1888 N162 Goodwin Champions Complete SGC-Graded Set of Baseball Players (8)

Sold For:

$10,800

Year:

1888

Auction:

2015 Spring

Lot #:

89

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Cards (1830-1899)

Exceptionally attractive complete set of all eight baseball players from the 1888 N162 Goodwin Champions set, considered by many to be the single most beautiful of all the nineteenth-century tobacco issues. Each card is graded and encapsulated by SGC (all submitted by REA). Of the eight ballplayers in the set, four are Hall of Famers (Anson, Brouthers, Keefe, Kelly) and three others were major stars of the day (Caruthers, Dunlap, Glasscock). Ed Andrews was very popular in Philadelphia but was not a star. The set is highlighted by remarkably attractive examples of the four key Hall of Famers. SGC Condition Report: Ed Andrews (VG 40), Cap Anson (HOF, POOR 10, presents as VG/EX to EX on front, downgraded due to heavy adhesive residue on the reverse, no paper loss), Dan Brouthers (HOF, FAIR 20), Bob Caruthers (GOOD 30), "Sure Shot" Dunlap (VG/EX+ 55), Jack Glasscock (POOR 10), Tim Keefe (HOF, EX+ 70), and Mike "King" Kelly (HOF, POOR 10, presents as VG/EX from the front, downgraded due to adhesive residue and paper loss on the reverse). This is a tremendous set, presenting exceptionally well across the board, with almost all the lower-grade cards downgraded exclusively due to issues on the reverse, as is common with nineteenth-century cards. This is a beautiful complete set of one of the most desirable of all nineteenth-century baseball sets. The equivalent SMR value for the assigned grades (factoring in the three half grades at the lower whole-grade level) is $5,900. Total: 8 cards.  Reserve $1,500. Estimate $3,000++.