This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2020
Offered here is another key card from the 1886 "Brown's Champions" subset in the Goodwin Company's prestigious 19th century Old Judge N172 series. "Parisian Bob" Caruthers had an incredible nine-year career playing primarily for the St. Louis Browns and Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the American Association. Caruthers was one of the top pitchers in the Association, notching 175 wins with a 2.62 ERA over his six AA seasons and adding another 43 wins in the National League. A two-time 40-game winner, he pitched for five pennant winning teams. Among pitchers with 250 or more decisions, his 218 wins versus just 99 losses (.688) places him 2nd behind only Whitey Ford for the best winning percentage in MLB history. Caruthers was also a tremendous outfielder, appearing in 705 games and batting .282 lifetime with 695 hits, 508 runs scored and 359 RBI. Over a two-year stretch for the Browns (1886-87), he batted .347 with 12 HR, 25 triples, 134 RBI, 193 runs and 75 stolen bases, while also going 59-23 on the mound with a 2.78 ERA over 728 innings.
The 1-1/2" by 2-1/2" classic sepia card of the multi-talented star is graded PSA EX 5. This Caruthers Portrait in Striped Cap is one of only seven such versions in the PSA Pop Report, with only two rated higher (both EX-MT 6). The light photo, as is common with the issue, still provides outstanding facial detail with all of the printing visible and legible. There are no creases on this well-preserved example. Corners present EX. Some soiling is present on the back. A rare card that most collectors have never seen in person, featuring one of the top all-around players of his day.