(LOT 3)
1888-1889 Old Judge N173 Cabinet Buck Ewing 149-8 Bat in Right Hand at Side PSA 4 VG-EX - The Sole 149-8 Example on the PSA Pop Chart!
PSA POP 1 EWING!!!... This extremely rare PSA 4 VG-EX 1888-1889 Old Judge N173 149-8 Bat in Right Hand at Side Cabinet of legendary Hall of Famer Buck Ewing just happens to be the SOLE 149-8 example on the illustrious PSA Pop Chart! It should be noted that SGC's census report currently lists nine unidentified N173 Ewing cabinets for his 11 Old Judge poses, none of which are linked to a specific Ewing image. This classic Ewing heirloom is his 149-8 - Bat in Right Hand at Side pose as portrayed in the renowned "Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Company (1886-1890)" publication that stands as the bible of 19th century Old Judge/Gypsy Queen cards. Due to the immense popularity of the 1887 Old Judge and Gypsy Queen cigarette baseball cards, beginning in 1988, Goodwin & Company augmented their promotional concept by encouraging tobacco users to send in 25 boxes or Old Judge slips included in the cigarette packs to receive an oversized sepia-toned photograph affixed to a 4-1/4" x 6-1/2" mount. Categorized as N173s, known examples for 26 of the 27 Cooperstown inductees currently exist (there is no known Comiskey cabinet).

The tobacco smoking community had their choice of cabinet cards to choose from, with one of the greatest 19th century players being the legendary Buck Ewing. A lifetime .303 hitter, Hall of Famer Buck Ewing is widely considered the finest catcher of his day. He had single seasons where he led the National League in home runs as well as triples, incredibly stroking 15 or more triples five times in his spectacular career. His 18-year tenure commenced in 1880 with the Troy Haymakers, and in 1883 he joined the New York Gothams, ably assisting the Big Apple club (now called the Giants) to capture their first two National League pennants and world championships (1888 and 1889). After jumping ship to the Player's League in 1890, which disbanded after a single season, he returned to the Giants for two more seasons, eventually playing his final five seasons with Cleveland (2) and Cincinnati (3). While catching was his primary position, he demonstrated his remarkable versatility and athleticism by also playing all four infield positions, outfield and even pitcher! Every discussion involving the greatest 19th century players includes the iconic Ewing, substantiating why sophisticated card enthusiasts painstakingly pursue his ultra-obscure cardboard issues.

Only a handful of them could possibly compete with this POP 1 PSA Old Judge keepsake revealing his classic bat-at-side illustration. The bygone image portrays fine clarity and a somewhat lighter contrast, a typical attribute for a vast number of Old Judge N172 and 173 subjects. Relatively fine centering, even corner wear exhibiting a splendid eye-pleasing uniformity, and the lack of any notable surface flaws on either side are additional highlights supporting the desirable PSA 4 rating. The white typography directly to the left of Ewing's right stocking ("Copyright 1889 Goodwin & Co., N.Y."), as well as beneath his cleats ("BUCK EWING, C. NEW YORK'S.") is completely intact, and the resounding sepia-toned "OLD JUDGE CIGARETTES Goodwin & Co., New York." print affixed along the lower border is bold and vivid. Accounting for the assessment is general surface wear including some spotted toning, a faint diagonal wrinkle near the lower right corner, and some areas of diminutive chipping along the edges. One of the most significant Buck Ewing cards extant, it has miraculously survived the past 135 years to present itself in super eye-pleasing condition, anxiously awaiting a new home in one of the most esteemed 19th century collections!

MIN BID $4,000
_