(LOT 11)
Extremely Scarce 1889 N172 Old Judge Tim Keefe "251-7 Pitch, Hands Above Waist, Facing Front" Pose (SGC EX 5) - "1 of 1"; Highest Graded 251-7 SGC Example!
RARE KEEFE!!! Presented here is one of the more desirable N172 Old Judge Cards in existence, a superb SGC EX 5 specimen of Hall of Fame right-hander Tim Keefe in his "Pitch, Hands Above Waist, Facing Front 251-7" pose as outlined in the hobby's prestigious "Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Company" publication. The sole "251-7" example at this plateau, it stands as the highest SGC graded copy for this particular pose. The pitching ace of the incredible Giant's 1888 championship team, "rubber-arm" Keefe throttled the Brown's in the championship series by winning an astounding 4 games in the best of 10 series! Owner of 342 lifetime wins, Keefe was arguably, the greatest 19th century pitcher.

One of the earliest change-up artists, Keefe perfection of this off-speed pitch assisted him in winning over 40 games twice in his stellar career and accumulating and amazing six consecutive 30-win seasons. Typical with a myriad of surviving N172 examples, Keefe's hallowed image exhibits a somewhat light contrast, as the legendary right-hander prepares to unleash another one of his seemingly infinite number of pitches. The lower border caption tells us this card was issued in 1889, a year before Keefe would join John Montgomery Ward as two of the major players in creating the upstart 1890 Players League. Excellent centering, relatively clean surfaces, and even corner wear consistent with the grade complete this 131-year old heirloom that represents one of our National Pastime's all-time greatest hurlers in eye pleasing mid-grade condition!

MIN BID $1,000
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