43. 1887 N172 Old Judge Cigarettes #440-2 Harry Stovey - SGC FR 1.5 - Obscene Gesture!
45. 1887 N172 Old Judge Cigarettes #478-3 John Ward (HOF) - SGC PR 1
John Ward’s popularity and influence on the game, coupled with the fact that there are nine poses of him featured in the N172 issue, make him one of the set’s more widely-collected Hall of Famers. Despite that, this particular pose is seen less frequently. This 1889 example, issued just before his establishment of the Players’ League, is sharp and clean, printed just slightly enough off-register to result in thick, bold lines that are not overly blurred. The numerical grade is a result of visible scrapbook damage on the
Gorgeous N172 Old Judge featuring Harry Stovey, often mentioned among those Hall of Fame-worthy candidates from the game’s earliest days that have yet to be so enshrined. The image, originating from the Gilbert & Bacon studios of Philadelphia, is quite a controversial one - very similar to the infamous Hoss Radbourne Old Judge card, Stovey is quite clearly offering an obscene gesture at the viewer by “flipping the bird” at the camera while he holds the bat in his right hand. His other fingers are clearly
reverse, with paper remnants and adhesive staining running the length of the card. As is often the case, it is the scrapbook that largely preserved the card, leaving the surface appearing clean as new, with very little fading or surface wear. An outstanding example, just the second of this pose we have ever offered.
folded inward, but the middle figure is quite conspicuous. The grade of FR 1.5 assessed by SGC largely addresses a date stamp and some additional light markings on the reverse, along with some very light glue staining. The surface and image quality, however, far surpass the technical grade.
MINIMUM BID: $1,500
MINIMUM BID: $1,000
46. 1888 N162 Goodwin Champions Cap Anson (HOF) - SGC AUTHENTIC
44. 1887 N172 Old Judge Cigarettes #478-1 John Ward (HOF) - SGC PR 1
The N162 issue may be the most beautiful card set of the 19th Century. A multi-sport set that included eight baseball players, “Champions” were issued in 1888 by Goodwin & Co, the company also responsible for the massive Old Judge series. Setting an early bar for high quality, the set is revered today for its stunning color lithography and superb player selection. One look at this Cap Anson shows why.
John Montgomery Ward won 164 games in just 7 years as a pitcher, after which he became primarily a shortstop and second baseman. He collected more than 2,100 hits, scored more than 1,400 runs, and stole 540 bases in his Hall of Fame career. Ward acted as player/ manager in eight different seasons, and was an integral part of the New York Giants winning back-to-back World Series in 1888 and 1889, collecting 26 hits, stealing 16 bases, and scoring 14 runs in the two series combined.
A golden, setting sun glints off a sky full of clouds behind the mustachioed and well-coiffed White Stockings captain, looking regal in his uniform and brimming with confidence. Fine detail can be seen and it’s apparent that this is a work that was undertaken with care by a trained hand. Well centered but slightly north on the canvas, the card appears a tad short, likely resulting in the AUTHENTIC grade assigned by SGC. Any trim was likely vintage and not done for reasons of deception, as the card still exhibits corner and surface wear that, while not detrimental to its eye appeal, is easily discernible. An outstanding card from one of the most important of all prewar issues.
With nine different poses in the N172 issue, this one is a handsome portrait of New York’s shortstop and captain, looking left while dressed in formal street clothes. The card has been graded PR 1 by SGC, owing primarily to tape and adhesive staining on the reverse, along with an area of discoloration along the bottom edge. The image of Ward itself boasts strong contrast and detail, an outstanding card of a key Hall of Famer.
MINIMUM BID: $1,000
MINIMUM BID: $1,500
SPRING 2025 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES APRIL 5, 2025 33
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