Alfie Caines should be Alf Kaines.

Morrie Mattingly should be Maury Mattingley.

Note that it was not uncommon for riders names to be spelt differently or incorrectly in various newspapers and periodicals and programs when reporting race results.