19th century " Holy Grail "

[GaryPassamonte]

For a card to be a " Holy Grail " it would have to meet three criteria, in my opinion. It would have to be a special player from a classic set that is available enough to be collectible. The first two criteria are easily met, but the issue of availability is more difficult to reconcile. The card would have to be available enough to have widespread appeal. The Mantle and the Wagner are far from being the rarest cards in their category, but are available enough to be pursued by collectors. Does any 19th century card fit this bill?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

For a card to be a " Holy Grail " it would have to meet three criteria, in my opinion. It would have to be a special player from a classic set that is available enough to be collectible. The first two criteria are easily met, but the issue of availability is more difficult to reconcile. The card would have to be available enough to have widespread appeal. The Mantle and the Wagner are far from being the rarest cards in their category, but are available enough to be pursued by collectors. Does any 19th century card fit this bill?

The 1869 Peck and Snyder does meet the criteria if you are including a team card. If not...then I have to give it some more thought. Most 19th century cards have limited availability to start with....

[rman444]

Based on that criteria, I would say either the N162 Anson or King Kelly.

[barrysloate]

Gary- the 1869 Reds team card may be the only 19th century one to fit the criteria of being rare and historically important, and actually be attainable. If you want one you can get it (I know you already have).

Most of the others simply aren't. You can't put a Four Base Hits of Kelly or a Just So of Cy Young on your wantlist. It just won't happen.

[barrysloate]

Richard- I just sent you two more emails and they both came back undeliverable. Do you know what the problem is?

[bh3443]

Looking at the criteria similar to the Wagner, I'd have to say the old judge Anson in Uniform. A few reasons are that Anson's a big HOFer, scarcity of the card, and that it is from the largest BB card set from that era.
Just my opinion!

[oldjudge]

Anson in Uniform. The T206 Wagner is what it is because it is part of the most widely collected vintage card set. The Old Judge set is the most widely collected 19th century set and the Anson in Uniform is the crown jewel of that set.

[Fred]

Joe G made a great point -

The cards identified (N172 Anson in uniform, T206 Wagner, '52 Mantle) are all rare in ~ equal proportions w.r.t. their contemporaries


Barry's correct about the attainability of the N172 Anson in uniform -you probably wont get one unless you know someone that has one and that person that owns it is willing to "get rid of IT". But when you look at the other cards that are being offered up as the holy grail there are fewer of those cards "known to exist" (probably not available) than the OJ Anson in uniform.

[GrayGhost]

Can someone post a picture of this beautiful rarity? Thank you.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Does anyone know why the Anson card is so scarce?

[barrysloate]

Nobody knows why it is so scarce, and it seems like a bit of an anomaly given how popular Anson was. And why doesn't he have even one batting pose? Look how many Mike Kelly has. There is a mystery about Anson's appearance in the set for sure.

[oldjudge]

Many of the rarities in the Old Judge set are from the 1888 Fb issue (as are the Anson in Uniform and the Harry Wright third pose).

[bcbgcbrcb]

How about the 1888 G & B Chewing Gum Albert Spalding.........

[Epps]

I have to say Just So Young. What about the Just So Ewing that was just discovered?

[Wesley]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

For a card to be a " Holy Grail " it would have to meet three criteria, in my opinion. It would have to be a special player from a classic set that is available enough to be collectible. The first two criteria are easily met, but the issue of availability is more difficult to reconcile. The card would have to be available enough to have widespread appeal. The Mantle and the Wagner are far from being the rarest cards in their category, but are available enough to be pursued by collectors. Does any 19th century card fit this bill?

If availability is one of the main criteria, it would have to be one of the major HOF players from the N28, N162 or N172 sets. The N28 Allen & Ginter Cap Anson or the N162 Goodwin Cap Anson are probably available enough to have widespread appeal.

[barrysloate]

Phil- the G & B Spalding is an excellent addition to the list. That one too is unique, I believe.

[uffda51]

For me, it would be the FBH Kelly.


I'll probably never own the Kelly but I do have the Peck & Snyder.

[Bicem]

Anson in uniform hands down imo.

Best player from the most mainstream 19th century set, extremely valuable/desirable card.

Just So Young is the card that I would personally want the most though.

[GoldenAge50s]

Aaron beat me to it, but I also suggest the N172 of Harry Wright---a highly desirable card that is very tough to come by, esp in a grade above a 1 or a 2, but CAN be had if one waits a long while!

[E93]

I am with Jeff on this one. I think the N172 Anson in uniform is it. I would personally probably rather have the Just So Cy Young, but the fact that only one exists makes it so tough that it is almost not collectable. I think the two would roughly be of equal value at auction.
JimB

[aaroncc]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

For a card to be a " Holy Grail " it would have to meet three criteria, in my opinion. It would have to be a special player from a classic set that is available enough to be collectible. The first two criteria are easily met, but the issue of availability is more difficult to reconcile. The card would have to be available enough to have widespread appeal. The Mantle and the Wagner are far from being the rarest cards in their category, but are available enough to be pursued by collectors. Does any 19th century card fit this bill?

I would say the N172 Harry Wright would fit well in all 3 areas.