In the years leading up to World War I, wrestling enjoyed a golden age in Europe and America, as the grapplers and men of strength who toured in the traveling road shows and carnivals of the 19th century became huge stars of the ring. Like today’s WWE and its imitators, the rules of the bouts were fluid—drama and performance were valued just as much as winning and losing. Promoted by top impresarios, complete with a narrative of colorful villains and likable heroes, the wrestlers’ matches were held in the largest venues of the day, and the top stars gained huge followings. These cards, collected over fifteen years from flea markets in Europe and the U.S., were sold as souvenirs to the fans who lined up to buy tickets to the event.
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From LIFE.com
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All Hail New York Taxis: Gotham Cabs and Cabbies of the 1940s
LIFE.com recalls the big, burly taxi cabs that prowled the streets of New York City in the 1940s, and the rough-looking, distinctive characters who drove them.
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TIME.com Photos
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Protests Rile Istanbul As Police and Activists Clash
A protest over parkland turned violent as police cracked down on demonstrators, sparking widespread outcries against the ruling party -
Iranians Cast Vote in an Uneasy Election
As Iran heads to the polls to elect a successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, they find themselves torn between making a choice for themselves and a statement to the West. -
The Space Sorority: Fifty Years of Women in Orbit
In honor of the The 50th anniversary of the first woman in space, TIME takes a look at some of the most remarkable female astronauts to go into orbit. -
Major Wildfires Scorch Colorado©s Black Forest
Firefighters battle the most destructive fire in Colorado©s history, intensified by dry conditions, record heat and high winds. More than 360 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
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