1911 T3 Turkey Red SGC-Graded Master Set (104)

Sold For:

$56,400

Year:

1911

Auction:

2025 Spring

Lot #:

10

Category:

Prewar Baseball Cards (1900-1941)

Offered here is a very presentable mixed-grade T3 Turkey Red complete set, assembled by a long-time collector over a period of many years. Turkey Red cabinet cards are one of the most highly prized of all tobacco issues, and are rarely offered as a complete set. They were available only by mail in exchange for coupons packaged with Turkey Red Cigarettes. Because Turkey Reds are large cards that are easily damaged, they are particularly difficult to find in high grade. This lot includes all 100 baseball players (#1-50 and #77-126) plus all four variations (#28, 90, 112, and 122) for a total of 104 cards. Each card has been professionally graded and encapsulated by SGC. At the time the SGC Registry was discontinued , this was the only fully completed T3 Master Set and the third highest ranked T3 set in terms of quality. Seventeen cards have a Turkey Red advertisement on the backs, one card has a rare checklist (no offer) back, while the balance are checklist (with offer) backs.

SGC Grading Composite: EX 60 (1 card): #86. VG/EX 50 (11 cards): #24, 27 Mathewson, 38, 41, 46, 89 (Ad Back), 92, 94, 106, 112 (Cincinnati), and 120 (Ad Back). VG 40 (18 cards): #3, 7, 36 Speaker, 39 Waddell, 40 Willis, 50, 80 Bender, 82, 85, 88, 95, 97, 102 (Ad Back), 109, 112 (Cincinnati & Philadelphia; Ad Back), 117, 122 (N.Y. and Boston; Ad Back), and 126 (Ad Back). GOOD 30 (12 cards): #20, 28 (Brooklyn), 28 (Brooklyn and Chicago), 33 (No Offer), 79, 100, 101 Keeler (Ad Back), 110 (Ad Back), 113, 116, 119, and 121. FAIR 20 (29 cards): #1 Brown, 5 Crawford, 12, 13, 15, 21, 22, 25, 29, 31, 32, 44, 45, 49, 78 Baker, 81, 84, 87 Collins (Ad Back), 90, 93, 98 (Ad Back), 103, 111 (Ad Back), 115, 118, 122, 123 (Ad Back), 124 Wallace, and 125 Walsh. POOR 10 (27 cards): #2, 4 Bresnahan, 6 Chase, 8 Clarke, 10, 11, 14, 16 Evers, 17 Griffith, 18 Jennings, 19 Joss, 23 Lajoie, 26 McGraw, 30, 34, 37, 42 Young, 43, 47 Chance, 48, 90 (Ad Back), 91 (Ad Back), 96, 99 Johnson, 107 (Ad Back), 108, and 114. Authentic (6 cards): #9 Cobb, 35 Tinker, 77 (Ad Back), 83 (Ad Back), 104, and 105.

T3s are big cards, which due to their large size tend to be more easily subject to corner wear and creases than smaller cards. This collection represents a rare opportunity to purchase a complete mostly low-grade set, with many very attractive cards, among them many key Hall of Famers. Overall very consistent and reasonably uniform in grade throughout (though ranging in grade as noted), with many cards having superior eye-appeal than their technically accurate grades. Total: 104 cards (set of 100 Baseball subjects plus four variations). The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.