Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXV
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
2/12/2010
In 1887, a large New York tobacco firm named Goodwin & Company baseball player cards to promote their Old Judge and Gypsy Queen cigarette 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. Furthermore, in a few rare instances, the Old Judge Cigarette Company would distribute cabinet cards carrying a “DOGS HEAD” cigarette advertisement. While there are several theories relating to the distribution of the ultra-sparse “DOGS HEAD” cabinets, 100% resolution for the “DOGS HEAD” coupon redemption methodology has never been “etched in stone”, with the most knowledgeable experts believing that their obscure existence resulted from sheer random distribution. While there are 26 known Old Judge Hall of Famer cabinets, most of the extremely scarce examples belong to non Hall of Famers. This scenario is a result of the tobacco smoking community having their choice of cabinet cards to choose from, obviously selecting the greatest players of the day, with many of the lesser known subjects seldom chosen. Therefore, the combination of a “DOGS HEAD” N173 cabinet depicting a non-Hall of Famer is the scarcest of breeds. Justifying this notion is the population report for Philadelphia’s Harry Stovey’s “DOGS HEAD” N173 cabinet presented here in a remarkable SGC 50/4 holder. This is one of only two Stovey “DOGS HEAD” cabinets listed on SGC’s illustrious population report, with PSA’s “pop chart” reflecting none!
Harry Stovey was one of the 19th century’s greatest stars who may have unjustly been denied an eternal resting place in Cooperstown, New York. Many historians truly believe his accomplishments merited Hall of Fame status, and they just may be correct. Stovey finished with an incredible 122 home runs in his distinguished 14 year career, falling only 14 short of Roger Connor’s 19th century record of 136 round trippers. The right handing hitting slugging leftfielder was the first player to reach 100 home runs and led the league in that category five different seasons. Stovey was among the pioneers who invented the “feet first” slide, had a strong throwing arm, was extremely fast (he stole over 500 bases in his career), and in 1884 batted an incredible .404. Although he started out with Worcester in the National league, his best years were with the Philadelphia Athletics from 1883 thru 1889. In 1890 he joined the Boston club of the newly formed Players League and played his last few seasons with the Boston, Baltimore and Brooklyn National League teams. While Stovey will never be enshrined in Cooperstown, his representation on this magnificent artifact certainly merits 19th century Hall of Fame cardboard status! An absolutely breathtaking sepia-toned Stovey batting image reflects the brilliant photogenic qualities originating from this photo some 120 years ago as he prepares to clout another one of his league leading home runs. The clarity and contrast is incredibly pristine with the entire photograph affixed to a partly faded yellow mount. The image only slightly favors the right edge, the corners and edging are completely intact, and no major creasing or surface flaws are evident. Both the white lettered typography to the left of Stovey (“copyright 1888, Goodwin & Co.”) and the sepia print below his classic pose (”Stovey, L.F. Athletics”) are bold and clearly legible. Likewise, the critical “DOGS HEAD & OLD JUDGE CIGARETTES” situated on the lower border is clear and robust. Completing this miraculous offering is a relatively clean blank back that reflects the typical toning and diminutive soling existing on almost all of these coveted cardboard keepsakes. Bottom line is this offering has bested “Father Time” and has just celebrated its 122 birthday! When contemplating the age of this museum worthy artifact, one can only ponder how an oversized cabinet from the 19th century possibly retain its original luster? More significantly, via its “DOGS HEAD” advertisement, the paucity of this mid-grade Harry Stovey N173 Cabinet is unparalleled among any 19th century collectible. Need we say more regarding this nearly unique opportunity to purchase a miraculous “DOGS HEAD” masterpiece that directly transcends us to the origin of our “Grand Old Game”!
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.