Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXVIII
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
In 1909, the C.A. Briggs Company Lozenge Makers of Boston Mass. released a 30 subject baseball card set to promote their brand. Regarded as one of the rarest “E” card issues ever produced, only three Hall of Famers are included in the set, with any player subject actively sought after by advanced enthusiasts. Every so often, black & white” blank back proof issues surface with these specimens rarely seen and significantly more valuable than their standard 30 player checklist regular issue counterparts. That considered, presented here is an E97 example of Chicago Cub’s 3rd baseman Harry Steinfeldt in an eye pleasing SGC 30/2 holder. Currently, PSA has only encapsulated a single Steinfeld proof (a PSA “Authentic”). Unfortunately, SGC’s census report does not distinguish the 15 graded Steinfeld examples between Regular E97 checklist back issues and proofs. However, we can safely assure you that only a handful of them, at most, could possibly be the scarce proof version.
So what is the true significance of Chicago Cubs 3rd baseman Harry Steinfeldt? When Franklin P. Adams created his renowned “Tinker to Evers to Chance” poem for the iconic double play combination, he just happened to omit the Cubs standout 3rd baseman, Harry Steinfeldt! Yes indeed, Steinfeldt is the “missing link” to the incomparable Cubs infield that led the Cubbies to three straight National League championships from 1906 thru 1908. Steinfeldt’s representation on this rarely seen cardboard artifact portrays perfect contrast and clarity, with the entire image well centered “top to bottom” and favoring the left edge. Clean white borders and straight edging provide a fine eye pleasing perimeter with the mild corner wear depicting a super eye pleasing uniformity. The bright white blank back’s only blemish is a diminutive stain and/or foxing spot near the top edge, and no major creases are evident. While there is a moderate stain within the obverse side frame near the upper right quadrant, we are perplexed as to why this super eye pleasing card did not achieve at least a “VG” technical assessment? We can only assume there may be some microscopic surface wrinkle(s) virtually invisible to the naked eye. Regardless, this rarely seen E97 proof obscurity easily depicts VG+ aesthetics and would be a perfect fit in any obscure type card collection.
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