Auction #11 - June 2022
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/26/2022
The N354 Consolidated Turn Card set is a (25) card set that can be found in a couple different sizes--one smaller size is 1-5/8" wide by 2-7/8" high and the second is just about 1/2" wider all the way around. The cards have holes punched at either end with small pieces of string/thread inserted. The intent is for the holder of the card to put the strings between the thumb and forefinger of both and and rotate or spin the threads which will cause the image to show movement when flipping between the images on the front and on the back.
To state that this set of (25) cards represents an incredible accomplishment would be an understatement. In the previous 10 auctions, we'd had a sum total of (1) of the N354 Consolidated Cigarette turn cards. While not super scarce, they do not pop up frequently. To have all (25) cards in this lot as a complete set is a phenomenal accomplishment. Two of the (25) cards are of the slightly larger size than the rest ("The Dance" and "A Quiet Game"). The cards in this lot include about 1/2 with either one or both of the strings inserted into the little holes on either end of the card which all appear to be original.
The single card pictured alone is of the subject "Three Strikes" and pictures a baseball batter and catcher. This card has to be one of the most difficult baseball-related type cards to obtain and is the first example we have ever seen.
This group of cards has some condition issues--most noticeably honest wear and some creasing. There are not any real 'dogs' in the group, however, and this turnkey set has to be one of the tougher 'oddball' sets of any mainstream 19th century collection.
Click above for larger image.