1889 N172 Old Judge John Morrill, Washington (Extremely Rare Team Change)

Sold For:

$1,058

Year:

1889

Auction:

2011 Spring

Lot #:

49

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Cards (1830-1899)

Graded FAIR 20 by SGC. While John Morrill is a relatively common player in the Old Judge series, this is a far rarer and more significant example than is apparent at a glance. This 1889 Old Judge is a particularly significant rarity that features Morrill with the Washington Nationals. This is a very rare team-change card in the N172 Old Judge set. On Morrill's earlier-issued Old Judge cards he appears with Boston. Morrill was sold by the Boston Beaneaters to the Washington Nationals in the middle of the 1889 season, which no doubt accounts for the great rarity of this team-change card. Only a few examples are known and this is the first we have ever seen. It is also interesting to note that Goodwin did not yet have a photo of Morrill in his Washington uniform and so actually used an old image of him with Boston. The card is in overall Good to Very Good condition, with a tiny surface chip on his cap, evenly rounded corners, and remnants of scrapbook removal on the reverse. The minor back damage is the cause of the harsh SGC grade. This is an extremely rare team-change card in the Old Judge series. Reserve $200. Estimate $400+. SOLD FOR $1,058