Lot # 18: 1884 Lawson's Base Ball Game Playing Card Complete Set (36) Plus Original Box

Issued in 1884 by the Lawson Card Company of Boston, Massachusetts, the Lawson's playing-card set features thirty-six cards with extremely striking baseball-related designs. The backs feature a very attractive baseball scene in blue and white. Offered is a complete 36-card standard-edition Lawson's set in outstanding overall condition. The set includes its original box, which accompanies. The set technically grades Poor due to various amounts of mostly ink writing on the fronts, otherwise averaging Vg in appearance. The set is also accompanied by the original 20-page instruction booklet explaining the rules of the game, which features a black-and-white woodcut of a batter on the cover, and a "value of cards" card (small marks, otherwise Vg-Ex), which explains the scoring of the game. The instructions are complete, with the cover separated from the rest of the stapled booklet, otherwise grading Fr due to creasing and small tears. The original box grades very modestly, with three missing panels, a tape repair, and two rubber stamps on the reverse. Total: 39 items (complete set of 36 cards, one rules booklet, original box, and "value of cards" card).