April 5, 2018: Sports & Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/5/2018
Hard to imagine owning anything cooler than an Old Judge card purportedly portraying the inspiration for Ernest L. Thayer’s legendary poem “Casey at the Bat.” While it may have been a 19th-century version of “alternative fact,” it’s true enough that Dan Casey of Philadelphia and three other major-league teams in a seven-year career sold the idea well enough that he was given a parade honoring him as “Casey” and was featured in a national radio broadcast asserting as much. Plus, he participated in a reenactment of “Casey at the Bat” at the ripe old age of 78. And this despite Thayer’s denial that the classic poem was based on an actual player. Principally a pitcher, Casey saw his most extensive playing time with the Philadelphia Quakers from 1886 to 1889, appearing in 142 games. He led the National League with a 2.86 ERA and four shutouts in 1887 as a Quaker, and over the course of his career compiled a 96-90 log with a 3.18 ERA and 743 strikeouts. Such an august record is duly commemorated here in a striking example of his Old Judge card, an example that actually presents a good deal better than its technical grade. With a strong, vivid image and corners that seemingly approach Excellent, the card is saddled with a lower designation because of oft-cited paper residue on the reverse and a stamping that reads “Aug. 1, 1904.”
1887 N172 Old Judge Dan Casey PSA 1
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