3 1948 Chicago Cardinals Real-Photo Postcards – World Champions, “Dream Backfield,” Trippi.
Lot 410. 3 1948 Chicago Cardinals Real-Photo Postcards – World Champions, “Dream Backfield,” Trippi. The 1947 Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Championship Game, 28-21. In 1948, both teams repeated as NFL Division champions. This time, in the “Philly Blizzard” title game, the Eagles won, 7-0. These Cardinals teams were powered by the “Dream Backfield,” which was also known, because of player salaries, as the “Million Dollar Backfield.” One postcard pictures the “Dream Backfield” – Elmer Angsman as one halfback, Paul Christman as the quarterback, Mel Harder as the fullback and Charlie Trippi as the other halfback. Marshall Goldberg was also part of the backfield. Charlie Trippi is the subject of another postcard. An All-American at Georgia and winner of the 1946 Maxwell Award, Trippi joined the Cardinals in 1947 for what then was a record salary of $100,000. When he retired after the 1955 season, he held the NFL record for most yards of total offense. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959, and the Pro Hall of Fame, in 1968. The third postcard presents a team photo representing 1947 NFL champions and the 1948 Western Division champs. On the back, each postcard says “Genuine Photograph ‘Groganized’ Danville, Ill.” They are scarce, unused and grade ex. The Cardinals relocated to St. Louis in 1960 and to Phoenix in 1988. They became the Arizona Cardinals in 1993. Trippi is the oldest living member of the Pro Hall of Fame. Winning Bid $68.
