This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/26/2009
Graded 40 (3) VG by SGC. Offered is the rookie card of the great American tragedy known as "Shoeless Joe" Jackson. Jackson is pictured here as a member of Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics, with who he played a mere ten games before Mack shipped him to Cleveland for the light hitting Bris Lord. Jackson was known as something of a "rube" while enduring his time in Philadelphia by both his teammates as well as management. When he resurfaced in Cleveland, however, his teammates accepted his country ways and limited education in exchange for his immense talents on the field. Once left alone to ply his trade, Jackson batted a robust .408 during the 1911 season and smacked an astounding 26 triples the following year. The offered relic is one of astonishing pride, as if some young caramel-coated, sticky-fingered kid knew of the importance this pasteboard would one day enjoy. An exceptionally mild to slightly moderate uniform amount of wear is present at the corners while the astounding interior of this collectible is featured at a strong NM or better level with absolutely no thought of creasing. The exactness and registration of the hallowed image is second to none and shows the legendary ballplayer in a perfect essence. The focus is such that the all important application of the red to the ballplayer's lips is exact and appears far from the expected norm. The image of the white uniform is exceptional and leaves the viewer shocked at the overall appearance of this fantastic relic. The royal plum color surrounding Jackson is also measured at the very top of the level of expectations and seemingly lifts the offered card to another plateau. The reverse is well imaged and provides a deeply black printed advertisement for the American Caramel Company. At the bottom of the card there is a small unobtrusive light stain that is in no way a harbinger of ill effect but in some way may have been a stumbling block to a more advanced assessment from the overly assertive grading team at SGC. A stunning and era-defining collectible of the immortal "Shoeless Joe," offered in exceptionally high-end and wildly pleasing VG condition bordering on VG/EX with an array of significantly above-grade qualities.