Lot # 26: 1889 N172 Old Judge Bid McPhee SGC EX+ 5.5

Graded EX+ 5.5 by SGC. Extremely rare and desirable 1889 N172 Old Judge of Hall of Famer Bid McPhee (#317-4 pose) dating from his playing days as a second baseman with the Cincinnati Red Stockings. McPhee is perhaps the single rarest of all the Hall of Famers in the Old Judge set. Many historians were surprised by McPhee's election to the Hall. His .275 lifetime batting average over 18 seasons does not on the surface appear to warrant election, but McPhee was widely considered to be the very best fielding second baseman of his era, and he is now the only 19th-century second baseman in the Hall. This card displays light image contrast, even corner wear, and a clean blank reverse. An exceptional example of one of the most highly prized and significant rarities in the N172 Old Judge set.