This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2022
Offered here is an ancient grouping of ten cards from the esteemed 1911 M116 Sporting Life set highlighted by a coveted Honus Wagner. All are graded PSA Poor 1 due entirely to remants of sticky residue on the reverse from album removal. The current grading standards have gotten insanely harsh as seven of the ten clearly have mid to high-grade eye appeal on the fronts. The list is as follows: Hans Wagner--Pastel Background (MC); Joe Tinker--Black Back (looks EX-MT on front); Nap Rucker--Black Back (NM on front); Harry Davis--Pastel Background (NM-MT on front); Admiral Schlei (EX on front, paper loss on back); Kitty Bransfield (EX on front); Harry Smith / Boston (GD+ on front with the spot staining); Babe Adams--Black Back (NM on front); Ed Summers--Black Back (NM+ on back); and Ed Lennox (MK across the face, but VG+ looking on the front with very minor paper loss on back.
The Wagner card, whlle miscut on the bottom edge obscuring his name and team, is well-centered with sharp corners and super clean borders. The leftover adhesive material on the reverse is not egregious by any means, as all blue print remains bold and perfectly legible. Tinker is nicely centered as well with very clean borders except the upper left. The image quality and clarity on the two Hall of Famers and everyone else is remarkable. And the optical illusion displayed by the two Pastel Backround variations (Wagner and Davis) is truly captivating. Produced during the heart of the tobacco card era, this set was well ahead of its time. What a fantastic starter group for any vintage collector looking to build this tough set. And what a golden opportunity for those hoping to complete it.