1913 H813 Boston Garter Tris Speaker

Sold For:

$11,500

Year:

1913

Auction:

2004 Spring

Lot #:

52

Category:

Prewar Baseball - 1910s and 1920s Cards

This key Hall of Famer from the extremely rare 12-card 1913 Boston Garter color series is one of Tris Speaker's rarest cards. As noted on the reverse, only one card was issued with each box of 12 garters, and the cards were to be displayed by retailers in their store windows. The reverse includes a checklist for the entire set, and Tris Speaker's batting records are listed through the 1913 season (thus strongly suggesting that the set was actually issued in 1914, as opposed to the 1913 year of issue date listed for the set in The Standard Catalog ). We would be surprised if more than 3 or 4 examples of Tris Speaker exist from this rare set. We have actually seen only one other. The card is very clean, with a little corner wear (particularly in the upper left), and a very fine, light crease in the lower left corner. On the reverse is a small date notation reading "1913" and a red ink stamp with the name and address of legendary collector Buck Barker. This card, of course, was once a part of the Buck Barker collection, adding an interesting dimension of significant hobby history to an already significant baseball card rarity. One of the most impressive and among the rarest cards of the great Tris Speaker. 8.25 x 4 inches. Overall Vg-Ex. Reserve $1,500. Estimate $2,500/$5,000. SOLD FOR $11,500.00