October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
So, you’d love to own the M101-6 Felix Mendelsohn Joe Jackson card, but the bidding on that card might have passed you by, but you really desire a Hall of Fame card from this exclusive issue. Here is another prime, newly graded example from this utterly beautiful and extremely rare set of cards. This unbelievable 1917-20 Felix Mendelsohn George Sisler SGC 20 FAIR 1.5 is the only professionally graded copy extant, and is one of the rarest George Sisler cards in existence! Any M101-6 cards are extremely rare, but add to this fact Sisler was one of the greatest first basemen of his era, a Hall of Famer and offers a fantastic image of Sisler, ideally stretching for a teammates throw from across the diamond. These Felix Mendelsohn cards measure approximately 4-3/8” x 6-1/2” and were distributed over a four year period. By if distributed over this time period, why are these cards so rare, and until recently, only barely known by most of the hobby brethren? We have a few ideas, one which centers on World War I – one of the most terrible events ever. Right before this issue was to be distrusted, and right before the 1917 baseball season began, the United States declared war on Germany. Not exactly the best time for individuals to spend their hard earned (and now very scarce) dollars during wartime. Also, many of the persons capable of making the $5 purchase at the time were off to Europe to fight for our freedom. Whatever the reason, these cards are extremely rare, and this Sisler is the only known copy to have been graded and encapsulated. Sisler was a potent hitter, compiling a lifetime batting average of .340, including two season hitting over .400. During the 1920 season (the last year this set was distributed), Sisler belted out 257 hits, the record for most hits in any season. This is a record he held for 84 years until Ichiro Suzuki reached 262 hits in 2004. With Felix Mendelshon including all the great players from his day into this set, it was no surprise Sisler was a member of this distinguished M101-6 club. The card is graded by SGC at 20 FAIR 1.5, including three corners with various levels of creases, the most severe being a 1-1/2” crease in the upper right corner. The reverse has the “HELP TO LESSEN THE BURDEN OF WAR” stamp affixed to the middle, and there is a very light “M.R.” set of initials near the upper left corner. The image, however, is the key, and this Sisler image is crisp and highly focused, and one never seen on any other baseball card. The card easily exhibits as VG condition, with none of the above factors disturbing the flawless image.
The M101-6 Felix Mendelsohns are so rare; the combined encapsulated examples from both third-party grading services total 91 examples. This is the sole George Sisler graded by either SGC or PSA, and is one of the rarest cards ever produced for this great Hall of Famer. As with the M101-6 Jackson and Hornsby cards in this auction, Goldin Auctions is proud to present another extreme rarity within the baseball card hobby.