1914 E145 Cracker Jack #144 Series Complete PSA-Graded Master Set (145 cards)

Sold For:

$88,125

Year:

1914

Auction:

2008 Spring

Lot #:

16

Category:

Featured

Presented is one of the finest complete sets of 1914 E145 Cracker Jacks to ever be assembled. The 1914 Cracker Jack set has a combination of popularity, mystique, and rarity that is unique. Complete sets practically do not exist. This is the first complete master set of 1914 Cracker Jacks we have ever had the privilege to offer. Collectors usually have to be satisfied with cards from the very similar but much easier to find (especially in high grade) 1915 Series cards. The assembly of a complete 1914 set is so difficult that it is just not a practical collecting project for most to even consider pursuing. The consignor of this set was well aware of this when he decided to assemble this complete set, and in fact, it is safe to say that the great challenge involved was part of the appeal of the project. With incredible effort, patience, luck, countless packages, and the help of collectors all over the country, the consignor (actually two family members working together as a collecting team) were able to complete this amazing set, all PSA-graded. The intention was always to complete the set and then offer it at auction as a unit. The set may sell for more or less than the sum of its parts or the monetary investment of its assembly, but the fun of collecting the set was always intended to be part of the return, and one that could not be measured in dollars. The break value of this set is extraordinary! The complete set of all 145 cards has been graded in its entirety by PSA. It is the first and only complete PSA-graded set ever assembled and registered on the PSA Registry, and the fourth highest graded set out of fourteen registered sets, with an average grade of 3.78. For this condition-sensitive issue, the set is in exceptionally high grade. Thirty-nine cards range in grade from Excellent to Nr/Mt, eighty-eight cards range from Vg to Vg-Ex, and eighteen cards are lesser (mostly Good). The 1914 #144 series Cracker Jacks are far rarer than their 1915 counterparts, because the 1914 cards were not available by mail, and could only be obtained one card per package in boxes of Cracker Jacks. Because of their method of issue, 1914 Cracker Jacks are also almost always found with various condition problems including caramel staining. There are two Hall of Famers among the 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series cards that were not issued in the 1915 series. One is #88 Christy Mathewson, who appears in a horizontal pitching pose in the 1914 set, as opposed to the more familiar portrait pose of the 1915 set. The other Hall of Famer which appears only in the 1914 set is #99 Frank Chance. Because there is no 1915 Cracker Jack alternative to the 1914 Cracker Jack Mathewson pitching pose, that card has in recent years jumped in value considerably and is now widely recognized as one of the great and most significant of all Cracker Jack cards. This set includes a very attractive Good condition example of this significant rarity featuring the legendary Christy Mathewson. Card #17 Bresnahan was issued in two ways: with and without the card number on the reverse. This set includes both varieties. (That is why there are 145 cards in total for the master set of the #144 Cracker Jacks set). The complete PSA grading composite: Three NM 7: #117, 120, and 130. Nine EX-MT 6: #42 (MK), 45, 56, 58, 67, 81, 91, 123, and 140. Twenty-seven EX 5: #4, 6 Plank (HOF), 7 Collins (HOF), 9, 11, two Bresnahan (with #17 on back and "no number" on back variation), 18 Evers (HOF), 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 31, 34, 39 Gandil ("Black Sox"), 46, 47, 63, 64, 66 Lajoie (HOF), 89, 112, 113, 125, 134 Marsans, and 138. Sixty-four VG-EX 4: #1, 2 Baker (HOF), 3 Tinker (HOF), 5, 8, 10, 12 Mack (HOF), 13, 14 Crawford (HOF), 15, 16, 19 Bender (HOF), 22 Wood, 25, 28, 29, 30 Ty Cobb (HOF), 32 Brown (HOF), 33, 35 Hooper (HOF), 36 Walsh (HOF), 37 Alexander (HOF), 38, 41, 44, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57 Walter Johnson (HOF), 59, 61 Schalk (HOF), 62, 69 McGraw (HOF), 70 Clarke (HOF), 71, 72, 73 Carey (HOF), 77 Jennings (HOF), 80, 84, 92, 93, 94 Cicotte ("Black Sox"), 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 109, 116, 119, 124, 127, 131, 133 Rickey (HOF), 136 Maranville (HOF), 141, 142, and 144 (last card in set). Twenty-Four VG 3: #23 Comiskey (HOF), 40, 43 Marquard (HOF), 52 Wheat (HOF), 60, 65 Speaker (HOF), 68 Honus Wagner (HOF), 75 Huggins (HOF), 76, 79, 83, 85, 87, 95, 97, 99 Frank Chance (HOF), 101, 105, 110, 111, 115, 118, 121, and 129. Fourteen GOOD 2: #74, 82, 86, 88 Christy Mathewson (HOF), 90, 107, 108, 114, 122, 128, 132, 135, 139, and 143. Four PR-FR 1: #78, 103 Joe Jackson, 126, and 137. The 1914 Cracker Jack set is universally recognized as one of the most significant of all prewar baseball card issues. The assembly of a set of this caliber is, very simply, an extraordinary collecting achievement. This is only the second set of 1914 Cracker Jacks to ever appear in an REA auction (the last set we sold was way back in 1996) and the only completely PSA-graded set ever assembled and registered, let alone presented at auction. This is a world-class set of one of the most important and rarely offered of all prewar card sets. Total 145 cards. Reserve $20,000. Estimate $40,000+. SOLD FOR $88,125.00