Lot # 50: 1888 N28 Allen & Ginter Timothy Keefe SGC EX 5

Graded EX 5 by SGC. Beautiful mid-grade N28 Allen & Ginter of Tim Keefe. This example displays brilliant colors, a crisp image, and light corner wear. Boldly printed checklist reverse. This tobacco card was issued at the peak of Keefe's Hall of Fame career. His 35 victories (against just 12 defeats) and 1.74 ERA both led the league in 1888. His records in previous years were equally impressive: 35 victories in 1887, 42 in 1886, 32 in 1885, 37 in 1884, and 41 in 1883. These seasons together, from 1883 to 1888, might have been the most dominating six seasons for any pitcher in any era. Keefe's total won-loss record for the six seasons was 222-108. He went on to win a total of 342 games in just 14 years (1880-1893). This is a very attractive mid-grade card of one of baseball’s greatest pitching legends from one of the most popular of all nineteenth-century sets.