30. 1887 N172 Old Judge Cigarettes Clark Griffith (HOF) - PSA VG+ 3.5
32. 1887 N172 Old Judge Billy Hamilton (HOF) - SGC VG 3
An incredibly underrated Hall of Famer and important contributor to the game, Clark Griffith is pictured here as a pitcher with the Milwaukee Brewers of the Western Association, where he would spend two seasons on his journey to the majors. Ultimately, Griffith would pitch for 20 major league seasons, rattling off 20 or more wins seven times. He became a player/manager in 1901, and would continue his managerial career for 20 years, winning a pennant and retiring with a .522 winning percentage and 1,491 lifetime wins (25th all-time).
Early superstar and present day Hall- of-Famer “Sliding” Billy Hamilton is doing his pinata-bashing best with the comically suspended baseball in the “Strike, Looking Up At Ball Pose” also known as 210-2 in the long N172 series. Strike? Well, the good news is the image on this VG- graded example is a strong one, well-reproduced with image clarity and contrast far above average for the issue. You can make out the fine detail on the quilting of Hamilton’s sliding pads and be mesmerized by the strange, snaking white object just
As the owner of the Washington Senators, he was a shrewd leader, astute businessman, and promoter of Cuban baseball players - under his tenure, 35 Cuban players would take the field for the Senators. Griffith was also responsible for organizing a nationwide fundraiser to send $150,000 worth of athletic equipment to American GIs serving in Europe during WWI. Graded VG+ 3.5 by PSA, the card boasts strong contrast and centering, with square corners and a clean reverse, some minor surface abrasions on the back seemingly responsible for the technical assessment. Still, an outstanding card of an important figure in the history of the game.
beyond his left foot. There’s rounding to the corners and a small, round “out” in the upper right border while the reverse has just a couple small spots of foxing-it’s one of the nicer examples you’ll ever see.
MINIMUM BID: $1,500
33. 1887 N172 Old Judge Cigarettes Ned Hanlon (HOF) - PSA VG 3
A key architect of “inside” baseball, “Foxy Ned” Hanlon is probably best known as the manager for the innovative Baltimore Orioles teams of the mid 1890s. Under Hanlon’s direction, that ballclub emphasized what we know today as “small ball,” utilizing bunts, hit-and-runs, double steals, squeeze plays, and of course, the “Baltimore chop” as ways of manufacturing runs. Though Hanlon did have a 13-year career as an outfielder, it is his baseball mind that got him into the Hall of Fame, and his strategies continue to find
MINIMUM BID: $1,000
31. 1887 N172 Old Judge Billy Hamilton (HOF - Stooping to Field Grounder) - PSA GOOD 2
Sharp, clean card of Hall of Famer “Sliding Billy” Hamilton, one of the greatest players of his era, whose 912 lifetime stolen bases are good for third-best of all-time. Among the more difficult Hall of Famers in the N172 issue, Hamilton’s cards are quite desirable among advanced collectors. With eye appeal that far surpasses the grade assigned by PSA, the image clarity and contrast is strong for the issue. Some light staining and foxing is visible at the top edge, but the primary culprit responsible for the lower technical grade is some visible staining and what appears to be paper remnants on the reverse, likely from scrapbook removal.
success in the game today.
SUMMER 2023 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES AUGUST 19, 2023 27 MINIMUM BID: $750 Graded VG 3 by PSA, this example is catalogued was pose #212-2, with extremely strong image contrast, the outfielder holding his bat in front of the familiar studio backdrop seen on so many N172 cards of Detroit players. Hanlon was a key member of the great Detroit Wolverines teams, winning the championship in 1887 against the St. Louis Browns. His Detroit uniform is clear and visible on this outstanding card, which has received its grade due to general wear and no single underlying technical flaw.
MINIMUM BID: $1,500
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