(LOT 21)
1916 Famous & Barr #176 Jim Thorpe SGC 4.5 VG-EX+
LEGENDARY BRIGHT PATH!!! The most valuable Jim Thorpe cardboard issue is his highly coveted 1916 M101-5 #176 subject. Considered to be his true mainstream rookie card, it is only preceded by Thorpe's 1913 undersized Colgan Chips disk and some stray early 1910s postcards. Playing second fiddle to the Babe Ruth rookie, the M101-5 set's next two most prized subjects are Thorpe's #176 and Joe Jackson's #86 subjects, with Jim Thorpe only issued in the M101-5 series that included blank backs, Famous & Barr, Standard Biscuit, Morehouse Baking, Successful Farming and Holmes to Homes backs. Thorpe's scarcity derives from the fact that he did not play in the 1916 baseball season, with the Felix Mendelssohn printing company removing his subject from the later printed M101-4 Sporting News series and replacing Thorpe with Cleveland Indians' Terry Turner. As vintage enthusiasts are well aware, the M101-4 related sets include a greater number of ad-back issues, ultimately denying collectors the opportunity to capture more Jim Thorpe M101 cards.

Presented is a spectacular SGC 4.5 VG-EX+ 1916 Jim Thorpe M101-5 Famous & Barr back with this POP 1 SGC rarity, bested by a single SGC Famous & Barr example! This classic Thorpe "real photo" illustration reveals absolutely sensational clarity and contrast, eluding any obtrusive central surface flaws and/or glaring creases. Though fairly even corner wear is evident, with the upper left displaying a light water spot, the subject image is superb with Thorpe, bat in hand, ready for action. Minimal paper loss visible at upper right corner. Arguably the greatest athlete that ever lived offered here on his sensational rookie issue!

MIN BID $10,000
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