1887 N172 Old Judge Billy Sunday - Newly Discovered!

Sold For:

$4,080

Year:

1887

Auction:

2021 Spring

Lot #:

52

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Cards (1830-1899)

Graded GOOD+ 2.5 by SGC (submitted by REA). Extremely attractive 1887 N172 Old Judge of legendary ballplayer-turned-evangelist Billy Sunday (#446-4 pose), center fielder, with the powerhouse Chicago White Stockings. This card is part of an exciting, fresh-to-the-hobby collection consigned to this auction by the family of a Midwestern collector who built his impressive collection over a period of many decades, beginning as a young boy in the 1930s. With a copyright date of 1887, the card was issued during Sunday's last season with Chicago before being traded to Pittsburgh. This is a magnificent example from this landmark issue of one of the nineteenth century's best-known players. A very sharp-looking card, with outstanding photo contrast, light corner wear, and featuring Sunday posed in front of an elaborate studio backdrop. Centered to the extreme top left. The blank reverse is clean. The photo is slightly smaller than the mount along the top edge, resulting in the modest assigned grade. This is a very high quality Old Judge example of the legendary Billy Sunday, with strong visual appeal. Reserve $300. Estimate (open).