This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
Without question, one of the scarcest baseball card issues in existence are the ultra colorful oversized Boston Garters manufactured by the George Frost Company of Boston, Mass. Three separate issues were distributed to retailers from 1912 thru 1914 with the ultra-obscure 1914 color issue including 12 different player subjects. Created for the sole purpose of advertising the George Frost Company’s Boston Garters, retailers would receive one card per box of dozen garters, and had the option of writing to the company for the complete set. The cards measure approximately 4” x 8 ¼” and were most likely oversized since the manufacturer solicited retailers to place them in their store windows as a promotion for their Boston Garter brand. The obverse side depicts brilliant lithographic player images within a baseball field shaped diamond, with a picture of the company’s Boston Garter product directly below the player’s name. The reverse side includes the 12 subject checklist, statistics for the player represented on the card, and various advertisement features throughout the lower half of the card. Undoubtedly, the extreme rarity of this iconic type issue stems from the fact these cards were never released to the general public, but only to the scant Boston Garter retailers.
The 12 subjects included in the 1914 color issue comprise 7 Hall of Famers with one super notable, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson! Most would agree that the highly coveted immortal Cooperstown inductees are Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson and Tris Speaker. The set’s sheer paucity level is substantiated by SGC’s census report, indicating that of the total 12 subjects, only 15 copies have been encapsulated. Furthermore, PSA has currently encapsulated NO 1914 Boston Garters. Bottom line is these incredible cardboard artifacts seldom surface in the hobby, with even the most elite enthusiasts painstakingly seeking any possible example. Fortunately for those advanced collectors, one of those rare opportunities to capture a prestigious Boston Garter Hall of Famer is now a reality because presented here is the legendary Tris Speaker 1914 Boston Garter specimen in an aesthetically brilliant SGC “Authentic” holder. While you catch your breath, the SGC “pop” chart indicates this is the ONLY graded Tris Speaker colored Boston Garter, with the “Authentic” technical assessment due to a restored pinhole directly above Speaker’s striped cap. Of further significance is this card was once owned by the legendary St. Louis hobbyist Charles Barker, with his standard red stamp situated on the reverse side of this magnificent offering.
Hall of Famer Tris Speaker played for the Red Sox and Indians, and along with Mays and DiMaggio, experts consider him one of the top three centerfielders to ever play the game. Author of a .344 lifetime batting average via 3,500+ hits, Speaker revolutionized the centerfield position by playing almost behind 2nd base, enabling him to gather the most outfield assists in baseball history including an incredible 35 in his 1909 rookie season! That is why it is virtually unfathomable to come across an opportunity to own what may be Speaker’s rarest cardboard relic. Just the sight of this museum worthy artifact is reason enough the “break the bank”! True, the card has been restored with the previously mentioned diminutive pinhole no longer existing near the upper border. However, the overall breathtaking visual appeal easily outdistances this modest restoration issue, highlighting what is, arguably, the most spectacular Tris Speaker image affixed to any of his existing cards.
The “Gray Eagles” legendary batting pose still retains its original robust color, is vividly registered, and set against a bold purple diamond shaped background. The pale orange background throughout the remainder of this hallowed card is virtually unblemished, with the obverse side including a completely intact garter belt design, and bold “Boston Garter” advertisement print. The right side and lower left corners depict only modest even wear while the upper left corner does exhibit a miniscule portion of stock loss barely visible to the naked eye. The reverse side bold black typography for the checklist, Speaker’s statistics and lower situated Boston Garter advertisement is bold and vivid. Blemishes include mild surface abrasions near the upper edge, some of which attributed to the restoration, the aforementioned “Charles Barker” red stamp located near the upper right edge, and a faint “1913” pencil notation near the lower left edge. Due to its restoration the technical assessment is totally accurate; however, fortunately for its potential new owner, this unequivocal masterpiece’s sparkling color patterns emit eye appeal virtually unparalleled by any other type card.
To reiterate, of the total 12 subjects, a mere 15 have been encapsulated by SGC (NONE by PSA), with this gem the ONLY graded copy in existence. More the reason to take whatever steps are necessary to claim ownership of this aesthetically breathtaking museum quality Tris Speaker Boston Garter that, quite possibly, may never surface again!