Easily the most popular of all the 1920s strip card sets, the W514 set of 1919-21 features a large checklist of 120 players. Issued in 10-card strips, they were meant to be cut along dotted lines, separating each card. The result - as with many strip cards - is a host of off-condition cards that were often torn rather than carefully cut. As a result, miscuts and poorly-shorn borders are common condition flaws. The flimsy paper on which the cards were printed is also an issue, making high-grade examples very difficult to obtain. 

Chicago's Eddie Cicotte is the subject of this hand cut example which is centered beautifully on this surprisingly standard-looking card. Nice edges, especially for a card which has been hand cut, though the right side strays a bit from the printed dotted line meant to guide the cut. Corners are consistent with the grade, though the top right has an imperfection. The gorgeous, bold colors and the immaculate closeup view of the interlocking S-O-X logo on Cicotte's chest give this significant card absolutely tremendous eye appeal.

Cicotte was one of the ring leaders of the Black Sox Scandal in the 1919 World Series and was banned for life from the game for his role. This was one of the last cards issued during Cicotte's playing career, along with his 1920-21 Holsum Bread D327 example and some 1920 issues of the W516 and W519 sets.

SGC has only ever graded 37 total examples of this W514, with only eighteen receiving a higher grade than the VG+ 3.5 offered here of Eddie Cicotte.