Recent research by Love of the Game shows that Boston Store released this set of 200 cards in groups of 25 players during the spring of 1917 and charged two cents for each new batch. This marketing plan clearly tried to make it a habit for youngsters to visit their downtown Chicago store and ask accompa- nying parents for more of the sporting goods on display there. The paucity of surviving cards (and lack of future sets from that store) implies their marketing plan proved less successful than hoped, making it tough for any modern collector to find a single example, let alone rebuild its set. Their phased release of 25-player units means Pittsburgh legend Honus (Hans) Wagner came out in its final group (#176-200) and was distributed in June 1917. This also marked Wagner’s 21st and final season in the majors, which he spent playing first and third. (Chuck Ward played shortstop most often for Pittsburgh that year.) Wagner delivered a midyear hitting surge to push his average as high as .354, just like the old days, but a fading second half dropped him to just .265 by season’s end. This lack of consistent hitting and Pittsburgh’s poor win-loss record convinced Honus to wrap things up as a player. (He enjoyed a lengthy career coaching for the Pirates, so continued to pop up in team issues and group photos from later decades.) 22. 1917 Boston Store #180 Honus Wagner (HOF) – PSA FR 1.5
This PSA FR 1.5 grade reflects typical handling for a loved, but not abused, example from this challenging issue. Many singles with ideal front centering also show an eastward push on their reverse, as seen here. The high interest in any Boston Store example is driven by scarcity and star power, as PSA’s population report reveals only six total encapsulated examples across all scores. Love of the Game is excited to offer many cards from this scarce issue, as well as a better understanding of its original production and distribution. MINIMUM BID: $2,500
23. 1904 W600 Spring Life Cabinets Eddie Plank (HOF – In Uniform) – PSA PR 1
This W600 Sporting Life cabinet card shows “Gettysburg Eddie” Plank looking his Horner studio best and features a portrait used for several cards of this era. Plank was born, raised, and buried in Gettys- burg, making his nickname both factual and a reflection of America’s growing affection for Lincoln’s now-famous 1863 speech. This cabinet version of Horner’s portrait shows a fuller version of Philly’s button-up jersey and high collar, as set inside a taupe border and finished with an ornate nameplate and magazine legend. PSA’s POOR 1 grade reflects clear evidence of water exposure and album removal, perhaps after storage by its original owner. Drawing its image from the same Carl Horner photo as the famous T206 Plank, this Type 4 example remains appealing despite the water staining. Regardless of condition, all W600 cards remain tough to find and any player’s quite desirable, let alone a Hall of Fame pitcher of Plank’s stature. The card is rare enough that we can find just one public sale in this pose, a $41,000 sale of a higher-grade specimen nearly a decade ago. PSA’s population report contains just two for this “Philadelphia A.L.” version. A truly rare card featuring an iconic image of a key Hall of Famer. MINIMUM BID: $5,000
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