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T4 Obak Premiums
22 Lots
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One of the rarest issues known. Coupons inserted in packs of 1911 Obak cigarettes could be accumulated and redeemed for a premium. The 5" x 7" cards consist of a 5" x 3 1/2" oval picture embossed on a blank gray cardboard. The photos in most cases, match the poses used in the T212 1911 Obak set. Theoretically, a premium exists for each of the 175 players in the 1911 Obak set. The reality is that at the time of publication of The Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards in 1986, 29 Obak Premiums were known. In 2005 Krause Standard Catalog only listed 37 known full premiums.  Premiums are not identified with the players name, however, almost all had a number written in pencil on the rear of the card which can be easily identified by looking at the checklist of the 1911 Obak set on the coupon issued with the set (click here for Illustration). It was also possible, though not common to find the number engraved on the plate and thus appearing on the lower right portion of the front of the card. All cards have a crossed bats and ball symbol appearing in white on most cards. Cards have been found that have been trimmed around the oval. I believe the following group is the largest ever publicly offered of full cards and include all those issued for the San Francisco Seals.
 Lot 10. T4 Obak Premium #86 Buck Weaver, San Francisco. The ill-fated Weaver's only year in the PCL was 1911 with the Seals. His connection with the 1919 "Black Sox" is a part of baseball history. His Obak Premium card is one of the most desired cards in the hobby and is by far the most visible and valuable in the set. The card has a tiny wrinkle in the upper left corner, has some album paper remains on the rear. "Weaver, San Francisco, Shortstop, Team 1911" is written in ink at the top of the rear. Very good-excellent.
Winning Bid $22,987.
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 Lot 12. T4 Obak Premium #39 Walt McCredie, Portland. A top outfielder for Portland in the early 1900's whose career had all but diminished by 1911. Excellent + card with #39 written in pencil on the rear.
Winning Bid $4,189.
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 Lot 13. T4 Obak Premium #70 Roy McArdle, San Francisco. Seal infielder who must have been a good fielder, because he sure couldn't hit. Unusual and striking card with very dark color. Name, team and position written in ink at top of back of card with #70 written in pencil.
Winning Bid $2,148.
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 Lot 14. T4 Obak Premium #71 Henry Melchoir, San Francisco. Outfielder played for the Seals in 1907-1911. Excellent-mint card has number 71 written in pencil on the rear corner. The number #71 also shows in the lower right corner of the front where it was engraved on the plate.
Winning Bid $2,600.
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 Lot 15. T4 Obak Premium #72 Oscar Vitt, San Francisco. Vitt's substantial baseball career started with the Seals in 1910 and 1911. Subsequently he played in the American League for ten years and returned to the PCL in 1922 for another 8 years. Striking card with black background in oval and very light surrounding area. Excellent +.
Winning Bid $2,953.
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 Lot 16. T4 Obak Premium #73 Cack Henley, San Francisco. Henley was a top pitcher in the PCL for 11 years, mostly for the Seals. He won 35 games in 1910 and 218 over the 11 years. Name, team and position and "team 1911" written in ink at top of back of card with #73 written in pencil. The number is also embossed on the lower right of the front of the card. Excellent-mint.
Winning Bid $2,148.
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 Lot 18. T4 Obak Premium #75 Frank Miller, San Francisco. Pitched three years for the Seals (1910-1912) and won exactly 20 games each year (and lost 58). Excellent-mint card has number 75 written in pencil on the rear corner.
Winning Bid $2,148.
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 Lot 19. T4 Obak Premium #76 Tom Tennant, San Francisco. The first baseman had a six year career in the PCL. Near mint front with name, team and position and "team 1911" written in ink at top of back of card with #76 written in pencil. Ex-mt.
Winning Bid $2,148.
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 Lot 20. T4 Obak Premium #77 Kid Mohler, San Francisco. 2" crease on left side. Mohler was at the tail end of a good career, mostly with the Seals as a 2nd Baseman. He managed the Seals from 1907-1912. Excellent front has a 1/4" cut at the bottom of the card and a 3" crease coming in from the left. The name, team and position and "team 1911" written in ink at top of back of card with #76 written in pencil. Very good.
Winning Bid $1,418.
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 Lot 21. T4 Obak Premium #78 Hunky Shaw, San Francisco. Shaw, an infielder had a brief career in the PCL consisting of a token appearance in 1904 and then two years with the Seals in 1910 and 1911. Ex-mt front has name and team "team 1911" written in ink at top of back of card with #78 written in pencil.
Winning Bid $2,363.
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 Lot 22. T4 Obak Premium #79 Harry Suter, San Francisco. "Handsome Harry" pitched successfully for the Seals for 4 years between 1908-1912. Ex-mt front has name, position and team "team 1911" written in ink at top of back of card with #79 written in pencil.
Winning Bid $2,148.
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 Lot 24. T4 Obak Premium #81 Walter Ryan, San Francisco. Ryan appeared in only 10 games for the Seals in 1911. The card has 3 tiny pinholes and has name, team and position and "team 1911" written in ink at top of back of card with #81 written in pencil.
Winning Bid $1,774.
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