Lot # 2179: 1906 Mordecai "Three-Fingered" Brown Sunday American Flip Book

Presented is an extremely rare flip book, issued as an advertising item by the Sunday American newspaper in 1906, featuring Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame pitcher Mordecai "Three-Fingered" Brown. If this were a traditional baseball card, as opposed to a flip book, it would easily be one of the rarest sample cards in all of collecting. We would be surprised if more than just a few examples have survived in the entire collecting world. The flip book is designed to allow the viewer to see moving images of "The Famous Twirler of the Chicago Nationals" when the pages are "flipped." The short sequence of pages illustrates Brown's pitching windup and delivery. The book, which measures 2.25 x 3.75 inches, is one of only a few baseball flip books featuring stars of the day known from this early era. In fact, we think the entire universe of different baseball flip book subjects from this era numbers exactly three: We have seen Mathewson, McGinnity, and Brown. All are extremely rare! In overall Fair condition due to a number of obvious condition flaws, including creases, moderate-to-heavy surface wear, and light staining, but still a great find due to its extreme rarity. The important interior pages remain in Very Good condition.