(LOT 149)
Babe Ruth 1922 Neilson's Chocolate Type II (PSA Good 2) - Only 3 Graded Higher"!
The 1922 Neilson's Chocolate set is closely related to the super popular 1922 American Caramel E120 series due to its ornate gray hued designs that frame an oval player image. The "Type I" versions include a checklist number on the front side lower left, and Old English typography advertisement on the reverse versus Type II issues that exhibit NO checklist number and standard verso print (No "Old English"). As with most 1920 issues, the most distinguished, desirable and valuable subject for both issues is the immortal George Herman "Babe" Ruth, with his Type II scarcity presented here in a super eye pleasing PSA 2 holder. Extremely condition sensitive, most of the existing examples appear in low grade, with PSA's "pop" chart justifying that notion by listing 7 others at this tier and only 3 copies graded higher! Rarely do we get excited about a "PSA 2" graded card, but considering its unquestionable obscurity, the "right to own any copy" is far more significant than the actual grade.

A classic Babe Ruth "holding ball" half body image graces the unique oval frame, depicting superb clarity and contrast. One look at this iconic pose freezes time, literally transcending the viewer to this by-gone era when the "Babe" revolutionized baseball via his unparalleled home runs. Fine centering and relatively clean borders enhance the aesthetics of the critical central image, with the even corner wear and scattered surface abrasions on the verso primarily accounting for the technical assessment. It should be noted that a majority of the Neilson's Chocolate subjects depict similar paper loss on the reverse side, most likely due to the candy being affixed to that area of the card. Nevertheless, considering the player it represents, its extremely clean obverse side surface and irrefutable scarcity, the verso's blemishes are more than forgiving. One of the more eclectic Babe Ruth type card issues, we highly advise any serious "Ruthian" enthusiast to seize this seldom surfacing early 1920's heirloom for their prized collection!

MIN BID $750
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