19th century " Holy Grail "

[barrysloate]

Three that are worthy of consideration:

1) N172 Anson in Uniform
2) Just So Cy Young
3) Four Base Hits Mike Kelly

There are other rarities, but hard to surpass this trio.

[e107collector]

I would agree with Barry and say the 1893 Just So Tobacco Cy Young. To the best of my knowledge only 1 is known to exist. Does a board member own this card, or does anyone know of other examples that are out there?

Tony

[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!

[bcbgcbrcb]

Does anyone know why the Anson card is so scarce?

[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.

[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.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Three that are worthy of consideration:

1) N172 Anson in Uniform
2) Just So Cy Young
3) Four Base Hits Mike Kelly

There are other rarities, but hard to surpass this trio.

I think this list is pretty good. IN terms of importance I might feather my own nest and throw in the 1869 Peck and Snyder. It's hard to argue the significance of the undisputed first professional card. Great question, Gary....and it was nice chatting with you, for quite a while, at the National. We'll have to do it again!!

[barrysloate]

There is only one Just So Cy Young known, and it is owned by a board member. Of the three cards I cited, it would likely be the most valuable.

Leon's Peck and Snyder is extremely important, but not at the rarity level of the other three.

Population estimates: one Cy Young, two Mike Kellys, four Ansons (one is in the Burdick Collection), and maybe 15-25 1869 Reds.