Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXVIII
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
The 1903/1904 Breisch-Williams Company’s baseball cards depicting black & white player portrait images marks an historical event in the origin of our illustrious hobby. This issue was, undoubtedly, the landmark 20th century baseball card issue, eventually leading to the myriad of ‘E’ and ‘T’ cards that would be produced before WWI. Due to their scarcity and severe condition sensitivity, elite collectors scramble to seize even low grade examples, especially considering mid-grade specimens are virtually impossible to come by. Justifying this motion is the SGC census report indicating that of the total 539 encapsulated subjects, only 6% have achieved a 50/4 technical assessment with a mere 6% graded higher. Furthermore, the latter 6% is comprised of primarily mid-grade copies with only 3 copies graded an 80/6, and a sole example achieving an SGC 84/7! With that in mind, presented here is one of those seldom seen mid-grade E107 Breisch Williams cards, a sterling SGC 50/4 Monte Cross. Only one other Cross has been encapsulated by SGC with this offering the sole 50/4 and highest graded specimen. Additionally, PSA has only graded 2 Monte Cross E107’s with both examples including qualifiers (a PSA 5Q and 1Q).
Shortstop Monte Cross will never be near the top of anyone’s star infielder lists. The typical turn of the century journeyman player, he bounced around within the National League for several seasons including playing stints with Baltimore, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and the Phillies. After the turn of the century, he was picked up by the Philadelphia Athletics where he played a modest shortstop for Connie Mack, actually leading the American League in putouts in 1902 and 1903. His classic Carl Horner black & white portrait pose is crystal clear and portrays near perfect contrast, with the entire image well centered “side to side” and moderately favoring the top edge. Relatively clean white borders, mild even corner wear and sharp edging all contribute to this mid-grade beauty. The reverse side “One of a hundred and fifty prominent Baseball players” typography still retains its original bold black clarity with non-obtrusive toning appearing throughout the off-white surface. No major creasing is evident one either side, the final compliment to a solid mid-grade copy strongly consistent with its technical assessment. Due to the obscurity of the E107 issue, advanced collectors will typically pay a premium for even a low grade Breisch-Williams subject. Assuming that is indeed the case, we’ll let you decide what this SGC 50/4 highest graded “1 of 1” specimen is worth!
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click thumbnail for larger image.