November 2010

Lot #3:

1914 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson PSA 7 NM

Perhaps the single most signifcant card from our break-up of the #1 current and all-time finest 1914 Cracker Jack PSA Set Registry is this sensational PSA NM 7 example of the legendary "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, the single, second-highest graded example on record at PSA, unmatched in its NEAR MINT 7 class and surpassed by just one superior graded one level higher, and likewise surpassed by just one single superior at SGC, a renowned GEM MINT example that most informed hobbyists believe will shatter all relative sales records and become the next $1 million baseball card if it ever comes to market. After the recent passing of the jovial hobby pioneer who, with one of his favorite cards, helped to put the respected grading firm of SGC on the map, much like the famous PSA 8 T206 Wagner helped bring PSA into existence, chances are virtually inevitable that the famed SGC 98 1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson will eventually make considerable headlines again, and here is a chance to own a stake in those inevitable headlines by adding to your collection the one card that most hobbyists agree is the third-finest graded copy in existence. Literally highlighted by an impressive near perfect saturation of the iconic red print of its backdrop, a close inspection of the obverse also reveals that hardly any blips of red print have exceeded the red backdrop, extending into clean cream-colored borders, as is unfortunately so common on most Cracker Jack cards from both 1914 and 1915. One crowing MINT corner can be observed at the top right, while the remaining points rate about NM/MT, with surprisingly little wear considering that the only way to acquire the card was to pull it directly from a box of candy, as opposed to the 1915 issue, which was available as both a redemption as well as from a small quantity of uncirculated examples discovered within the last decade. Considering the crude 1914 method of distribution, the fact that the offered example reveals only the slightest hint of caramel (on back and above the "w" of the word "was") is a minor miracle, perhaps even casting a shade of doubt on the idea that a true copy (and not some uncirculated proof) could exist with no caramel staining whatsoever. With its predominantly clean and borderline MINT surfaces and stalwart NM/MT perimeter, the only convincing NM feature to be found on the offered example is its self-evident NM obverse centering, an extremely mild imperfection analogous to the extremely mild offense for which "Shoeless" Joe Jackson was forever banned from the game. After analyzing every other facet of the card, the only remaining feature to discuss is the all-important central image itself, which most certainly is NOT the source for the conservative NM 7 assessment from PSA. The central image itself is essentially pristine, boasting such exceptionally precise and succinct applications of color to Joe's black and white cut-out photo that they produce the visual qualities of a true etching, classically finished off with that distinctive "powdery" effect favored by so many advanced Cracker Jack collectors. Words simply cannot convey how utterly scarce this card is with its combination of such high-grade qualities on both surfaces, nor really can words enthrall the admiring enthusiast as thoroughly as a moment or two of silent reverie, so sit back and inspect our super-sized image online, and take pleasure in this potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire an undisputed long-term hobby masterpiece of truly staggering heights, only from Mile High Card Company.