Circa 1897 Whitehead & Hoag Pins
 

Nice to see these pins finally getting the respect they deserve. They are very scarce and in many cases provide some of the earliest individual images of greats of the game. The low grade Young in LOTG is currently at $6000 which seems like a bargain given its’ rarity and dearth of earlier images (this piece is not mine if anyone was wondering).

That is a great early Cy Young item, but I am a little confused, but how can it be a bargain and still be getting the respect that it deserves?

The Sockalexis in that set is a great pin too.

I was high bids on this at $5000 ($6000 with BP) when this thread was started. I won it for $9000 ($10,800 with BP). I wonder how much of the next $4000 was the “extra advertising” on net54?

Like I said, it wasn't mine so Ryan I hope I am not the reason it cost you extra. My guess is that it would have gotten to that level anyway. In relation to the other question, my statement was meant to imply that W&H pins are up in value from where they used to be, but still have a long way to go to achieve their true worth.

Just so every thread has some images

Who knows, but I agree the card likely would have gotten more bids regardless. I have never owned a pin and generally I am not into them (or any circular piece). But this is an 1800’s image of Cy Young, super rare to find. Seems like it’s worth owning.

And I really want a Sockalexis one day. Not many choices there and a pin (of the few that exist) is likely my best (long) shot

That’s a great under valued Pin Ryan and you out bid me on it (I wasn’t under bidder). Congrats on a great pickup.

I believe there are three total known examples of the Sockalexis WH pin. If there is a 4th I am not aware of it but there could be one tucked in an old collection somewhere. Jay's has a different paper backing and then there are two with Cameo Pepsin backs that have sold publicly. Sockalexis actually has another pin issued the year before in 1897 of which only one is known to exist that is even better looking than the WH pin!

Thanks!!

And regarding Sockalexis, I would love something of his.

Giveaway at that price