(LOT 107)
1912 L1 Leather #135 Helmar Premium - Walter Johnson
BIG TRAIN LEATHER!!! Walter Johnson's iconic stature as baseball's greatest pitcher elevates this ultra-rare 1912 L1 Leather #135 premium to world-class stature. Issued in 1912 by the Helmar Tobacco Co., L1 Leathers are considered among the hobby's scarcest artifacts. Horsehide shaped leathers measuring approximately 9-7/8" x 11-1/2" and portraying black sketched images were issued as a premium with the company's Turkish Trophies cigarette brand, and 50 Helmar coupons were required in exchange for a single L1 Leather. Available baseball players numbered 25, with the images exactly the same as the poses utilized on the popular T3 Turkey Reds and S81 silks (five of the L1 subjects are omitted from the T3 set, including Alexander, Marquard, O'Toole, Benton and Ford).

The Big Train's classic black sketching, widely recognized on his T3 Turkey Red, has miraculously retained a majority of its original eye-pleasing qualities. Obviously removed from a scrapbook, the verso exhibits five areas of tape residue. While there are scattered areas of soiling, stray wrinkles, general surface wear and a crease that runs from the left to right edge directly through Johnson's chest, the critical central image still portrays stellar aesthetics and the "JOHNSON – Washington" caption is completely intact. All of the five lower and upper flaps exhibit more obtrusive wear/soiling, and the #135 checklist number is no longer evident on the bottom flap. Seldom does the opportunity come along to own any Helmar Leather, let alone one representing the immortal Walter Johnson, justifying why you should ride this Big Train Leather directly into the heart of your collection!

MIN BID $1,500
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