(LOT 14)
1904 W600 Sporting Life Cabinet – Wee Willie Keeler - Street Clothes "Type 3" Variation (PSA Good 2/MK) - The Only PSA Listed "Type 3" W600 Keeler!
One of the hobby's most fascinating baseball card issues are the earliest known 20th century W600 Sporting Life Cabinets distributed from 1902 thru 1911 by the Sporting Life weekly newspaper. Measuring 5" x 7-1/2" in size, they include some of our National Pastime's greatest Hall of Famers, and are highly coveted by the most advanced hobbyists. The specimens include four different style mounts, with many of the subjects residing as rookie card issues. With that in mind, presented here is a spectacular "PSA Good 2/MK" 1904 W600 Keeler in a "Type 3" format, with that designation based on "crossed baseball bats" along the lower border that EXCLUDE the text "Compliments Of" (W600's including the verbiage "Compliments Of" directly above the crossed bats are deemed "Type 2" versions).

Its utmost rarity is substantiated by the PSA "Pop" Chart that lists this "fresh to the hobby" offering as the SOLE Type 3 "Street Clothes" mount, with the three additional listed "Street Clothes/Brooklyn" versions just happening to be Keeler's Type 1 subjects. Legendary Hall of Famer Wee Willie Keeler was one of the best line drive hitters in baseball history. Owner of almost 3,000 lifetime hits and a .343 lifetime batting average, his statistics are a by-product of his famous "hit 'em where they ain't" and "keep your eye on the ball" quotes. He is one of the few great ballplayers that enjoyed Cooperstown worthy statistics in both the 19th and 20th centuries and his cardboard rarities are highly coveted by advanced collectors. Regarding its overall condition, Keeler's classic Carl Horner portrait "street clothes" pose is brilliant to say the least, emanating superior contrast and resolution as well as four square corners.

While accurately graded due to a faint and partially erased "(1902)" notation beneath the central frame, of utmost importance is the superb eye appeal of the awe-inspiring Keeler central image, with this offering presenting "EX+" obverse side eye appeal. No glaring surface flaws are evident, with the rather strict technical assessment solely due to glue remnants from scrapbook removal on the blank flipside. Keeler spent an entire career stroking baseballs all over the field, literally placing his hits in unoccupied areas with a "godly-like" batting touch, and synonymous with that notion, you should emulate "Wee Willie" himself by "placing" this magnificent cabinet in your prized collection!

MIN BID $800
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