1910 E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Overview

Card Specs: 1.5" x 2.75" | 30 cards | Color | Classification: Candy/Caramel | E98

Issued around 1910, at a time when baseball cards were used by tobacco and candy companies as promotional tools, the E98 release stands apart due to its anonymity. The set of 30 cards lack any sign of manufacturer identification, advertising, or branding, however they do feature an extraordinary concentration of Deadball-Era talent, with 17 players ultimately inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Color variations of E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" set

Key figures include Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, Cy Young, and Connie Mack, along with the legendary Chicago Cubs double-play trio of Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance. Each player appears across four different background colors creating a complete master set of 120 total cards. In addition to the background color variations, the set includes two misprints: Cy Young's card shows a picture of Irv Young, and Fred Tenney's name is misspelled as “Tenny".

E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Cy Young & Fred Tenney errors

E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Card Design

Each card measures 1-1/2" by 2-3/4" and was printed on thin, matte stock typical of early caramel issues, leading to frequent edge wear and chipping, making high-grade examples extremely desirable among today's collectors. The card fronts feature color lithographic player portraits framed by clean white borders, with player names and team cities along the lower edge. The solid color backgrounds appear in four colors: red, green, orange, or blue. The backs are minimalist, displaying only a checklist of all 30 players beneath the heading “Set of 30,” with no manufacturer attribution or promotional messaging, leading to the set's enigmatic status.

1910 E98 Anonymous Honus Wagner

1910 E98 Card Distribution

The precise method of distribution for the E98 set remains uncertain, though evidence suggests the cards were used as promotional items by regional businesses. Some examples are known with “Old Put Cigar” stamps, confirming that at least one tobacco company repurposed the cards for marketing. Other cards may have been distributed through general stores, candy shops, or meat markets, possibly supplied to merchants by traveling salesmen.

The Black Swamp Find

In 2012, an incredible discovery reshaped the known population of the E98 set. A collection of pristine cards was uncovered in a family home in Defiance, Ohio - an area historically known as the “Black Swamp.” The cards had remained untouched for more than a century and emerged in near-mint or better condition, an unprecedented occurrence for the issue. The find was officially designated by PSA as the “Black Swamp Find,” instantly becoming one of the most significant hobby discoveries ever recorded and fundamentally altering population data for the set.

Eddie Collins & Chief Bender from the E98 Black Swamp Find

Recent 1910 E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Auction Sales

1910 E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Ty Cobb (Orange) SGC 3 - $28,800 - 2025 Summer Auction

1910 E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Cy Young (Green) PSA 9 - $13,800 - 2023 Spring Auction

1910 E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Honus Wagner (Green) PSA 8 - $11,100 - 2024 Summer Auction

1910 E98 Anonymous "Set of 30 Ty Cobb (Red) PSA 2.5 - $7,380 - 2026 February Auction

1910 E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Johnny Evers (Red) PSA 9 - $2,520 - 2025 Spring Auction

TO SEE MORE RECENT E98 ANONYMOUS "SET OF 30" AUCTION SALES, SEARCH "E98" IN OUR AUCTION ARCHIVE.

How to Sell 1910 E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" Cards

The E98 Anonymous "Set of 30" set is a mysterious entry in the prewar baseball catalog. However, one thing that's certain with the likes of Cobb, Wagner, and Mathewson, is that the set is highly valued among collectors. If you are interested in selling cards from this coveted set, reach out today to connect with a specialist for a free consultation.