(LOT 6)
1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson PSA 8 NM-MT
SHOELESS JOE!!!... It is our distinguished honor to present one of the most coveted cardboard masterpieces in existence; an absolutely extraordinary 1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson offering in a PSA 8 holder. Needless to say, this "pack-fresh" specimen suffices as one of Jackson's rarest cards based on its miraculous technical assessment. Ultra-popular with enthusiasts, Cracker Jack baseball cards share the distinction with the T206 "Monster Set" as the most exalted pre-WWI issue. Its seemingly endless list of stars including Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, etc., with its premier 1915 subject being none other than "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. Obtaining a "mint" 1915 Cracker Jack "Jackson" PSA example is virtually an impossible task, with only 2 examples graded higher than this museum worthy masterpiece. So, it is "safe to say" that nearly all elite collector will have to accept the task of obtaining one of the still scarce PSA 8's. Whether it is his "Shoeless" or "Black Sox" legacy, most advanced enthusiasts yearn to add a prestigious Joe Jackson card to their elite collection.

Jackson's sudden departure from the game after the 1920 season limited the number of Jackson cards in the market, and his most popular issue are the 1914/1915 Cracker Jack subjects. Only Babe Ruth can boast the myriad of baseball anecdotes applied to the great Joe Jackson including "Shoeless Joe", "Black Betsy" and one of the most famous quotes in baseball history "Say it ain't so Joe"! Jackson's unbridled legacy began significantly before he played in his first Major League game with Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's in 1908. While playing with the minor league Greenville club in the Carolina Association, Jackson developed painful blisters due to breaking in a new pair of spikes. The next game he played without shoes with only his black stockings affixed to his feet. During the game as he rounded third base after hitting a long home run, one fan finally noticed and shouted "you shoeless sonofagun"! A sportswriter pick up on this, printed it the next day, and the legend of "Shoeless" Joe was born. After entering the Major Leagues, Jackson's hitting dominance continued to emerge for both the Cleveland and Chicago White Sox clubs to the tune of a .356 lifetime average.

This run was tragically cut short when near the end of the 1920 season Jackson was banned from baseball forever, for allegedly taking part in "throwing" the 1919 World Series. In lieu of this scandal, Jackson was never placed in the HOF; however, due to his inclusion with the "Black Sox Eight", his popularity has increased profoundly. His unparalleled batting prowess was clearly evident among his most competitive peers, with both Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth clearly indicating that Joe Jackson was the greatest hitter they ever saw. It is for all of these reasons that Jackson has established a nearly unequivocal status among the hobby's foremost collectors, and what better possible cardboard gem to pursue than one of Jackson's foremost Cracker Jack keepsakes. The overall aesthetics of this miraculous heirloom simply takes your breath away via "jaw dropping" Jackson batting image as the iconic slugger demonstrates his incredible hitting prowess.

The immortal pose depicts Jackson completing his hallowed swing after hitting what is most likely another scalding line drive with his famous Black Betsy. Crystal clear clarity and impeccable registration merit the finest possible accolades, the "fire engine" red background is virtually flawless, and the entire image is well centered between four absolutely dazzling white borders. A modest, almost negligible, "tilt" towards the upper right corner is more than overshadowed by the aforementioned immaculate central image and four blistering sharp corner tips. As a final exclamation point to its sheer eminence, the reverse side jet-black typography is vividly registered against a super clean white surface. To reiterate, only two other PSA specimens have bested this exalted gem, substantiating its utmost reverence. One of the finest Joe Jackson cards extant, it certainly merits serious attention from the hobby's most esteemed collectors; and while we would not expect the most passionate hobbyist to clear their property to build a "Field of Dreams", if you bid strong this exalted "Shoeless Joe" Cracker Jack will come!

MIN BID $25,000
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