1924 Aguilitas Cigars Second Series #870 John Henry "Pop" Lloyd

Sold For:

$8,400

Year:

1924

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

666

Category:

Prewar Baseball - 1910s and 1920s Cards

Graded VG 40 by SGC (submitted by REA). Rare 1924-1925 Aguilitas Segundas tobacco card of Hall of Famer John Henry “Pop” Lloyd. This is one of the key highlight cards from this rare set, and one of only several examples known to exist of "Pop" Lloyd, featuring him as a member of the Havana baseball club in the Cuban Winter League. It is interesting to note that on this card Lloyd is misidentified as “Sam” Lloyd. This is definitely John Henry "Pop" Lloyd, and this card represents one of the very few contemporary cards ever issued of this legendary Hall of Famer. Lloyd played a total of twelve winter seasons in Cuba, hitting .321 lifetime. He is widely considered the best black player of the dead-ball era. Often hitting at or near the .400 mark, his career spanned twenty-six seasons. As player-manager for the Hilldale team in 1923, the first season of the Eastern Colored League, Lloyd hit .418 and led the team to the pennant. Lloyd was often referred to as the "Black Wagner" because of his rare ability to combine speed and power. When asked about this, Wagner was quoted as replying "I am honored to have John Lloyd called the Black Wagner. It's a privilege to have been compared to him." Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977. This is only the third example of this extremely rare and significant card of John Henry "Pop" Lloyd that we have ever offered and it is also by far the best! The card is bright and crisp, with even wear on the corners, and a sharp portrait image in the center. Technically graded Vg due to a very light surface ripple and light toning on the reverse (which is typical of this issue), otherwise the card has a far superior appearance. Extraordinary example of this extremely rare issue featuring one of the all-time great Negro League Hall of Famers. Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open).