Kid Nichols Rookie Card?

[oldjudge]

Barry, it is insights like that that get you nominated for the hobby's Mt. Rushmore.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Barry, it is insights like that that get you nominated for the hobby's Mt. Rushmore.

It's hard work being clever.

[barrysloate]

And since you asked, I consider the N172 to be Nichols's rookie card. It makes no sense to say the N300, issued eight years later, is it. I know his team is Omaha but as far as I'm considered that's a stone's throw from the majors. I go for whichever is issued first, although I admit there could be exceptions.

[Kenny Cole]

I simply don't care. I like both the N172 cards and the Mayo and have each. It doesn't matter to me at all which one is his rookie. Frankly, the whole "rookie" thing has never made very much sense to me, although looking at relative card values, many others obviously feel very differently about that. Collect what you like and all is good IMO.

[puckpaul]

I am partial to Nichols 1898 National Copper Plate, my favorite set due to the great picture and hugely informative back narrative.

[oldjudge]

This question originally arose because I am in the midst of reading a biography of Kid Nichols by Richard Bogovich. While reading this, I learned that the Old Judge set could have easily had one additional HOFer. In 1889, Kid Nichols played for Omaha in the Western Association. Managing that team was future HOFer Frank Selee. Since the Old Judge set featured some manager cards, Selee could have had a card (and in fact one may be eventually found). In fact, it was because of a promise to Selee that Nichols moved to Boston with Selee for the 1890 season. If not for Selee, Nichols’ preference was to join Cincinnati in 1890. Imagine how this would have altered the balance of power in the NL?

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

This question originally arose because I am in the midst of reading a biography of Kid Nichols by Richard Bogovich. While reading this, I learned that the Old Judge set could have easily had one additional HOFer. In 1889, Kid Nichols played for Omaha in the Western Association. Managing that team was future HOFer Frank Selee. Since the Old Judge set featured some manager cards, Selee could have had a card (and in fact one may be eventually found). In fact, it was because of a promise to Selee that Nichols moved to Boston with Selee for the 1890 season. If not for Selee, Nichols’ preference was to join Cincinnati in 1890. Imagine how this would have altered the balance of power in the NL?

Finding a Selee would be huge. And yes, had Boston been without perhaps the best pitcher of the 1890s, that would substantially altered the balance of power.