(LOT 178)
Super Scarce 1906 Lincoln Publishing Chief Bender (SGC Fair 1.5)
One of the scarcest and most desirable pre-1910 cardboard issues is the 1906 Lincoln Publishing Company 20-postcard set issued to commemorate the Philadelphia Athletics 1905 American League Championship. Four Hall of Famers are included in this set with the Cooperstown inductees being Eddie Plank, Rube Waddell, Connie Mack and Chief Bender. It is Albert "Chief" Bender's subject that we are proud to offer here in a super eye pleasing SGC 1.5 holder, one of only six examples on the SGC "Pop" Charts (PSA has not graded a single Chief Bender specimen). While the New York Giants decimated Connie Mack's Athletics in the 1905 World Series four games to one (courtesy of Christy Mathewson's three shutouts), it was Bender's Game #2 shutout that prevented a sweep, with the "Chief" outdueling Iron Man Joe McGinnity by a 3-0 score.

Author of over 200 victories and four single-season E.R.A.s less than 2.00, Bender was called upon "time after time" by Connie Mack to deliver a crucial World Series win. Bender did not disappoint his immortal manager, winning six World Series games in assisting the A's in winning three World Championships. Although only graded "Fair 1.5", this rare offering likewise provides championship-caliber aesthetics, highlighted by the immortal Chief Bender portrait pose originally taken by iconic photographer Carl Horner. Easily presenting itself in "VG" fashion, the assessment has been downgraded due to some stray areas of faint soiling, most of which are barely noticeable to the naked eye. The bold/vivid captions and unmarked postcard verso are the final compliments for one of Chief Bender's most obscure and highly coveted turn of the century cardboard keepsakes!

MIN BID $400
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