(LOT 9)
1887 Gypsy Queen N175 Buck Ewing "Catch-Hands Head High" Image (SGC VG+ 3.5) - "1 of 1"; Only One Graded Higher on the COMBINED SGC & PSA "Pop" Charts!
In 1887, the New York based Goodwin & Co. tobacco firm utilized baseball player cards to promote their Gypsy Queen and Old Judge cigarette brands. While Gypsy Queen N175 cards utilized similar poses found on Old Judge N172 issues, they are immensely scarcer, with only an approximate 25% of the 523 Old Judge subjects discovered in the obscure Gypsy Queen format (there are roughly 134 known Gypsy Queen subjects). In fact, the COMBINED PSA and SGC population reports list only approximately 200 Gypsy Queen specimens, a paltry 1.3% or mere fraction of the nearly 16,000 encapsulated Old Judges! Seldom surfacing in the hobby, it is a daunting task to locate any Gypsy Queen subject, let alone one representing one of baseball's most distinguished 19th century Cooperstown inductees. Presented here just happens to be one of those iconic pre-1900 Hall of Famers, a stellar SGC 3.5 Buck Ewing "Pop 1" that has only been bested by a SOLE example on BOTH the SGC & PSA "Pop" Charts (there are no PSA encapsulated N175 Buck Ewing subjects). Considered by most historians as our National Pastime's premier 19th catcher, Buck Ewing was one of baseball's finest versatile players.

A lifetime .300+ hitter, Ewing had single seasons where he led the National League in home runs and triples and, amazingly, hit 15 or more triples five times in his illustrious career. He also managed to play both 1st base and the outfield, averaging an incredible 37 stolen bases a year (once this statistic was officially recorded). For these reasons alone, 19th century enthusiasts painstakingly seek his most treasured cardboard keepsakes, with this ultra-rare Buck Ewing N175 cardboard treasure emanating aesthetics consistent with the grade. His classic sepia-toned "Catch – Hands Head High" image reveals superb resolution and suitable contrast, with the illustration's positioning favoring the left edge. An obvious right edge "diamond-cut" does not detract from the fine overall aesthetics, and no glaring surface flaws are evident on either side. Additional minor blemishes include even corner wear (resulting in an eye pleasing uniformity), some negligible soiling along the upper right edges, and a diminutive surface "nick" along the lower left edge. More prevalent than these trivial flaws, however, is this magnificent memento's sheer existence, with the immortal Buck Ewing's image and irrefutable Gypsy Queen "Pop Chart" rarity combining to place it as a bona-fide addition to any world-class 19th century gathering!

MIN BID $2,000
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