468. 1889 Heyn Studios Jacob Wells Cabinet – “Proof” of Incredibly Rare Old Judge
Spectacular cabinet photo featuring Jacob Wells, the image corresponding with pose #487-4 in the N172 issue. The photo originates from the Heyn studio in Omaha, the studio that produced the photos for Kansas City players used in the Old Judge set. Wells was with Kansas City in 1888 only, part of a 12-year journeyman career that included at least 14 teams and 11 different leagues between 1886 and 1897. In 1888 he played 16 games with the Detroit Wolverines, where he was teammates with future Hall of Famers Dan Brouthers, Ned Hanlon, Sam Thompson and Deacon White. After his playing career ended, he managed in Atlanta and Richmond and later became the president of the Virginia League. The cabinet is in superb condition, with excellent image contrast and detail. The mount is also well-preserved, the ornate advertisement on the reverse clean and bold.
Jake Wells is one of the rarest subjects in the Old Judge issue, listed as the 29th rarest in The Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Co. VCP, which began tracking public sales in 2006, has no recorded examples of any Wells Old Judge having been sold. The card is a significant rarity, and this studio cabinet should be treated that way as well. Perhaps the only Old Judge pose of Wells that even the most advanced 19th Century collectors may ever see.
MINIMUM BID: $1,750
469. 1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinets #251-1 Tim Keefe (HOF)
470. 1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinets #388-3 Wilbert Robinson (HOF)
Seldom-seen N173 cabinet photo featuring Tim Keefe, the image corresponding to pose #251-1 in the N172 Old Judge Cigarettes issue. The image quality here is rich and dark, clear enough to make out wrinkles in the studio backdrop, the laces on Keefe’s shoes, and the expression on his face. The yellow mount exhibits some mild soiling on the front and heavy staining from scrapbook mounting on the reverse. The image sits high on the mount, which has been trimmed from
There are several cards widely considered to be the “rookie” card of Hall of Famer Wilbert Robinson, and all are very difficult. The N690 Kalamazoo Bats and N172 Old Judge cards are very tough, the N172 being one of the few rare Hall of Famers in the entire issue. The N173 Old Judge is, however, at a different level. It is a truly rare card. In our research we did not find a recent public sale of any Wilbert Robinson N173, with the exception of our sale of
its original size, resulting in no visible top border. The result of this is that the cabinet will not receive a grade from a grading company. Regardless, a tougher pose of the Hall of Famer Keefe, from the prized N173 cabinet issue.
this very example in 2021, before the hobby boom. This is, without a doubt, a remarkable rarity. The card itself presents well, though it is plainly apparent that the Old Judge Cigarettes advertisement at the bottom of the mount has been lopped off. Additionally, the card has been trimmed close to the photo on the remaining three sides. The image remains strong, a bit light but still with strong clarity. Of course, in a perfect world, one might wait for the next N173 Robinson to make itself available; however, advanced collectors understand that might take a lifetime. An outstanding example of a true rarity - the only N173 Wilbert Robinson we have encountered.
MINIMUM BID: $2,000
MINIMUM BID: $750
93 FALL 2025 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES NOVEMBER 29, 2025
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