(LOT 114)
1914 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson PSA 2 GOOD (MK)
Offered here is one of the most revered baseball cards extant, the highly coveted 1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson in a super eye pleasing PSA 2/MK holder! Whether it is his "Shoeless" or "Black Sox" legacy, every avid enthusiast yearns to own a Joe Jackson card from his playing days. Jackson's sudden departure from the game after the 1920 season limited the number of Jackson cards in the market. Save his rookie card, most would agree that his most desirable issue is Jackson's exalted 1914 Cracker Jack subject. While Cracker Jack baseball cards were inserted in the caramel boxes in both 1914 and 1915, what makes aesthetically pleasing 1914 issues so tough (as opposed to 1915 issues) was that the 1915 cards could be obtained as a set via mail order. The only methodology for collecting the 1914 version was to pull them from the Cracker Jack box, resulting in serious caramel staining on many of these existing subjects. Furthermore, the 1914 issue is the inaugural Cracker Jack issue, with most of the 1915 players mirroring the exact image used for the 1914 set. This justifies why many collecting purists disregard the 1915 set, placing an extreme emphasis on gathering the 1914 stars.

Only Babe Ruth can boast the myriad of baseball anecdotes applied to the great Joe Jackson including "Shoeless Joe", "Black Betsy" and one of the most famous quotes in baseball history "Say it ain't so Joe"! Jackson's legacy began way before he played in his first Major League game with the Philadelphia A's in 1908. While playing with the minor league Greenville club in the Carolina Association, Jackson developed painful blisters due to breaking in a new pair of spikes. The next game he played without shoes with only his black stockings covering his feet. During the game as he rounded third base after hitting a long home run, one fan finally noticed and shouted "you shoeless sonofagun"! A sportswriter picked up on this, printed it the next day, and the "Shoeless" Joe legend was officially born. After entering the Major Leagues, Jackson's hitting dominance continued to emerge for both the Cleveland and Chicago American clubs to the tune of a .356 lifetime average. Unfortunately, this run was tragically cut short when Jackson was banned from baseball forever for, allegedly, taking part in throwing the 1919 World Series. In lieu of this, Jackson was never placed in the HOF; however, due to the "Black Sox" scandal, his popularity has increased profoundly.

His remarkable hitting prowess is depicted in a classic Jackson batting image as "Shoeless Joe" follows through after hitting another scalding line drive with his famous Black Betsy. The swinging pose portrays awesome contrast, set against a "fire engine" red background. Atypically and most significant is the nearly "dead-on" 50/50 centering that rarely surfaces for any Cracker Jack subject, let alone the "Shoeless" Joe card that is nearly impossible to find with a well-positioned image. The entire image slightly favors the right edge, with minimal staining along the lower border. The edging is fine, and the evenly worn corners portray a fine eye pleasing uniformity. still retain a significant portion of their original square shape. Its rather harsh "2" assessment is due to a few stray wrinkles (one diagonal crease most notably near the upper left corner), a caramel corn stain near the lower left corner and diminutive scattered stains barely visible to the naked eye.

For full disclosure, the "MK" qualifier is for a modest vertical stray line affixed directly to the right of his Black Betsy that is barely noticeable versus the superb overall aesthetics. The reverse side bold black print is vividly registered, and the background depicts minimal stating versus so many of the typically stain-ridden Jackson Cracker Jacks. One of the finest low-grade Jackson examples you will ever come across, its imposing central image and outstanding centering "steal the show"; and while we would not expect the most passionate hobbyists to clear their property to build a "Field of Dreams", if you bid strong this magnificent 1914 Joe Jackson Cracker Jack will come!

MIN BID $3,000
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