Issued in the late 1890s by the National Tobacco Works, the N566 Newsboy Cabinet set was a massive set that contained hundreds of popular athletes, actresses, locations, politicians and more.  The 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" sepia photographs were mounted on a variety of cardboard backings, many cream in color but in some cases gray with green borders and text.  Newsboy cabinets of baseball players are very highly desirable, particularly due to their extraordinary scarcity.  Just 14 baseball players are known, among more than 600 cabinets discovered thus far, with multiple variations possible.  Of the 14 known baseball players featured in the Newsboy issue, just three depict Hall of Famers: two variations featuring John Ward, and one of Amos Rusie.

Presented here is one of just 7 Newsboy Amos Rusie cabinets to have been graded by SGC (PSA has graded two additional).  Featuring a beautiful image with extraordinary clarity and contrast, the grade of GOOD 2 relates largely to a lower-left corner clip, general corner and edge wear, and some light surface wear on the image and mount.  Overall eye appeal is outstanding, however, a gorgeous specimen featuring a popular Hall of Famer of the era.  Newsboy cabinets featuring baseball players are very difficult to locate, and with just two different Hall of Famers in the set, they are quite desirable when they become available.  Rarely can one be found with this type of eye appeal; simply an outstanding piece.