1.25x1-7/8" Cuban card from the fabled Punch Cigars series which is among the most popular and sought after of all Cuban series based on its age, rarity and line-up. The scarcity of this set in part is based on an album that was available only by turning in a full set of cards. Issued contemporary with a visit by the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia A's for an exhibition series of games in Cuba between Nov. 10 and Dec. 5, 1910. Glossy portrait photo with text at bottom "Almendares 1910 Jose Mendez P." Image remains crisp, clear and bold. Cards in this set were originally issued with the photo pasted onto a cardboard backing. Only a very small percentage of cards from this set exist with the backing and all graded punch cards w/o backing are classified as "A" authentic. This is the key card in the set and is in the 2011 Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards with a single listing of VG at $30,000. The next highest value card is Ty Cobb which is listed at $11,250. However, in our last auction we sold a Cobb SGC A for $13,772. The "Black Diamond" as Mendez was referred to was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2006 and is one of the true legends of the game including his accolades as both player and coach in the Negro Leagues. This is the definitive Mendez card and one of the most sought after Cuban baseball cards period. Designated by SGC as being from the "Richard Merkin Collection" and comes with Hake's COA.