Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXVIII
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
After Goodwin & Company ceased their iconic Old Judge tobacco brand cards in 1890, it would be five years before another manufacturer threw their “hat into the ring” by utilizing baseball cards to advertise their smoking brand products. In 1895, the Richmond, Va. Mayo Tobacco Works manufacturer issued what is the last major 19th century set. Forty different players are included in the set with 48 different player poses including a mixture of “street clothes” and uniform variety. While ultra popular with 19th century enthusiasts, they are subject to ultra condition sensitivity issues due to fragile original bold black borders frequently found with significant chipping. Similar to the Old Judge issue, the set includes a significant number of 19th century Hall of Famers including Cap Anson, Hugh Duffy, Ed Delahanty, Buck Ewing, Dan Brouthers, Kid Nichols and John Clarkson, just to mention a few. With that in mind, presented here is the former of that group, standout right-handed hurler John Clarkson in a spectacular SGC 80/6 holder. How tough is this card in this superior grade? Consider that SGC has only encapsulated a single other copy at this elevated tier with a SOLE example graded higher! Furthermore, PSA’s “pop” chart currently lists only one Mayo Cut Clarkson at this lofty level with NONE graded higher.
Immortal Cooperstown inductee John Clarkson utilized a super curveball to win an incredible 327 games over a relatively short 12-year career, averaging approximately 27 victories per season! He won over 30 games or more in six different seasons, including two superhuman years in which he won 53 and 49 games! The Mayo Cut Plug cards are ultra popular with vintage enthusiasts due to their incredibly photogenic portrait images that are encompassed by bold black borders, and Clarkson’s immaculate sepia-toned pose certainly doesn’t disappoint. Portraying superior contrast and absolutely crystal clear focus, the image is set against a solid sepia-toned background that is perfectly centered between four bold black borders. The standard stigma of this card, surface wear to the borders, in this case does not prevail since the borders still retain a majority of their original black surface, with the exception of some peripheral chipping along the right and left edges. Strong square corners with touching at only the extreme tips and sharp edging complete an outstanding perimeter, no glaring surface blemishes are evident and the bold black reverse side is still intact. Bottom line is this “1 of 2” miraculous high grade Mayo Cut Plug specimen of legendary pitcher John Clarkson reflects the seldom seen peak level eye appeal for any N300 issue. With only a single higher example listed on BOTH the SGC and PSA “pop” charts, this is a grand opportunity to claim ownership of one of the finest Mayo Cut Plug John Clarkson artifacts on the planet!
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