1909 Pittsburgh Pirates and S&H Green Stamps "Two Champions" Advertising Postcard

Sold For:

$720

Year:

1909

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

187

Category:

Prewar Baseball - Early 1900s Cards

Outstanding postcard rarity with impressive display value, featuring portraits of the much-celebrated Pirates' 1909 World Championship team. The postcard advertises for the long-forgotten by many, but at one time very prominent, S&H Green Trading Stamps Company. Text along the two side borders reads, respectively, "The Two Champions" along the left, and "Pittsburg Base Ball Club and 'S&H.' Green Trading Stamps" along the right. This is one of the most desirable team postcards of the era. The postcard features composite portrait images of twenty-three team members, including Wagner, Clarke, Willis, and team owner Barney Dreyfuss, all surrounding an illustration of the iconic S&H Green Stamp in the center. Very close inspection will reveal the players' names identified as part of the design on each portrait. Many of the portrait images will be familiar to card collectors, as all are portrait images by famed Boston photographer Carl Horner, many of which were used in card sets (and other printed items) of the era. Ideally, the Wagner portrait image on this piece is the same one that was used for his legendary T206 tobacco card issued that same year! Graded GOOD 30 by SGC (submitted by REA), this card displays moderate creasing, even corner wear, and a pencil notation on the back. Never been mailed and with an unusual overprint on the reverse. "Overprinting" is a term commonly used to refer to the rare practice of a company taking cards already printed and adding advertising, in the form of printing or ink stamp, to allow the cards to function as an advertising vehicle at a relatively modest cost compared to creating and printing a new set. In this case, the overprint on this Green Trading Stamps postcard of the Pirates is boldly printed, with reverse text advertising "Geo. McElroy – Dealer In - Tobaccos, Cigars And Pipes – Confectionery And Stationery – Groceries And Candies – 1124 Penna Ave. N. S. Pittsburgh, Pa.” The overprint is printed in black ink. A worthy addition to any world-class collection of 1909 Pirates items, Honus Wagner cards, or rare baseball postcards. Dimensions: 5.5 x 3.5 inches. Reserve $200. Estimate $400+.