Hugh N. "Little Nick" Nicol (erroneously spelled on this card as Nicholl) was a Right Fielder and Second Baseman who played 10 seasons in the majors. From 1883 through 1886, Nicol played for the St. Louis Browns of the American Association, helping the team reach the 1885 World Series where they tied the Chicago White Stockings 3-3-1. He led all major leagues with 138 steals in 1887, then followed that up with 103 the next year, and 80 the year after that. Nicol has eight different poses in the N172 set. This issue is known as his "Brown's Champions" card within the set, featuring a portrait image of Nicholl from 1886/87, wearing his Browns uniform and magnificent striped cap.

Centering is just a touch east and north on the canvas, but it's hard to notice as there is a lot of dead space by design on this one. A glamorous closeup of the player with his striped cap is beautifully set within an arched outline, "ST. LOUIS" clearly visible across his chest. The printing is high enough quality that you can see the rosiness of his left cheek as he stares off into the distance. Sharp corners and crisp edges help this card grade as highly as it has. The back is as wonderfully clean as the front.