1912 T227 "Series of Champions" Willie Hoppe & Alfred De Oro Billiards PSA-Graded Pair

Sold For:

$720

Year:

1912

Auction:

2016 Fall

Lot #:

2103

Category:

Boxing/Golf/Other Cards or Memorabilia

Extremely attractive pair of billiard players from the unusual and rare 1912 T227 Series of Champions set, each graded and encapsulated VG-EX 4 by PSA. The T227s are far more scarce than the T205 or T206 tobacco cards, but because T227s seldom survive in technically high grades, they are rarely the focus of high-grade collectors. It is believed that T227s were packaged in tobacco pouches without protection from either tobacco or general handling, thus accounting for their survival almost exclusively in mid or low grades. T227 "Series of Champions" cards are unique in design, and boast bright colors, crisp images, and short biographies on the reverse along with a small tobacco advertisement. In this case, both cards advertise Honest Long Cut tobacco. This lot consists of the following: Willie Hoppe (highest graded) and Alfred De Oro. Both of these cards have strong eye-appeal and, as is often the case with T227s, display far better than suggested by their assigned grades. Each card is in extremely high grade for this issue. This is a very attractive complete billiard set from this rare, uniquely designed, and, in our opinion, extremely overlooked tobacco issue. Total: 2 cards. Reserve $200. Estimate (open).