(LOT 16)
1904 W600 Sporting Life Cabinet – Napoleon Lajoie – Uniform "Type 3" Variation (PSA Good 2/MK) - The Only PSA Listed "Type 3" W600 Lajoie!
The W600 Sporting Life Cabinet Photo-types were issued from 1902 thru 1911 by the Sporting Life weekly newspaper in 5" x 7-1/2" size with four different "Mount Types" issued for many of its colossal number of subjects. One of the set's most prestigious subjects is presented here in an outstanding "PSA Good 2/MK" holder, the renowned Hall of Fame 2nd sacker Napoleon Lajoie reflecting a 1904 "Type 3" Mount that is evident by the absence of the "COMPLIMENTS OF" text directly above the "crossed bats" on the lower border. Regarding its immense paucity level, this just happens to be the SOLE "Type 3" specimen listed on the PSA "Pop Chart", with only two other encapsulated Lajoie "uniform" subjects listed without any "Type" designation.

Of utmost significance is that this magnificent portrait pose is the exact same Carl Horner image utilized for Lajoie's iconic T206 portrait subject, as well as his renowned E96 Philadelphia caramel candy card. Lajoie surely stands as one of the most respected and idolized ball players the game has ever produced, with his virtually unparalleled legacy "echoing for eternity". His batting excellence earned him the Triple Crown in 1901, a season he batted a remarkable .426 which still stands as the modern-day (post-1900) record! When it was all said and done, Lajoie ended his illustrious career with 3,244 hits to the tune of a .338 lifetime average. No conversation regarding who is the greatest 2nd baseman ever excludes his name, right along with Hornsby and Collins.

Regarding this ultra-obscure offering's sparkling eye appeal, the classic and highly desirable Carl Horner portrait image virtually "jumps" off the card, brilliantly presented in a near-blemish free interior frame. The exterior surrounding area of the central image is predominately clean, with four strong right-angled corners exhibiting minimal wear and only some faint print marks (most likely from an adjoining scrapbook page) situated near the upper right edge. As is the case with the other W600's presented in this auction, accounting for the "MK" qualifier is an extremely faint "(1902)" penned notation directly beneath the central frame that is barely visible to the naked eye.

Obviously removed from a scrapbook, the flipside reveals scattered areas of glue remnants that are predominately responsible for the "2" technical assessment. Yet, as most enthusiasts would attest to, of greater significance than the PSA grade is the unquestionable rarity, magnificent obverse side aesthetics, and the sheer existence of the legendary Nap Lajoie portrait pose that would eventually grace one of his immortal T206 subjects!

MIN BID $800
_