(LOT 16)
1909-11 T206 Fred Merkle Throwing Lenox Brown PSA 3 VG – The Sole PSA Example & One of Only 2 Known Merkle Lenox Brown Copies!
RARE LENOX BROWN!!! The hobby's finest T206 enthusiasts relentlessly pursue the rarest ad-back tobacco cards, and aside from the hallowed "Ty Cobb King of the Smoking World" marvel, the two scarcest T206 cigarette advertisements are the extremely elusive Brown Old Mill and Lenox tobacco versos. Near-impossible to locate, the illustrious T206 Resource website depicts the scarcity level of all 39 possible T206 ad backs, with the top three rarities including (1) Ty Cobb King of the Tobacco Smoking World; (2) Brown Old Mill; and (3) Brown Lenox. Locating any of those three T206 cigarette ads is an excruciating task, justifying why this miraculous PSA 3 VG T206 Brown Lenox Fred Merkle Throwing offering truly stands as one of the most coveted T206s extant.

As the sole example listed on the PSA Pop Chart, to the best of our knowledge, only a single other SGC Merkle Brown Lenox exists! As is the case for any cardboard scarcity, while another undiscovered example may be tucked away in a private collection, this truly rare POP 2 keepsake merits the highest hobby accolades. To date, full resolution has never been achieved with regard to exactly how the NY Factory No. 30 (2nd District) inadvertently issued a handful of Brown Lenox T206s. Yet, the most significant aspect of this bona fide rarity is not how it achieved its immense paucity level, but its sheer existence. A fine first baseman, unfortunately for Merkle, he will be forever known for the iconic "Merkle's Boner" that ultimately cost the Giants the 1908 pennant. In the bottom of the ninth of a tightly contested 1-1 September 23, 1908 game against the Cubs, Merkle failed to step on second base after what should have been a game-winning two-out hit by Giants shortstop Al Bridwell (with Moose McCormick scoring what should have been the decisive run).

The ever-alert Johnny Evers found the baseball, touched second base, and Merkle was called out, discounting the game-winning run. The tied game was replayed a week later with Chicago's ace hurler Mordecai Brown besting the Giants immortal Christy Mathewson and the Cubbies eventually claiming the 1908 pennant by a single game. Merkle's infamous bonehead play is etched in baseball folklore, yet due to his short-sided act, his popularity amongst collectors has increased profoundly. The card itself reveals fine aesthetics, with the bright and well-centered Merkle image eluding any glaring flaws. While even corner wear and some stray wrinkles prevent a higher grade, most significantly, the super eye-pleasing and ultra-elusive Brown Lenox ad back resides as the unparalleled superlative for this extraordinary scarcity!

MIN BID $3,000
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