1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinet Mike "King" Kelly - Newly Discovered!

Sold For:

$16,200

Year:

1888

Auction:

2022 Fall

Lot #:

62

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Cards (1830-1899)

Graded FAIR 1.5 by SGC (submitted by REA). Newly discovered and extremely striking N173 Goodwin Old Judge cabinet card of Hall of Famer Mike "King" Kelly with Boston (batting pose #254-5). This is an ideal example of one of the all-time classic nineteenth-century cabinet cards and one of the most impressive of all "King" Kelly cards. All Old Judge cabinets are extremely desirable, as are all examples of Hall of Famers, and Mike "King" Kelly is one of the most prominent of all nineteenth-century Hall of Famers. He was also nicknamed "$10,000 Kelly" after Chicago sold his contract for that amount to Boston following the 1886 season. At the time, $10,000 was an unheard-of sum for a player, but Kelly was so great and such a popular draw with fans that he was worth it. This is a stunning card! The image on this card is very bold. Spectacular contrast (far superior to what is normally found on this card). A half-inch tear on the left edge is responsible for the modest grade. Reserve $1,000.