1914 Baltimore News Allen Russell SGC VG 3 - The ONLY Graded Example!

Sold For:

$3,720

Year:

1914

Auction:

2024 Fall

Lot #:

670

Category:

Prewar Baseball - 1910s and 1920s Cards

Graded VG 3 by SGC. This is the ONLY example that has ever been graded by SGC (no examples graded by PSA)! Extremely rare sample card from the legendary 1914 Baltimore News series featuring pitcher Allen Russell from the Baltimore Orioles of the International League. Issued in both red and blue variations, cards from this set measure approximately 2-5/8 x 3-5/8 inches. The reverse has home and abroad schedules for the Baltimore team during its 1914 campaign. The offered example has the remarkable provenance of remaining in the same Baltimore-area family for more than 100 years, during which time it was on display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum from 1998 until last year. Originally collected by a newspaper boy for the Baltimore News in its year of issue, the card was dutifully kept and preserved alongside fourteen additional examples from this set, including a Babe Ruth. This auction features a total of thirteen of the fifteen cards from this incredible collection. This example presents extremely well, with a strong image, even corner wear, and lightly faded borders The reverse is boldly printed and entirely clean. This is a tremendous sample card from the very rare and significant Baltimore News series, and it represents only the fourth non-Ruth example that we have ever had the privilege of offering. Opening Bid $2,500.