During 1917, the Collins-McCarthy Candy Co. of San Francisco released one of the most important and iconic baseball card sets of the pre-war era. Representing the company's only venture featuring non-Pacific Coast League ballplayers (aka Zee-Nuts), this 200 card series measuring 2x3.25" and printed on thin card stock portrays black and white images of nearly every significant Major League player of the day. Card backs display the Collins-McCarthy company info along with series text including "Baseball's Hall of Fame." Designated as E135 in the American Card Catalogue, the exact same checklist and player photos were also used to produce even scarcer releases featuring advertising backs for Boston Store and Standard Biscuit Company. Although they are scarcer than any of the three advertising backs previously mentioned, a small number of examples from this set have been found blank on the reverse.

Presented here is a well preserved example of Shoeless Joe Jackson, a tragic figure in baseball history and easily one of the two most valuable cards from this treasured series, along with The Bambino himself, Babe Ruth. "Shoeless Joe" began his MLB career with ten scant games playing for the Philadelphia Athletics during 1908-09. Joe would move on to Cleveland in 1910, where he would quickly establish himself as one of the American League's brightest young stars and leading batters. Joining the Chicago White Sox during the 1915 season, Jackson would best be remembered for his banishment from professional baseball following the 1920 season by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis for his perceived involvement with the Black Sox scandal during the 1919 World Series vs. the Cincinnati Reds. Nonetheless, Shoeless Joe maintains to this day the third highest career batting average in MLB history at .356.  

Given "Authentic-Altered" by PSA due to slightest margin trim. However, eye appeal is exceptional. Card presents bright and clean w/bold and sharp image. Still a superb example for display. The PSA pop report indicates that this is one of only 11 examples encompassing all grade levels. Always a popular moniker within the hobby, the phrase "buy the card, not the grade" could not be any more appropriate than it is right here. Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a true masterpiece to your vintage/pre-war baseball card collection.