20. 1909 T204 Ramly Walter Johnson (HOF RC) – PSA GOOD 2
Among the most beautiful of tobacco issues, Boston-based Mentor Company printed these stately Carl Horner portraits surrounded by ornate, embossed frames. Those slim sur- roundings prove condition-sensitive, as their fragile stamp- ing chipped easily when handled. Close inspection shows a subtle framing along each border edge that adds visual in- terest and “lift” to each one, reflecting the care taken when designing these elegant, artful pieces. While known best as “Ramly” by our hobby, T204 also came with TTT brand cig- arettes. Mentor Co. truly aimed to outdo competitors with these cards! This T204 features the set’s unquestionable key card, Walter Johnson, dressed in his distinctive high-collared Washington jersey. This fine figure of the legend reappears on his Rose Company Postcard and served as a reference for his T206 portrait, emphasizing its significance to fans of that era. It captures the Big Train in his early 20s, on the cusp of great- ness, and wielding a fastball few could handle. Our hobby considers this Johnson’s rookie card, making his T204 Ramly among the most valuable and prized of cards from any era. This PSA GOOD 2 example reflects above-average surfac- es for this technical grade, as touched corners and a surface wrinkle led to minor chipping. Its reverse shows crisp, clear printing. Thin surface lines and ink scuffs take little away from his visual impact, thanks to the high quality of his por- trait photo. Overall, a wonderful example of the Walter John- son rookie from this beautiful set and a key piece of hobby history rarely offered at auction! MINIMUM BID: $5,000
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