Description

1903 E107 Breisch Williams - Type 1 Rube Waddell Rookie PSA VG-EX 4 - None Higher. The E107 series was the only comprehensive set of baseball cards to appear between the mid-1890's and the dawn of the golden age of 20th Century cards which began in earnest in 1909. Thanks to their fateful date of circulation, the Breisch Williams set includes stars who bridged the gap between the centuries. The card being offered is of Hall of Fame pitcher Rube Waddell of the Philadelphia Athletics. Waddell was perhaps the flakiest and most undependable major league star of all time. He was a man known to show up "under the weather" for games regularly. His legendary manager Connie Mack once remarked, "The Rube has a two-million-dollar body and a two-cent head." Matching boundless talent with erratic behavior born of mental illness and nightmares. Despite his frailties, Waddell was inducted into Cooperstown in 1946.

Graded PSA VG-EX 4. One of four at this grade level which is the highest for any PSA graded card. Only six total have been reviewed by PSA. The portrait of the Hall of Fame pitcher is unaffected by creases and is clear and finely detailed. The borders are a pleasing frosty white. The reverse has the coveted "One of a hundred and fifty prominent Baseball players" copy line is dominant on what would otherwise be a blank reverse. This is the earliest insert card appearance by Rube and is considered by many to be his rookie appearance. Only a Sporting Life cabinet premium predates. Another bonus for E107 enthusiasts are the mostly in-uniform but formal portraits, all the work of Carl Horner.

Guide Value or Estimate: $30,000 - up.