It is great to see others interested in collecting Cracker Jacks. I too have had a relatively low key presence on the board, but I certainly read it every day and have been doing so for 2 years (or so). I am collecting the 1914 CJ set and own about 60 of the set, so far. It seems clearly more difficult to collect than the 1915 set and the cards generally are in lower grade condition (because they were packaged directly with the cracker jack product and one could not send to the company and receive an entire set). I have tried to collect cards with good visual appeal, regardless of their grade, and have cards ranging from PSA 1-5 in my collection. It has been difficult for me to get a handle on the difficulty of specific cards, but Brian certainly seems correct in that the Del Pratt card is considered the most difficult card in the set (although its population is not the lowest of the cards). My understanding is that Pratt's family purchases the card whenever one becomes available. Luckily I happened upon one on Ebay several years ago and purchased it for what seems like a bargain now.
I am listing the populations of the cards in the 1914 CJ set for which their are 15 or fewer cards graded by PSA and SGC together. I certainly understand that this may represent an overestimate of the actual number of cards out there, as it is difficult to compensate for crossovers, etc. Also, it does not take into consideration cards graded by GAI, Beckett, etc. I have put an asterisk next to those cards that I am fortunate enough to own.
-----------------------------PSA--------SGC----TOTAL
#41 Thomas Leach----------9-----------4--------13 (*)
#74 Frank Owen-------------7----------3---------10 (*)
#86 Burt Shotten------------8----------4---------12 (*)
#87 Hick Cady---------------8----------4---------12
#89 Lawrence Cheney------9-----------5---------14 (*)
#90 Frank Smith------------8-----------5---------13
#92 Al Demaree-------------9----------4---------13 (*)
#93 Del Pratt----------------6-----------5---------11 (*)
#95 Ray Keating-------------9-----------4--------13
#96 Beals Becker------------9----------4---------13
#118 Ed Konetchy-----------9-----------5---------14
#120 Mickey Doolan--------10----------5---------15 (*)
#129 Ray Caldwell----------8-----------7---------15 (*)
#137 Bill Rariden-----------10----------4---------14
#139 Ernest Oakes---------11----------4---------15 (*)
I have always viewed obtaining the other cards in the set as a matter of having enough funds, but that they would be attainable.
I hope this helps and best of luck in your collecting.
Regards,
Barry
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