40. 1887 N690 Kalamazoo Bats Charlie Buffington - SGC EX 5
After seasons of 587 and 434 innings pitched, Boston Beaneaters pitcher Charles Buffinton (misspelled “Buffington” on this N690 card) suffered with arm trouble, his play limited to “just” 151 innings in 1886 (only two of the five starting pitchers on the 2023 World Champion Texas Rangers pitched more innings). As a result, his contract was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies in the Spring of 1887, where he would experience a rebound, winning 21 games or more in each of the next three seasons, despite being portrayed on this card as an outfielder (where he would also play 22 games in 1887). As is the case with the known Kalamazoo Bats cards of all Buffinton’s teammates, the photo was taken outdoors at the Baker Bowl (known then as the Huntingdon Street Grounds), the team’s new park. These photos are gorgeous, and represent some of the best examples of early ballpark photography. In this case, Buffinton stands posed as if to deliver a pitch, several teammates visible in the background, what appears to be the the outfield fences in the distance. Graded EX 5 by SGC, this is extremely high-grade for the issue (they have graded just 14 examples of any card higher than this). A clear, sharp image is well-centered on the canvas, with four slightly-touched but still square corners and a clean surface. An exceptional card, one of the most pleasing examples we have handled.
MINIMUM BID: $2,000
41. 1887 N172 Old Judge Cigarettes #358-4 Jim O’Rourke (HOF) - PSA GOOD 2 (MK)
Though well-known among today’s collectors as a 19th Century Hall of Famer, “Orator” Jim O’Rourke’s post-playing career is nearly as interesting as his seasons in the majors. Never truly able to get baseball out of his blood, O’Rourke took a turn as a National League umpire after retirement, then became involved in politics. In 1895 he assembled an independent professional team called the Bridgeport Victors, hiring a Black outfielder named Harry Herbert, who played for O’Rourke for four years. O’Rourke continued as a minor league player, manager, and league executive, dividing his time between baseball and his roles as Bridgeport fire commissioner and member of the Connecticut Bar Association, Elks Club, and Knights of Columbus. In 1904, the 54-year-old O’Rourke joined the New York Giants for one final game, catching the pennant-clinching game, going 1-for-4 at the plate. Though the card has been graded GOOD 2 (MK) by PSA, the overall visual appeal of the card is strong. Image contrast is quite good for the issue, the bulk of the wear related to the edges and corners. Some light foxing is visible on the back, as are some small pencil notations responsible for the qualifier. An exceptional example of a key Hall of Famer from the Old Judge issue.
MINIMUM BID: $1,000
SPRING 2024 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES MARCH 30, 2024 29
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