1891 N100 Duke "Bicycle and Trick Riders" Near-Complete Set (19/25)

Sold For:

$540

Year:

1891

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

2665

Category:

Non-Sports Cards/Sheets/Card Artwork

Near-complete set of nineteen different (out of twenty-five) 1891 N100 Duke "Bicycle and Trick Riders" cards. This exceptionally colorful set was issued with Duke's Honest Long Cut and Navy Long Cut tobacco brand. Each card (2-1/2 x 4-1/8 inches) features a colorful, graphically detailed lithographic image relating to cycling. Eight cards have been graded and encapsulated by SGC. This near-complete set consists of the following: Balanced on Pedal (Fr), Color Bearer (pencil on reverse, otherwise Vg), Leg Over Handle (altered due to repaired pinhole, otherwise Vg), The Maltby Coast (altered due to repaired pinhole, otherwise Vg-Ex), Pedal and Step Trick (Fr-Gd), Pedal Mount (Fr), Posed on Front (GOOD 30), Riding Backward (VG 40), Riding Down Stairs (Vg), Riding One Pedal (altered due to repaired pinhole, otherwise Vg), Riding The Ordinary (GOOD 30), Riding Side Saddle (GOOD 30), Riding Tandem (SGC "Authentic" due to missing upper left corner), Rolling Cigarette (EX 60), Setting the Pace (pencil on reverse, otherwise Vg), Slack Rope Riding (Vg-Ex), Small Wheel Raised (Vg), The Unicycle (POOR 10), and Working Using One Pedal (VG/EX 50). Missing the following six cards for completion (identified by the numbers provided by the American Tobacco Cards Price Guide checklist): #2, 3, 5, 16, 21, and 23. This is a very attractive near-complete set, with fascinating subject matter, and with outstanding eye-appeal. This very scarce issue is rarely seen as a complete or even near-complete set, and is highly prized by nineteenth-century nonsport tobacco-card collectors. Total: 19 cards. Reserve $200. Estimate (open).