1889 N526 Number 7 Cigar James A. Hart PSA EX 5 - Highest Graded!

Sold For:

$1,200

Year:

1889

Auction:

2022 Fall

Lot #:

75

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Cards (1830-1899)

Graded EX 5 by PSA. This is the only example graded at this level with none higher! Remarkable example of James A. Hart of the Boston Beaneaters from the exceedingly rare 1889 Number 7 Cigar series. 1889 Number 7 Cigars are one of the rarest and most unusual nineteenth-century tobacco trade-card sets. This fifteen-card set was issued in 1889 and features line-drawn portraits of members of the Boston Nationals. The cards were issued in several variations that relate to the advertising on the cards. The back of the cards feature ads for either Diamond S Cigars or Number 7 Cigars. Cards with “C.S. White & Co.” stamped at the top are also known. C.S. White & Co. was very likely a tobacco shop that distributed the cards. All cards from this issue are commonly referred to as “Number 7 Cigars” as almost all cards known feature advertising on the reverse for that brand of tobacco. These unusual large cards, which each measure 2.25 x 4 inches, are incredibly rare and are not often seen in any condition. This example of Hart is one of only seven cards ever graded EX 5 by PSA, and only one card from the entire set has ever graded higher by PSA (EX-MT 6). Crisp and clean with a flawless surface, four strong corners, and a clean reverse. This is an extremely attractive and very significant sample from this seldom-seen nineteenth-century issue. (Please note PSA mislabeled this card as a Diamond S but clearly it is from the Number 7 series.) Reserve $200.