1915 Ed Konetchy PM1 Ornate Frame Fancy Border Pin

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This is a rare 1915 PM1 ornate frame fancy border pin of Ed Konetchy that has just surfaced in the hobby. (Purchased at an estate sale 3 months ago in Pennsylvania.) Konetchy played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Rebels, Boston Braves, Brooklyn Robins and Philadelphia Phillies. Produced in 1915, the scarce PM1 Ornate Frame pin set has always attracted the attention of collectors. The pins feature full body action poses of players of the period encased in a gilded metal frame. The player's name may or may not be displayed below the photo. The set checklist features 39 known variations of the 30 subjects in this set. Little is known about PM1 Ornate Frame Pins, such as who issued them, when and how they were distributed and how many are in the set. In fact, The Standard Catalog actually leaves gaps in the checklist, due to the fact that there are presumably pins from the set that have yet to be discovered. What is known is that the cost of each of these pins was 10 cents back in 1915 and they were originally affixed to a small white square paper card.This ultra rare pin still remains attached to its original 2" X 2" blank white card, something that is only rarely seen! (Although it appears the card has been trimmed down to 1 3/4" X 1 3/4", possibly to remove the original price of 10 cents.) PM1s are one of the most distinctive and popular of all early baseball pin issues. Sometimes referred to as the "fancy border pin set," PM1s are designed with an oval real photo set in an ornately designed mount. Surprisingly, new additions to this set are still being made at this late date. The photo has imperfections and image is somewhat light but not especially light for this series. Overall in Very Good condition. Measurements: 1-1/2” long x 1-1/4” wide (overall) x just over 1/4” thick (the height of the pin/clasp on the back; the oval photo measures just under 1-1/8” long x 3/4" wide. No markings on the fancy embossed border, nor the slightly convex metal back or to the six fold-over tabs that are connected to the rim of the frame. Condition: Very good with no nicks, chips, cracks, breaks, touch-ups or repairs. There is however, some age wear to the surface of the portrait commensurate with the age of the item. (See scan) The image is clear. The metal mount reveals moderate oxidation and tarnish, see photos. The action likeness of Konetchy is expressed in sepia tones and this particular pin is exceptional in its clarity. The clear image is moderately affected by surface wear, discoloration along the decorative border and inconsequential soiling. The broach clasp is intact. It is difficult to conceive that this treasure is rapidly approaching the century mark in age. The few hobbyists who have met with this rare issue are well aware that condition problems are accepted as an inevitability when collecting PM1's, with oxidation and damage to the delicate metal frame frame and scratching of the central image present on essentially all existing specimens. The Ed Konetchy PM1 pin is quite elusive. Only (1) one documented sale of this Konetchy pin and that was 6 years ago in a Legendary Auction. You will not see another one of these in quite awhile. Here is the most complete checklist currently available for this incredible set. (Subjects include 16 HOFers and 14 non-HOFers) 1915 PM1 Ornate Frame PinsPlayer Checklist # Player (1) Jimmy Archer (w/o name) (2) Frank Baker (HOF) (3) Jack Barry (4) Chief Bender (w/ name) (HOF) (5) Frank Chance (HOF) (6) Ty Cobb (HOF) (7) Jake Daubert (8) Al Demaree (White Hat Version) (9) Johnny Evers (no Chicago) (HOF) (10) Rube Foster (11) Dick Hoblitzell (12) Walter Johnson (no Wash) (HOF) (13) Benny Kauff (w/ name) (14) Johnny Kling (only known w/o name) (15) Ed Konetchy (16) Nap Lajoie (HOF) (17) Sherry Magee (18) Rube Marquard (HOF) (19) Christy Mathewson (side view)(HOF) (20) John McGraw (HOF) (21) Ed Reulbach (22) Eppa Rixey (HOF) (23) Babe Ru... read more

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