(LOT 237)
1909 T206 Addie Joss "Portrait" – Sweet Caporal 150 Subjects/Factory 30 (PSA EX/MT 6)
The beloved right-handed Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame twirler Addie Joss is one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball history with his microscopic 1.89 E.R.A. standing as the second lowest all-time figure (behind Ed Walsh's 1.84 mark). Author of two no-hitters, in 1908 Joss tossed a perfect game against the Chicago White Sox when he bested the legendary Ed Walsh 1-0 in one of the greatest pitched games in baseball history. Joss cards hold a special place with pure vintage collectors since he tragically passed away in April 1911, the victim of spinal meningitis. Strikingly similar to the legacies of both Lou Gehrig and Roberto Clemente, Addie Joss will always be best remembered for his sudden and tragic death, with its unforeseen circumstances even surpassing his status as one of our National Pastime's finest hurlers.

It therefore comes as little surprise that collectors actively seek his most cherished cardboard artifacts with arguably none more popular than his T206 portrait example. One of those fine eye pleasing Addie Joss examples is presented here, an outstanding PSA EX/MT 6 "portrait" Sweet Caporal 150 Subjects specimen of the immortal Hall of Famer. Currently, PSA's prestigious "Pop" chart indicates that only 5 other Sweet Caporal specimens exist at this desirable plateau with 10 higher graded examples. This Addie Joss jewel depicts a brilliant Carl Horner portrait-pose emulating "world class" aesthetics.

The illustration exhibits bright facial hues and the imposing central image is affixed to a radiant yellow background. Atypically, the classic pose reflects fine "side to side" centering, with the horizontal positioning certainly favoring the upper edge. Four blinding white borders, square corners consistent with a NM/7 assessment and relatively clean surfaces are the final superlatives justifying the EX/MT grade. Unquestionably, this Cooperstown worthy offering resides as one of the more formidable Addie Joss tobacco cards extant, with its superior visual appeal certainly defying "father-time!"

MIN BID $300
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