1914 E145 Cracker Jack #99 Frank Chance PSA POOR 1

Sold For:

$3,480

Year:

1914

Auction:

2025 January

Lot #:

744

Category:

Prewar Baseball Cards (1900-1941)

A very attractive example of key Hall of Famer Frank Chance from the 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series. This is one of the most desirable of all Cracker Jack cards. The 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series cards were, of course, issued only in boxes of Cracker Jack, while the 1915 set of 176 cards was both issued in boxes and available in complete sets by mail. Only two Hall of Famers are among the 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series cards that were not issued in the 1915 series. One is #88 Christy Mathewson, who appears in a horizontal pitching pose in the 1914 set, as opposed to the more familiar portrait pose of the 1915 set. The other Hall of Famer who appears only in the 1914 set is #99 Frank Chance. Because there is no 1915 Cracker Jack alternative to the 1914 Cracker Jack Mathewson pitching pose, that card has in recent years jumped in value considerably and is now widely recognized as one of the great and most significant of all Cracker Jack cards. Card #99 Frank Chance has received very little attention but has the very same distinction. Graded PR 1 by PSA, this is a very attractive example with bold colors, perfect registration, excellent centering, and with very light caramel staining (which is expected with #144 series Cracker Jacks). The card displays a diagonal crease near the top and some honest wear at the corners, which account for the modest grade. The 1914 Cracker Jacks, of course, are also far rarer than their 1915 counterparts. This is a very attractive card for the grade, providing a relatively affordable alternative to a far more expensive high-grade example of one of Frank Chance’s most desirable cards.