Auction #5 - June 2020
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/28/2020
The N283 Buchner Gold Coin Offenders and Defenders set is one of many Buchner sets from the 1880's to 1890's and is likely one of the odder card sets issued during this timeframe. The card set, like its name, pictures Offenders (Criminals) and Defenders (Police) from what is likely the New York, Boston and Northeastern area of the United States during this period. The 'cards' are actually booklets that were folded in half and inserted into the tobacco packages. Often found torn in half, they are immensely difficult to locate in any condition, much less complete and they have grown exponentially expensive as a few advanced collectors volley to build their collections. The set numbers 200 card/booklets in total so complete collections are unlikely.
This lot is for a single N283 picturing John Irving. The redemption on the back of these cards are for a handsome gilt bound book (or album) called Defenders & Offenders that have all 200 subjects from the individual cards pictured. The album is one of the tougher albums from the tobacco group to obtain but each individual card within the 200 card set are infinitely more difficult to obtain than is the album. The card has been graded by SGC as Authentic and has some writing on the back of the card.
N283 Buchner Gold Coin Offenders and Defenders - John Irving SGC "A"
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