This SGC AUTH grade reflects loss of photo paper on the lower right corner and a hole punch on Cueto's chest. Its reverse shows residual paper from a scrapbook or album, but all text remains legible, assuming you can read Spanish! Cueto is the rare Latin player who spent time with a Federal League team in 1914 and Cincy from 1917-19, when pre-integration teams were willing to play guys who could "pass" with lighter skin. Back home in Cuba, baseball leagues allowed players to mix more freely, which enabled those winter league squads to become more integrated.

1923-24 Billikens were produced for that winter league baseball season as cigar premiums during a short, active period for Cuban card issues. The cards are photographic paper, leaving them somewhat more vulnerable to fading and handling damage than more conventional cardboard sets. They can retain beautiful detail and document a number of players from that era who don't appear on many cards or photos. Love of the Game is pleased to offer several cards from this set as part of our larger offering of Cuban issues.