1888 New York Giants (vs. Chicago) National League Old Judge Advertising Scorecard with Mickey Welch on Cover

Sold For:

$2,040

Year:

1888

Auction:

2022 Summer

Lot #:

2339

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Old Judge advertising-style scorecard from an 1888 National League game between the New York Giants and Chicago White Stockings held at the Polo Grounds. This is a spectacular scorecard on many counts. The cover features a woodcut illustration of Hall of Fame pitcher Mickey Welch surrounded by advertising for the N172 Old Judge baseball card set, which boldly reads: “Photographs of the New York Team and all the Professional Ball Players Packed in Every Package of Old Judge Cigarettes.” Welch is identified in print directly below his image. The cover of the scorecard, which itself is very much like a card, is an extraordinary advertising vehicle for Old Judge Cigarettes and the cards issued by Old Judge. These substantial scorecards are extremely rare. There was obviously a set of these issued, as several different players are known featured on the covers (miraculously this auction features four different). The interior preprinted lineups of the two-page fold-over scorecard include Hall of Famers John Ward, Roger Connor, James O’Rourke, and Tim Keefe for the Giants, and Cap Anson, Jimmy Ryan, George Van Haltren, Fred Pfeffer, and Tom Burns for Chicago. Neatly scored in pencil to record a 4-2 Chicago victory. An interior pencil notation reads "June 12/88." Research confirms that the White Stockings defeated the Giants 4-2 at the Polo Grounds on this date. The Giants were champions of the National League in 1888. They then defeated the American Association champion St. Louis Browns in the World Series that fall. The scorecard (8.5 x 7.25 inches unfolded) displays two tiny tears on the right edge of the front cover and small crease on the back cover. In Very Good to Excellent condition overall. This is an incredible scorecard which would be a significant addition to any substantial nineteenth-century memorabilia or baseball-card collection. Reserve $1,500.