1935 R332 Schutter-Johnson Candy Near-Complete Set (46/50) Including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig

Sold For:

$4,800

Year:

1935

Auction:

2019 Spring

Lot #:

631

Category:

Prewar Baseball - 1930s and 1940s Cards

Outstanding near-complete set of forty-six different cards (of the 50 in the set) from the 1935 R332 Schutter-Johnson, highlighted by twenty-eight Hall of Famers, including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Missing only four cards for completion: #2 L. Waner, 10 Mathewson, 15 Grimm, and 40 Chapman. This unusual set is entitled "Major League Secrets." The reverse of each card in the series features the player's sage advice on some aspect of the game, with the card's captioned illustration on the front relating to this advice. The design and very primitive illustrations of this rare issue give it a distinctive character and charm. The set was illustrated by former Major Leaguer Al Demaree, who also provided the artwork to R304 "Demaree Diecuts," and the cartoon bodies of players in the 1938 Goudey "Heads Up" series. Twenty-two cards are graded and encapsulated by SGC (16) and PSA (6). Grading Composite: PSA VG-EX 4 (2 cards): #8 and 42 Ruth's Grip. SGC VG 40 (2 cards): #16 Waner Brothers and 29 Cuyler (PSA). SGC GOOD 30 (7 cards): #9, 14 Wilson (PSA), 20 Gehrig, 24 (PSA), 26 Ruth, 36, and 50. SGC FAIR 20 (2 cards): #28 Combs and 34. SGC POOR 10 (9 cards): #6, 11 Dickey, 13, 32 Cochrane, 37 Cronin, 41 McGraw, 43, 46, and 48 Alexander (PSA). The condition of the twenty-four unencapsulated cards is one Vg, two Gd, eight Fr, and thirteen Pr. Keys: #1 Simmons (Fr), 3 Cuyler (Pr-Fr), 4 Frisch (Pr), 5 Hafey (Fr), 17 Klein (Fr), 19 Alexander (Fr), 22 Hubbell (Pr), 23 Traynor (Gd), 27 Goslin (Pr-Fr), 31 Dean (Pr), 33 Lyons (Fr), 35 Dean (Vg), 38 Hartnett (Pr), 45 Vance (Pr-Fr), and 49 Grove (Pr-Fr). This is a fun set that gets little attention (in large part due to rarity) but really stands out as different among sets from the era. Very attractive, near-complete set of one of the most unusual, scarce, and challenging-to-complete of all 1930s card issues. Total: 46 cards. Reserve $300. Estimate $500+.