Rarest Pre-War Rookie Cards

[darwinbulldog]

Al Spalding: 1872 Warren Studio CDV
Hoss Radbourne: 1886 Red Stocking Cigars
Dan Brouthers: 1886 Tomlinson Studios cabinet
Tim Keefe: 1886 N167
Roger Connor: 1886 N167
Cy Young: 1892 Ryder Studio cabinet
Honus Wagner: 1902 W600 (or 1899 Henry Reccius)
Eddie Plank: 1902 W600
Nap Lajoie: 1902 W600
Addie Joss: 1903 W600
Christy Mathewson: 1903 E107
Eddie Collins: 1907 W600
Walter Johnson: 1907 Weiser Wonder
Lefty Grove: 1928 Star Player
Mel Ott: 1929 Leader Novelty

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

Hoss Radbourne: 1886 Red Stocking Cigars

One of my favorite cards in my collection.

[oldjudge]

Beauty, Jeff!

[calvindog]

Thanks, Jay.

As for Cobb "rookie" cards, if these are thought of as cards, they are really rare:

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by calvindog

One of my favorite cards in my collection.

Amazing card Jeff!! That’s the same card that was once owned by Lew Lipset and is on the cover of his Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards. At the time, it was 1-of-1 known (with the 1886 schedule on back). Now there are two….although I think I’d much prefer yours!!

[rhettyeakley]

1913 Zeenut Harry Heilmann

(One of only 2 known with the Coupon attached)

[Casey2296]

Great card Rhett.

[Shankweather]

The one that haunts my dreams and whispers, "you'll never find me...."

[oldjudge]

This hangar (paper front that is linen backed with metal strips at the top and bottom with a loop at the top so it can be displayed in a store) was issued prior to the 1891 season to illustrate Cleveland's 1891 schedule. The image of Cy Young is certainly one of his earliest, if not his earliest.