This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
In 1887, a large New York tobacco firm named Goodwin & Company baseball player cards to promote their Old Judge and Gypsy Queen tobacco 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.
Since the tobacco smoking community had their choice of cabinet cards to choose from, they undoubtedly selected the greatest players of the day such as “King” Kelly, Buck Ewing, Cap Anson, Tim Keefe, etc. as opposed to the rarer non-Hall of Fame subjects. Regardless, these legendary Hall of Famers still generate the highest values due to their collector desirability, and while they are more abundant among the N173 cabinet community, their sheer existence vs. other collectibles is still obscure. Most would agree that one of the most sought after N173 cabinet subjects is the iconic 19th century Cooperstown inductee Buck Ewing with his iconic N172 Old Judge “catch, hands head high” pose also utilized on this ultra-desirable cabinet card. With that in mind, presented here is the finest Buck Ewing Old Judge graded cabinet residing in an absolutely spectacular SGC “EX-MT 80/6 holder. SGC has only encapsulated 3 other copies with this offering the SOLE example at this lofty tier and NONE graded higher. Since PSA has only encapsulated one “Authentic” Ewing, this is, indeed, the highest graded copy on the planet!
Hall of Famer Buck Ewing is considered by most historians as baseball’s best 19th catcher, as well as the foremost all around player. A lifetime .300+ hitter, Ewing had single seasons where he led the National League in home runs and triples and, amazingly, hit 15 or more triples 5 times in his illustrious career. He also managed to play both 1st base and the outfield, averaging an incredible 37 stolen bases a year (once this statistic was officially recorded).
Synonymous with Ewing’s playing prowess are the amazing visual qualities of this highest graded offering. Atypical for Old Judge cabinets are strongly contrasted photos affixed to the cardboard mount. A majority of the images circulating within the hobby are lightly contrasted (including the smaller N172 Old Judge cards), with the player’s sepia pose virtually blending into the sepia background. This offering has miraculously defied the standard original print characteristics and “father time”, providing the finest conceivable contrast and registration depicted on any Old Judge specimen. Atypical for any Old Judge example, all of Ewing’s image qualities portray pristine characteristics including his classic 19th century style uniform, period style mustache and well defined facial features as you can actually see his eyes following the baseball into his outstretched arms! Likewise, the background is virtually flawless, providing sharp sepia-toned shades that are framed by a relatively clean pink border. The 122 year old photo affixed to the cabinet mount is centered “dead-on” 50/50, with the modestly touched corners still retaining almost all of their original round shape. Aside from the contrast issue, many of the other cardboard deficiencies typically seen with N173 Cabinets including trimming, re-coloring, pinholes, obtrusive paper loss, creasing, and written notations have escaped this cardboard marvel. Even the blank back has managed to sustain its original ultra clean off-white surface, with most cabinet cards including scrapbook removal, soiling or stray notations. Along with the breathtaking Ewing image is the miraculously similar bold typography reading: “BUCK EWING, C. NEW YORK’S”, and the “OLD JUDGE CIGARETTES Goodwin & Co., New York”. Even the smaller printed copyright situated by Ewing’s right knee is perfectly legible, reading: “Copyrighted 1887 – GOODWIN & CO., N.Y.”.
In conclusion, 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. While N173 common players are rarer, the popular stars still reside as the most highly pursued artifacts with this Buck Ewing heirloom one of the more prestigious and desirable specimens. His unparalleled Old Judge “catch, hands head high” pose serves as a virtual 122 year conduit to the origin of our National Pastime, providing us with a vivid reminder of who were the legendary pioneers who helped shape our game. No advanced 19th century collection could possibly be considered complete without this grandeur keepsake included as one of its main attractions. While a number of “raw” Ewing examples most certainly reside in private collections, the population reports for both SGC and PSA currently indicate this offering is the “single”, highest graded copy. Furthermore, while Old Judge Cabinets are generally not considered ultra rare, their paucity level in this unfathomable preserved state is undeniable. More the reason to aggressively pursue this “best of the rest” masterpiece portraying unequivocal aesthetics seldom surfacing on any Old Judge Cabinet, and arguably worthy as the centerpiece attraction in the ultimate 19th century collection!