Lot # 32: 1887 N172 Old Judge "Watch" Burnham Portrait with Bowler Hat PSA VG-EX 4

Graded VG-EX 4 by PSA. Striking example of this particularly rare and distinctive N172 portrait pose (with bowler hat) of Indianapolis Hoosiers manager George Walter "Watch" Burnham (#55-1, the only pose of Burnham featured in the series). This is also an extremely rare card in the Old Judge set, as well as being a particularly desirable portrait card. Burnham managed the Hoosiers of the National League for only twenty-eight games in 1887. Before managing the Hoosiers, he was a major league umpire in the National League. In 1883, he called balls and strikes for a no-hitter thrown by "Old Hoss" Radbourn. Legend has it that he got his nickname ("Watch") when it was discovered that a gold presentation watch that was given to him was actually arranged to be presented and was paid for by Burnham, and was not the generous gift of admiration and respect that he led others to believe. The offered example has light wear on the corners and, as is often the case with Old Judges, the picture is a little light. The blank reverse has light toning. This is a striking and extremely rare N172 Old Judge pose.