M101-5 Sporting News Jim Thorpe

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Posted By: ErikV.

With lot number 877 in the current MastroNet Auction being a SGC 84 NM 7 Jim Thorpe card, I was pondering about the rarity of this card.

http://www.mastronet.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=50419&CurrentRow=1

On the PSA website, it shows the Thorpe card being one of the "Top 200 cards in the Hobby." It appears that John Branca owns the finest PSA Thorpe card (grade 8), but how may more Thorpe cards are out there?

Can anyone help me by answering a few questions about this card?

1) What are the population reports from PSA, SGC and GAI on this card?

2) Which varations (Sporting News, Gimbels, Famous/Barr, etc) are more common than the rest?

3) Is the value of this card dictated by the fact that A)it's a rare card B)it's a high demand card or C)Jim Thorpe's icon type status?

4) Is there any information as to how many of these cards were originally produced in 1915?

Any information would be appreciated.

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Posted By: Andy Baran

1.) I have no idea about the population reports

2.) The Thorpe was only issued in the M101-5 Series, therefore it is generally found with either a blank back, Famous & Barr, or Standard Biscuit back. Thorpe can not be found with most other back variations.

3.) The value of this card is based on the always high demand for Thorpe cards, as well as the high condition. This card is not particularly rare, but Thorpe only appears in a few vintage sets.

4.) The cards were actually produced in 1916, not 1915. No one knows how many were originally produced.

I hope this helps.

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Posted By: Tim Newcomb

PSA has graded 8 M101-5 Thorpes: 2 PSA 3-4, 3 PSA 5, one each of 6, 7, 8.
One of these is a Famous and Barr, the others appear to be blank backed

SGC has graded 5, one 20, two 40, one 70, one 84. Of these two are F&B, one Standard Biscuit. The other backs are not specified in their Pop Report system.

Because it is only in M101-5, the Thorpe card is considerably tougher than the average M101-4. Whether it's tougher than the other M101-5 onlies (Chance, Marsans, Herbie Moran, etc.) is debatable.

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Posted By: jay behrens

I own the SGC20 and it has a Famous and Barr back. It would have graded higher but it has the name "Lester O'Neil" stamped on the back.

Jay

My place is full of valuable, worthless junk.