42. 1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinets Cap Anson (HOF) - SGC GOOD 2
Likely the most popular and desirable of all the N173 cabinets, this example featuring Hall of Famer Cap Anson depicts the popular player in dapper street clothes in the classic pose that has been reproduced countless times throughout the hobby. This example, despite the lower technical grade, boasts significant image contrast (the image of Anson is often found faded), the Chicago captain’s icy gaze fixed off-camera in an intense stare. Owner of a .334 lifetime batting average over an astonishing 27 seasons, Anson hit under .300 just twice in his career, never posting an average below .285. Given the popularity of Anson in his era, his cards were particularly desirable and are often found today with considerable wear. Most surviving examples carry lower technical grades. In this case, the cabinet does exhibit some light soiling and a few areas of discoloration along the left edge; the verso shows additional staining and light foxing, more pronounced than on the front. The peach-colored mount is particularly attractive, and as stated, the image remains strong and clear. An outstanding example of one of Cap Anson’s most coveted cards.
MINIMUM BID: $2,000
43. 1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinet Charles Comiskey (HOF) - PSA GOOD+ 2.5
44. 1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinets Roger Connor (HOF) - PSA FR 1.5
Gorgeous cabinet photo of Hall of Famer Roger Connor, the image corresponding with pose #88-1 in the N172 Old Judge Cigarettes issue. While all N173 cabinets are rare, this is a particularly difficult pose of a key Hall of Famer, the only example to have been graded by PSA. With 138 home runs across his 18-year career, Connor was the game’s first great slugger, baseball’s lifetime home run leader until the arrival of Babe Ruth. Underappreciated during his playing years, Connor’s career
Highly-coveted N173 Old Judge cabinet photo features Hall of Fame member Charles Comiskey while still a young ballplayer for St. Louis. The only example of this pose assessed by PSA, the technical grade of GOOD+ 2.5 is the result of corner wear and light soiling. The most visible area of wear is an unobtrusive crease at the bottom right corner. The image quality is quite remarkable, certainly the
FALL 2024 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES NOVEMBER 30, 2024 37 MINIMUM BID: $5,000 became subject to closer scrutiny in the 1970s as Hank Aaron approached Ruth’s career record. Shortly after Ruth’s record was toppled, Connor received his long-overdue recognition by being inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee. Despite its striking image and clean mount, the grade of FR 1.5 assessed by PSA addresses a thin strip of what appears to be chipping to the photographic emulsion on the image itself, along its extreme right edge near the top. The paper loss leads to what appears to be a long, thin scratch across the top right of the photo. Minor surface abrasions are visible vertically at the left and right of the image as well, mentioned here for accuracy but in no way detracting from the quality and detail of the image. These flaws, though properly addressed in the technical grade, have virtually no impact on the aesthetic appeal of the cabinet itself. A wonderful, rare photo of the game’s earliest home run king.
highlight of this card.
Comiskey is one of the most important figures in the history of the game, known during his playing career as a great leader who was captain of the Browns for four pennant-winning seasons between 1885 and 1888. He is, of course, best-known as the owner of the Chicago White Sox, his reputation as a frugal owner often cited as the impetus for the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. The club’s ballpark carried his name for decades, until the days of corporate naming rights made such folksy traditions a thing of the past. An outstanding early cabinet photo of a titan in the game’s lore, particularly rare.
MINIMUM BID: $2,500
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