Perhaps best known as the artist behind the 1970s Fleer World Series issues, sports artist R.G. Laughlin created several baseball sets of his own during the 1970s as well. Perhaps the best-known is the "Old Time Black Stars" issue of 1974. Using illustrations based on photos, and featuring card artwork of brown and tan, the set features 36 players from the Negro Leagues.  Though Laughlin's name does not appear anywhere on the cards, the art and illustrations are unmistakable (and his subsequent 1978 "Long Ago Black Stars" issue, which uses virtually identical art, confirms the suspicion).  The set has grown in popularity as the great players of the Negro Leagues have become more widely-known; the scarcity of original Caribbean issues have led collectors to sets such as this when looking for key Hall of Famers and stars.  We have been fortunate enough to receive a complete, high-grade set of the cards, barely touched since their year of issue.  We elected to submit the key cards to PSA, and are pleased to offer them as individual lots here.

One of the issue's unquestionable keys. Centering is far east on the canvas, enough for PSA to qualify the grade. Cards from the issue are often found off-center;  this example is sharp and crisp otherwise.