In 1894, Sam Thompson joined Ed Delahanty and Billy Hamilton to become the only HOF outfield to have all three fielders hit above .400 in a single season. An offensive powerhouse, the good-natured Thompson was known for his home runs, one of the greatest power hitters of the 19th Century. The first left-handed hitter to club 20 home runs in a season, Thompson averaged nearly one RBI per game for the entirety of his 15-year career.
Graded GOOD 2 by PSA, this is the only example of this cabinet photo graded by PSA. Though all N173 cabinets are rare, examples featuring Thompson are incredibly so. Light soiling is evident throughout, with some added staining on the reverse. The image itself exhibits very little of the fading common with Old Judge cards, overall quite appealing despite the wear. Corresponding with pose #456-5 in the N172 Old Judge issue, this image sets Thompson against the familiar stadium backdrop, the right fielder posed as if about to swing at an incoming pitch. A rare pose from one of the most desirable of all 19th Century issues.