1888-89 N173 OLD JUDGE CABINET CARD - MIKE "KING" KELLY (HOF) RARE STREET CLOTHES VERSION.
Item Description
Presented here is one of those cards cultivated from an issue so rare that even some of the most advanced collectors in the hobby may not be aware of its existence. The N173 Old Judge Cabinet cards were issued by Goodwin & Co. in 1888-89 as a premium available only through the mail by exchanging 20 Old Judge cigarette pack coupons for your choice of baseball players selected from a roster that included every "prominent" player in the National and American Leagues as well as the Western Association. These exquisite cabinet cards typically consist of a 3.75x5.75" photograph affixed to a cardboard mount that measures approximately 4.25x6.5" with an ad appearing on front at bottom for Old Judge Cigarettes. Offered here is one of the most desirable yet most difficult to locate Hall of Famers from the entire N173 series, Michael "King" Kelly of the Boston Beaneaters and formerly of the Chicago White Stockings. Kelly was best known for his aggressiveness on the base paths and revered by Boston fans constantly utilizing the moniker, "Slide, Kelly, Slide". Caption on the photo reads "Kelly, Capt. Boston", a fitting title for "The King."
"King" Kelly began his Major League baseball career with the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1878, used primarily in the outfield while occasionally filling in as the team's back-up catcher. Kelly would play only one more season for Cincinnati before joining the Chicago White Stockings club prior to the 1880 season. Mike would star for Chicago over the next seven seasons, leading the National League in multiple offensive categories including: runs scored three times, doubles twice, batting average twice and on-base percentage twice. Subsequently, Kelly enjoyed four more very productive seasons for the Boston Beaneaters, through 1892, before finally concluding his illustrious career with the New York Giants in 1893. Mike would be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945.
Most hobbyists would be quite surprised as to the rarity of the offered card as Kelly was one of the most popular ballplayers of his era and, you would think, one of the most commonly requested redemption choices by his many adoring fans. Such is certainly the case with another of the era's most popular stars, Adrian "Cap" Anson, whose N173 card population easily exceeds that of Kelly by multiple times. One possible explanation, and a theory believed by many, is that several different photo variations existed for many of the ballplayers and there was no way of knowing or requesting which version you would receive from Goodwin & Co. in the mail. In this case, the street clothes version depicting Kelly was one of the toughest to find in the entire series. Other collectors received an image of Kelly in full uniform. Most of the Old Judge Cabinet cards from this series have a pale-yellow mount, such as the one presented here, but several other colors were utilized for various ballplayers and different variations as well.
SGC graded 2.5 Good+. The photo has near perfect centering on the mount. The blank back exhibits some very lt. and minor crease lines, most only seen upon close inspection, and do not transfer through to the front. The front of the mount shows lt. aging, as to be expected. Small traces of wear, again mostly only seen when viewed closely. The photo image is bold and distinct with great clarity and contrast. This museum level piece has great eye appeal and will surely stand out in any baseball memorabilia collection.
The offered street clothes version of King Kelly's N173 Cabinet card has a staggering history of prices realized at auction, made even more impressive by the fact that the prices realized were prior to the 2020 and subsequent sports card market boom. Back in August of 2012, a then newly discovered example sold for $71,200 (that card was not third party graded) and in March of 2019, a SGC 40 VG 3 example realized $61,770. Given the fact that this amazing relic is one of only five known to exist, these past auction results would seem to indicate relative bargains when compared to much more plentiful iconic cards within the vintage baseball card market such as the T206 Honus Wagner and Sporting News Babe Ruth RC that routinely bring seven-figure prices these days even in low to mid-grade condition. Further adding to the collectability of this incredible piece is the fact that at least a few advanced collectors are chasing every possible ballplayer who was pictured on the highly sought-after pale-yellow mounts, surely a tall task to complete and certainly a lifelong endeavor. Don't pass up your opportunity to own one of the 19th Century's greatest treasures, you may not get another chance at this one.
