Distributed in tins of Violet Chips and Mint Chips gum by the Colgan's Gum Company, the "Stars of the Diamond" issue features 1 7/16" diameter cards printed on delicate paper. Distributed between 1909 and 1911, there are a number of variations among the issue resulting in at least 289 different cards featuring more than 225 different subjects. The result is a fascinating set sometimes known as E254 Colgan's Chips. Complete sets are virtually impossible to assemble with some of the reported variations not even confirmed. Given their method of distribution it should be no surprise that they are particularly condition-sensitive and that a lower-grade examples are the norm.

Though we often found ourselves struggling to assess the condition of the small, round E254 issue, seeing a nice example such as this beautiful Joe Kelly helps crystallize things a bit.

The image has some light snow, though there are very few signs of the mild edge chipping often found with the issue. Centering is slightly west on the canvas, and there is some faint soiling of the reverse, but this is an extraordinary example seldom seen with this sort of visual appeal.

SGC has only ever graded 5 total examples of this E254 Colgan's Chip, with NONE receiving a higher grade than the VG-EX 4 offered here of Hall of Famer Joe Kelly.