A CURATED SELECTION OF GREAT CARDS
Extremely rare 1988 National League schedule features an actual photograph of Hall of Famer John Clarkson, the lettering underneath the image identical to that of the N338-2 Hess “Big League” issue, to the point that some feel the Hess issue may have been produced by Conly or by the Boston print shop responsible for producing the schedule, Alfred Mudge & Son. This piece is extraordinarily rare, with only a handful of examples known to exist, all featuring Clarkson. The well-constructed card folds out to reveal the complete NL schedule for 1888, with the Boston schedule printed on the reverse, along with some local Ivy League games. Not part of a set, the piece was produced as a joint advertising piece for both Conly Studios and Alfred Mudge & Son Printers, and only featured this image of Clarkson. In a few cases, examples of the photographic portion of the schedule have been discovered trimmed away, to resemble a card. At least two such examples have made their way into SGC holders. This example is far more desirable, because it contains the entire schedule. The photo itself is in outstanding condition, with the schedule itself creating a finished size of 3 3/4” x 6”. The piece is printed on heavy stock, and exhibits some mild surface wear and age-related surface wear, along with some very minor corner wear and foxing, notable at the top right. A small area on the reverse exhibits some very light staining adhesive residue, likely due to clear tape. The entire piece remains in outstanding overall condition. Probably the finest known facial images of Clarkson, and one of the more rare 19th Century pieces we have handled, with only a few examples known. 19. Rare 1888 Conly Studios John Clarkson (HOF) Photo League Schedule Card MINIMUM BID: $5,000 Outstanding cabinet photo picturing one of the most famous of all 19th Century baseball players, Charles “Old Hoss” Radbourn. Perhaps as famous for his photo poses as his pitching, Radbourn is actually the subject of the first known photograph a person “giving the finger,” dating to an 1886 team photo where the pitcher is offering the gesture to the cameraman. Pictured here one year later, Radbourn offers no such gesture here, posing in uniform with his hands clasped in front of him. The cabinet has been graded FR 1 (MK) by PSA due largely to some writing and tape staining on the reverse, along with overall soiling and foxing. The image presents very well, with some visible toning to the photo itself that does not impact the image of Radbourn. Rather than the typical fading often seen with this issue, the toning creates the opposite effect, a darkening of the image itself that brings out more detail than one typically sees with N173s. Some minor surface wear and general scuffing to the mount is apparent, overall an outstanding example of an elusive and highly-prized 19th Century Hall of Famer. 20. 1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinets Hoss Radbourn (HOF) - PSA FR 1.5(MK) MINIMUM BID: $5,000
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