Which is the most rare 1914 Cracker Jack?

[btkpath]

I have been collecting the set for several years now and have about 90 of the cards. I find it difficult to determine the true rarest card in the set. The card that receives all the press and is viewed as almost "unicorn-like" is the Del Pratt card (#93). There are 11 examples that appear graded between PSA and SGC (I am fortunate to have a PSA 1), but I have no handle on how many raw or crossover examples there are. Interestingly, by the numbers, the Frank Owens card (#74) is the rarest with only 10 examples graded between PSA and SGC (although mine is a 2.5 BVG). Likewise it is difficult to know how many have been crossed over, raw or graded by companies other than the big 2.

The Matty card (#88) although a stunning card is not (according to the population numbers) particularly rare. There are 35 examples graded between PSA and SGC. There are 111 cards in the set (77% of the entire set) that have populations between SGC and PSA of 35 or less. In fact, out of the second half of the set (cards 73-144), there is only 1 card (Frank Chance) that has a population more than the 35 Matty's that are available. There are also 35 Joe Jackson examples, so the Matty is arguably not even the rarest "iconic" card in the set.

I hope this provides you with the information you were seeking.

Regards,

Barry

[JamesGallo]

Pretty much everyone knows the Matty is not a rare card. It is unique and high demand hence the high price.

As with all sets you will always find more graded HOF then commons as that is where people think the money is. Also any of the unique cards like Lord will also show more graded examples.

I haven't activavly been collecting this set for a while and just picked up the unique cards and whatever else I got in deals. As such I ended up with some nicer cards.

I do also agree that aside from Pratt it is hard to say what is the rarest card. For example when I was almost done with the 1915 set I needed a Nap Rucker card, I could not find one anywhere over a couple of years. I have since gotten one and just because one was not available for a few years doesn't mean it is a rarer card.

When you don't take grade into account I am not sure any card is "rare" When looking at the number most Boston Store cards have total populations under 10, are they tough to find sure, but I wouldn't consider them all rare just becuase there are not a lot on the pops.

Lastly, just because one card is rare at one point in time doesn't mean it will always be that way, (see Rucker examples above). I think getting all the commons is the tough part, the HOF are around if you want to pay for them.

James G

[fkw]

Id say only 1 card is rarer than all the others, the (overrated) Bresnahan error variation with no number...
But other than that, Why would any of the cards be rarer than the others?

With 144 different cards, Id think they were printed in sheets of 12X12, 1 card per sheet? Does anyone know more about the sheet(s), and are there any other cards that have variations??

Pop reports can help but will be slightly off because many E145-1 common players in low condition never see a slab...

[Bigb13]

I found that Harry Hooper and Del Pratt to be pretty tough to find . Rob

[Brian Van Horn]

My vote:

[eb548]

Been collecting 1914s for a while and have found the higher numbers as mentioned to be significantly tougher. There are quite a few commons with combined pop reports in the mid teens or lower which hints at the rarity and scarcity of the set in general.
The bresnahan no number is very tough!! I have been looking for a decent one for quite some time and do not think a card so tough to find can be called overrated (just my opinion!).

[Brian Van Horn]

BigB13,

Just for display, I picked up this 1914 Cracker Jack Hooper on eBay several years ago. It was advertised as slightly trimmed:

[Captainhask]

I was able to get to 125/144 before I sold the set off. I had all of the HOF players but I would agree the Pratt is the toughest.