(LOT 15)
1887 Old Judge N172 Cap Anson "11-1 Bust Portrait, No Arms Visible" Pose (PSA 3)
The legendary Adrian "Cap" Anson unquestionably resides as one of the most sought after and distinguished Old Judge Cigarettes subjects. His iconic portrait image affixed to the stiff blank back cardboard has become one of the hallowed hobby cardboard collectibles, especially for 19th century purists. With that in mind, presented here is the revered Cap Anson N172 Old Judge specimen in a splendid PSA 3 holder, with the image representing the "11-1 Bust Portrait, No Arms Visible" subject as presented in the renowned periodical "The Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Company (1886-1890)." Cap Anson's premier status amongst 19th century enthusiasts is no secret. The Hall of Fame 1st baseman of the Chicago club was the first member of the illustrious 3,000 hit club, and ended a remarkable 27-year career with a .329 lifetime batting average. Furthermore, he clubbed 97 home runs (once hitting five dingers over a two-game span) in an era where only a handful of round-trippers was a formidable feat.

The offered example atypically portrays an outstanding sepia-toned portrait image of the immortal Hall of Famer, with its bold contrast atypical for most Old Judge N172 subjects that generally exhibit light illustrations. While subtle corner wear is the primary defect preventing a higher grade, their eye pleasing uniformity contributes to the overall superior aesthetics. The obverse side surface reflects no obtrusive blemishes, and the verso only reveals a negligible area of soiling. Although this N172's overall aesthetics surpass its current assessment, its magnificent eye appeal is far more prevalent than the grade. It cannot be underestimated the significance of a Cap Anson Old Judge subject for it provides us with a direct link to the origin of our revered game and its 19th century heroes. Considering that Anson resides as one of our National Pastime's earliest immortals via his status as baseball's inaugural 3,000 hit club member, this exalted Old Judge keepsake merits a final resting place in any esteemed 19th century gathering!

MIN BID $1,250
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