Lot # 21: 1886 N172 Old Judge Stephen Brady Spotted Tie SGC FAIR 20

Extremely rare 1886 N172 Old Judge "Spotted Tie" of Stephen Brady (Pose #39-1). The "Spotted Tie" series, featuring sixteen players from the New York Mets of the American Association, is one of the rarest and most desirable subsets of the N172 Old Judge set. Each player is featured in a portrait pose with his distinctive "spotted tie." According to the comprehensive book The Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Company (1886-1890) - referred to commonly as the "Old Judge Book" - Brady is one of the top 20 rarest subjects (outside of the virtually impossible eighteen California League cards) in the N172 set. Presented is a solid low-grade example from this very rare series. Graded FAIR 20 by SGC, the well-centered card displays even wear on the corners, excellent photo contrast, and evidence of album removal on the blank reverse (a black ink stamp is present as well). This is still a very appealing example from the "Spotted Tie" series, which has always been considered to be among the most elusive and significant of all Old Judge subsets.