Lot # 2340: Circa 1910 Harry Pulliam Cigar Box Exterior Side Label

Circa 1910 Harry Pulliam cigar label. The colorful label (4.25 x 4 inches) features an illustration of the former National League president in formal attire, with images of baseball equipment on either side of him. As President of the National League, Harry Pulliam was the subject of tremendous criticism relating to his handling of the Merkle affair of 1908. The pressure of this criticism, combined with his mental instability, led Pulliam to commit suicide while in office on July 28, 1909. Pulliam's good friend John Heydler took over as President of the National League for the remainder of the 1909 season and later served in that position from 1918 to 1934. This label almost certainly originates from a modern find, made many years ago, when an unopened case of Pulliam Cigar labels was discovered, direct from the printer, all in top condition. Since that time, most have been absorbed in the hobby, and they are not nearly as common today.