(LOT 142)
1909-11 T206 Joe Tinker Bat Off Shoulder Lenox Brown PSA 1.5 FR – Only Known Copy!
BROWN LENOX TINKER!!!... Along with the hallowed "Ty Cobb King of the Smoking World" and Brown Old Mill T206 cigarette advertisements, the Brown Lenox firmly stands as one of the three rarest of all T206 ad-backs. Near-impossible-to-locate, the renowned T206 Resource website reveals the scarcity level of all 39 possible T206 ad backs, substantiating the top three rarities as follows: (1) Ty Cobb King of the Tobacco Smoking World; (2) Brown Old Mill; and (3) Brown Lenox. Locating any of those three T206 cigarette ads in any grade is an excruciating task, justifying why this unique PSA 1.5 FR T206 Brown Lenox Joe Tinker Bat Off Shoulder offering truly stands as one of the most coveted T206s on the planet.

The sole example listed on the PSA Pop Chart, to the best of our knowledge, is the only such known specimen, worthy of a final resting place in any world-class T206 gathering. As is the case for any cardboard scarcity, while another undiscovered example may be tucked away in a private collection, this POP 1 keepsake merits the highest hobby accolades. To date, full resolution has never been achieved with regard to exactly how the NY Factory No. 30 (2nd District) inadvertently issued a handful of Brown Lenox T206s. Yet, the most significant aspect of this bona fide rarity is not how it achieved its immense paucity level, but its sheer existence. The fact that it is affixed to the tobacco subject of the legendary Cooperstown inductee Joe Tinker adds to its unparalleled desirability, with this slick-fielding Cubbies shortstop ably assisting Chicago in capturing two successive world championships in 1907 and 1908.

The first link of the iconic "Tinker to Evers to Chance" double-play combination, his name will forever be etched in baseball folklore. Tinker's popularity amongst vintage collectors is immense, with the most advanced collectors seeking out his elite cardboard mementos. None could be rarer than this only known Brown Lenox offering that presents a richly hued and relatively well-centered batting image. Accounting for the assessment is scattered soiling and rounded corners, with the critical Brown Lenox ad-back likewise exhibiting some soiling and no obtrusive flaws. Its significant standing within the tobacco collecting community is justified by this exact card fetching a staggering $19,200 in a June 2021 auction, and considering the continuous rise of rare T206 ad-backs since that time, we cannot even begin to estimate its current value. We will leave that dubious task to the sophisticated T206 collector, with this possibly residing as your final opportunity to capture the one and only Brown Lenox Joe Tinker Bat Off Shoulder subject!

MIN BID $4,000
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