Lot # 229: Colorful 1890s National League Fine Cut Baseball Trade Card

Category: 19th Century

Starting Bid: $100.00

Bids: 1 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall, 2024 Premier Auction",
which ran from 11/12/2024 12:00 PM to
11/30/2024 9:00 PM



Produced in the late 19th Century, this beautiful ornate trade card was manufactured by Calvert Lith. Co of Detroit. Measuring approximately 3 1/8" x 5", the card is extremely colorful depicting a single ballplayer in the foreground and an entire game being played in the background. The American Eagle Tobacco Company of Detroit produced chewing tobacco, leaving behind a host of collectible tins and trade cards. It seems that this however is the most popular (and perhaps the only) baseball-related card they produced. It has been called the most desirable of all the 19th Century baseball trade cards; we'll go out on a limb and say it's certainly among the most beautiful with its ornate design and colorful lithography truly a masterpiece in an era that - let's face it - produced some pretty ugly cards. This artwork was famously reused in 2007-2008 to create a United States 42-cent postage stamp honoring the writing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" by Jack Norworth.  The card itself is in POOR condition with visible wear, along with paper remnants affixed to the reverse.  The bottom-right corner has torn away, but remains with the card (see scan). Despite the low grade, this is one of the most highly sought-after baseball trade cards in the hobby, coveted in any grade.

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