Mid-Summer Classic Auction 2013

Very high demand card of Hall of Fame member Harry Wright, MGR. Phila's (Portrait, head looking right) from the historic 1887 N172 Old Judge tobacco issue. Wright was a key member and organizer of the first all professional baseball team, the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings. In 1871 Wright brought several members from that team with him to Boston of the newly organized National Association, the first openly professional organization. In the 5 year existence of the National Association, Wright's Boston Red Stocking teams won league Championships 4 times, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1875. In 1876, Boston joined the newly formed National League. Wright then piloted the Red Caps to Championships in 1877 and 1878. He moved on the Providence for 1882 & 1883 with resulting 2nd and 3rd place finishes. From 1894 through 1893 he was manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. Wright finished his managerial career with 1225 wins and 885 losses for a .581 winning percentage. He was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1953. The offered PR SGC 10 card displays much better than the given technical grade. Picture toward the top light but image of Wright is very recognizable. Corners actually EX+ to EX-MT. A little light soiling on front with a very clean back. Main reason for the low rating is probably the areas of surface paper loss at all four corners on back, the result of album removal. Very decent card for the low grade. Pose 510-1. (From the excellent publication "Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Co. 1886-1890").