Lot # 511: 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #99 Frank Chance SGC VG 3

Graded VG 3 by SGC (submitted by REA). A very attractive example of key Hall of Famer Frank Chance as a member of the New York Yankees from the 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series. This is one of the most desirable of all Cracker Jack cards. The 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series cards were, of course, issued only in boxes of Cracker Jack, while the 1915 set of 176 cards was both issued in boxes and available in complete sets by mail. Only two Hall of Famers are among the 1914 Cracker Jack #144 series cards that were not issued in the 1915 series. One is #88 Christy Mathewson, who appears in a horizontal pitching pose in the 1914 set, as opposed to the more familiar portrait pose of the 1915 set. The other Hall of Famer who appears only in the 1914 set is #99 Frank Chance. Because there is no 1915 Cracker Jack alternative to the 1914 Cracker Jack Mathewson pitching pose, that card has in recent years jumped in value considerably and is now widely recognized as one of the great and most significant of all Cracker Jack cards. Card #99 Frank Chance has received very little attention but has the very same distinction. This is a very attractive example with even wear to the corners, bold colors, perfect registration, centered to the left, and with very light caramel staining (which is expected with #144 series Cracker Jacks). The card displays a few creases, which account for the assigned grade. The 1914 Cracker Jacks, of course, are also far rarer than their 1915 counterparts. This is a strong mid-grade example of one of Frank Chance’s most desirable cards from this classic set.