T206 Tolstoi George Hunter
 

In the recent REA, I was bidding on what I at first assumed was a rather unassuming uncommon back T206 for my prewar Brooklyn collection: a Tolstoi George Hunter.

Once I saw the card go over $400, I realized something was up, so I checked the pop reports and found 0 PSAs and the one SGC 2.5 that was in the auction. I bowed out around $1K, and the card closed at $3K with the juice.

Is there any particular story behind the scarcity of this card, or is it just one of those things?

I'm generally pretty well-versed in pop reports for these cards, but are there any other hard-to-find Brooklyn uncommon backs that should be keeping me up at night?

Thanks!

It's the only Hunter Tolstoi that I've seen. It was ungraded when it sold on
ebay five years ago.

And yes there are a few other uncommon backs on the Brooklyn players that might keep you up at night.

This caught my eye, too. It got beyond being a potential type-card for me really quickly.

On the PSA pop report for Tolstois, I count 13 that have only one PSA-slabbed and 5 that have none (and the Hunter isn't even listed). There are 250 on the brand checklist, so that's a pretty good chunk that are minimal population.

As you probably know, George Hunter pitched in the Major Leagues only one year (1909).

Hunter was printed in the 350-only Series (circa 1910). The Tolstoi backs were introduced
during this timeframe. American Lithographic stopped printing Hunter, since they realized
he was no longer playing in the Majors. This occurred about the same time the Tolstoi bks.
were introduced. Therefore, very few Tolstoi cards of him were printed.

Other tough Dodger cards that I know of......

Bergen (catch)..... CYCLE 460 / LENOX / PD #42
Burch (fielding).... AB 460 / LENOX / UZIT
Hummel.............. CYCLE 460 / OLD MILL / UZIT
Marshall.............. BL 350
Happy Smith........ AB 460 / UZIT


TED Z

T206 Reference
.

Ahhhhhh.....
 

Ted,

I think I figured out why Mr. Hunter (pitcher) only lasted one year......he must have gotten hurt swinging that bat! Ruthian lumber! OMG!

Attachment 447915

I don't think this is true Ted. I do think you're right about the Tolstoi printing
timeline though. From information we do have I think American Lithograph
started the printing of the Tolstoi backs just before they stopped printing
the print group 2 subjects and that's why many of them are difficult to find
with Tolstoi Backs.

Thanks for the responses and all the great info!