Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXV
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
2/12/2010
In 1887, a large New York tobacco firm named Goodwin & Company baseball player cards to promote their Old Judge and Gypsy Queen cigarette brands. Actual player sepia toned photos were pasted on stiff “blank back” cardboard, not only as a sales incentive, but to protect the cigarettes via the stiff cardboard stock that was used. Beginning in 1888, tobacco users could send in 25 boxes or Old Judge slips included in the cigarette packs to receive a sepia toned photograph affixed to a 4 ¼” x 6 ½” mount. These ultra-popular cabinet cards are categorized as N173’s and are very desirable to advanced 19th century collectors. In total, 26 of the 27 Old Judge Hall of Famers are known to exist (there is no known Comiskey cabinet), with one of those highly coveted 19th century baseball pioneers, Sam Thompson, presented here in a spectacular SGC 30/2 holder. The absolute paucity of this seldom seen cabinet is evident by this miraculous offering being the SOLE copy listed on both the SGC and PSA population reports. Yes, indeed, this just happens to be the only recorded Sam Thompson N173 on the planet!
Heavy hitting Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Thompson spent most of his career with Detroit and Philadelphia. A .331 lifetime hitter, he had the distinction of being a part of two ultra-distinguished HOF outfields. The first was with Philadelphia in the 19th century when he combined with Delehanty and Hamilton, and incredibly, in 1894, all three batted over .400! His last year in the major Leagues, at the age of 46, he shared the outfield spotlight with Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford. This “one of one” museum worthy artifact portrays a captivating Thompson sepia-toned batting pose as he prepares to stroke another one of his legendary line drive hits. Hands set apart on the bat handle (a batting style commonly associated with the immortal Ty Cobb), you can almost feel Thompson’s intensity as he focuses on the oncoming horsehide sphere situated slightly approximately ¾” above the sweet spot of the bat. This iconic moment in time has been eternally frozen for a myriad of grateful cardboard collectors. Superior contrast and clarity highlight this timeless photograph that is affixed to what appears to have been the yellow style cardboard mount. Typical with most N173 cabinets, the yellow toned color has dissipated due to some 120 years of wear, toning and soling. The corners reflect moderate wear with the upper left and lower right corners portraying some diminutive layering. While some surface abrasions due exists primarily near the upper left border (approx. 2” down from the top edge) and bottom right edge (a right angle faint scratch), no major creases are evident. The image includes some non-obtrusive soling, barely seen with the naked eye, and a few areas of surface flaking are apparent to the right of Thomson’s hallowed batting pose. The white typography at the bottom of the photo still clearly reads, respectively: “THOMPSON, RF PHILADELPHIA” and to the left of Thompson’s right stocking “Copyright 1888 Goodwin & Co., N.Y.”. The bold sepia “OLD JUDGE CIGARETTES “Goodwin & Co., New York.” print situated on the lower border is, likewise, perfectly legible. The reverse blank back depicts the expected soling and toning for a 19th century oversized cardboard artifact, however, no obtrusive flaws are evident. In summary, the overall aesthetic radiance of this absolute rarity overwhelms any of the aforementioned blemishes, still providing its audience with an unparalleled mystique. In conclusion, with 19th century advanced collectors actively seeking the rarest possible cardboard relics in existence, based on the population report, this is one cabinet card that you should relentlessly pursue. No other pre-1900 issues are more popular than Old Judge cigarette cards in both their small (N172) and larger sized cabinet versions (N173), setting an unequivocal 19th century benchmark all other pre-1900 cards are measured against. With that in mind, why not claim ownership of this breathtaking N173 Sam Thompson cabinet that just happens to be SOLE graded example of this majestic Hall of Famer currently in existence!
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