LOT #80019 |
Sold on May 11, 2017 for: Not Sold
1887 N690 Kalamazoo Bats Jim O'Rourke SGC 20 FR 1.5 - Only Three Known Examples! ...
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Description
1887 N690 Kalamazoo Bats Jim O'Rourke SGC 20 FR 1.5 - Only Three Known Examples! Baseball was still in its early years when Jim O'Rourke became one of its first superstars who is credited with belting out the first hit of the new National League in April of 1876. More commonly known as "Orator Jim," his verbal assaults on opponents earned him his nickname. O'Rourke played for 16 years, appeared in 1,644 games, batting .311 lifetime, amassed 2,146 hits on 6,884 at-bats, and scored 1,370 runs. Playing in both the National Association and Major League Baseball, O'Rourke was a giant on the ball field, a graduate of Yale Law School who practiced law during the off-season. After his professional years had passed, he continued to play minor league ball and made an appearance in 1904 for John McGraw's New York Giants at the ripe old age of 53. This is believed to be the oldest any man hit safely in a major league game.N690 Kalamazoo Bats are among the rarest baseball cards and a full checklist probably may never be known. They are also near the top of the desirability list as every vintage collector dreams of laying claim to at least one example. The N690 roster features players from the New York and Philadelphia teams of the American Association and National League. Cards of the New York are noticeably harder to find. It is amazing the awe and wonder these 2-1/4" x 4" cards can conjure in the hearts of hobbyists in the 21st century.
Graded SGC 20 Fair 1.5. This O'Rourke is one of just three recorded examples found on the SGC census report, PSA has yet to review their first. The photo image has retained a pleasing level of detail and a full range of values. The portrait is impacted by an obvious crease and is largely free of any other surface imperfections or dirt. The reverse shows light soiling and an ink notation reading "Present to Ella Sheeley by Mary L. Decker." New finds of 19th Century cards were historically few and far between. Those involving Kalamazoo Bat happened even far less. To discover a new example from a major release of a prominent figure in baseball history is a major addition to the hobby collective.
Auction Info
2017 May 11 - 13 Sports Collectibles Catalog Auction - Dallas #7190 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
May, 2017
11th-13th
Thursday-Saturday
Internet/Mail Bids: 7
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 710
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
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