Annie Pixley, Denman Thompson, and Helen Dauvray are featured on this scarce yet important issue.

According to Ars Longa Art Cards, Dauvray, aka Ida Louisa Gibson, was a child prodigy on the stage whose subsequent real estate investments made her wealthy. By 1887 her acting career was waning, but she had grown accustomed to and still longed for the acclaim accorded theatrical stars of her era.

A love affair with celebrated baseball hero John Montgomery Ward was budding when Helen announced she would commission a “$500 ... true lover’s cup” to be presented annually to the players who triumphed in the “World’s Championship” between the American Association and National League. In an era of shameless self-promotion, Helen’s award gained traction in baseball and cast her back into the spotlight. The couple married on October 12, 1887, and the trophy was awarded until 1893 when they divorced.

It didn’t take long for some to realize that the cup would undoubtedly reside in the team owner’s office, so Dauvray also commissioned medals to be given to individual players, a few of which survive in the Hall of Fame and private collections today.

This is the only example of this 1889 N94 W. Duke Sons Actors & Actresses card SGC has ever graded, with this one receiving a Fair 1.5 grade.