Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXVIII
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
NO pre-WWI baseball card issue could possibly match the unequivocal prestige of the T206 “Monster Set” distributed between 1909 and 1911. Among its 524 subjects, included is the hobby’s “Holy Grail”, the iconic T206 Honus Wagner, as well as the T206 Plank, Magie error card and ultra rare Joe Doyle variation. The mystique of these four cards, alone, has raised the aura of the T206 tobacco cards to a stratospheric level, easily prevailing as the most popular baseball card set in existence. Many advanced enthusiasts are ready and able to face the challenge of assembling, at a minimum, 520 of the total 524 subjects (foregoing the aforementioned “big four”) in high grade condition. Unfortunately, PSA’s illustrious “pop” chart indicates that extremely high grade specimens (“NM-MT” or higher) rarely surface, justified by only 2% of the total 116,000+ graded copies equaling the exalted “NM-MT 8” technical assessment. Furthermore, only an incredibly scant ) 0.3% have been graded higher! With that in mind, offered here is one of those sparse PSA 8 specimens, Brooklyn outfielder Harry Lumley in what may be his finest cardboard artifact. Currently, this is the SOLE Sovereign Cigarette Lumley listed at this hallowed grade with NONE graded higher! While the PSA’s “unknown category” does list three other “8’s”, unquestionably the chances are that these other “NM-MT” examples carry the more prevalent Sweet Caporal or Piedmont tobacco advertisement backs. Regardless, what we know for 100% certainty is that NO Lumley copy has exceeded this museum worthy T206 masterpiece!
Harry Lumley played 7 seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, drafted by Brooklyn after he led the Pacific Coast League in batting in 1903. His claim to fame in the Major Leagues happened to come in his first season when in 1904 he lead the National League in both home runs (9) and Triples (18). Fortunately for Lumley, his legacy continues on via this Hall of Fame worthy card that actually presents itself better than its already lofty grade. Highlighting the card is an absolutely magnificent ocean blue background that projects Lumley’s pristine portrait pose in an unparalleled manner. Simply stated, this is one of the most breathtaking T206 lithographic images we have ever come across. The blizzard snow white borders are centered “dead-on” 50/50, ending at blistering sharp edges and corner tips. The reverse side bold green tougher “Sovereign Cigarette” advertisement is virtually un-improvable, set against a bright white background and also well centered. The overall aesthetics of this miraculous century old gem are indescribably “mouth watering” to say the least, and we can’t imagine any elite collector not wanting to immediately seize this aesthetically unparalleled offering for their high-end PSA Registered T206 set!
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