Posted By:
Brian H (misunderestimated)Since the n172 Old Judge set was issued over a few years -- 1887-90, I believe -- and different versions of players were issued of players during that time (some with team changes as well) it stands to reason that certain Old Judge's might be Rookies while others are effectively the first ever "traded/update" cards.
For example, HOFers Clarkson, Kelly*, Thompson and McCarthy all switched teams during this time and I believe are pictured with both the earlier and later team in the Old Judge set: Clarkson and Kelly are shown with both Chicago and Boston; Thompson with Detroit and Philadelphia; and McCarthy with both Philadelphia and St. Louis. In each case, assuming the Old Judge is deemed the players Rookie card only the card showing the player on the first team would really be the "Rookie card". It would also be the case that any Player's League card would not be a Rookie if there is another card of that player in the set that does not indidcate a Players League affiliation since the Players League only came into existence following the 1889 season.
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* Kelly cards with Chicago but identifying him as "$10,000 Kelly" must have been issued after Chicago sold him to Boston for $10,000. Otherwise, the "$10,000" is meaningless and would not have been printed on the card. (As a lawyer I am required to have a footnote).