Summer, 2013 Auction
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There are few 19th Century issues that epitomize the term "scarce and desirable" the way the 1887 N690 Kalamazoo Bat cards do.  Issued between 1886 and 1887, the "K-Bats" are CDV-sized photographic cards mounted on heavy cardboard.  While some have advertising printed on the reverse, this particular card is of the blank-backed variety.

Tough 19th Century cards are often the passion of advanced, long-time collectors that prefer their cards ungraded in their collection.  However, we acknowledge that grading company population reports, while never accurate enough with issues like this to be the "bible," are an excellent barometer of relative scarcity.  As such, we will report that between PSA and SGC, just over 200 K-Bats have been graded in total, with Townsend represented by a total of 3 different graded examples.

The scarcity of Kalamazoo Bats cards, coupled with their desirability among advanced collectors, means that they don't trade hands very often.  Assembling a complete set is merely impossible, with just one registered set between the PSA and SGC registries combined (an SGC-registered set that is barely over half complete).  As such, even lower grade examples routinely sell for several thousand dollars.

This example, of weak-hitting catcher George "Sleepy" Townsend of the Philadelphia Athletics, pictures him poised behind the plate, fingerless glove on his right hand.  Graded POOR 10 by SGC for the obvious reason of the tape on the front and back, repairing the tear in the card, as well as the tear at Townsend's feet, this is not a card one collects due to condition.  This is a card one collects due to scarcity - and with just three graded copies in existence, scarcity is in abundance.  

Population Data
SGC Population: 3 total graded, 1 at this level, 2 higher
PSA Population: 0 graded

*Note that the waviness on the back of the card is due to scratches in the holder, not the card itself.
1887 N690 Kalamazoo Bats George Sleepy Townsend - SGC POOR 101887 N690 Kalamazoo Bats George Sleepy Townsend - SGC POOR 10
1887 N690 Kalamazoo Bats George "Sleepy" Townsend - SGC POOR 10
Click above for larger image.
Current Bidding
Minimum Bid: $250
Final prices include buyers premium.: $325
Number Bids: 2
Auction closed on Sunday, August 25, 2013.
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