The 1908-10 E91 American Caramel set features generic pictures of players but real names. So while the poses are used for more than one player, the values of the individual cards still vary depending on the name on the card. In all, the set consists of three 33-card subsets, known as E91A, E91B, and E91C. The E91C subset, however, contains the majority of the big names.
Recently, I highlighted some key cards in the E90-1 American Caramel set. With all due respect to Harry Hooper and Eddie Plank who both appear in the set, here are five key cards in the 99-card E91 set.
Honus Wagner (E91C)
Wagner’s card is the key to the entire E91 American Caramel set. Others are valuable, of course, but Wagner’s is the most expensive, which is the case in many of the sets in which he appears. Like many of his cards, Wagner is referred to as ‘Hans’ here instead of Honus. Even in lower grade, it is difficult to find under four figures and is usually significantly more. An SGC 30 recently sold on eBay for more than $2,300.
Tris Speaker (E91C)
Aside from Wagner, Speaker’s is the most important card of a position player in the E91 American Caramel release. Both are found in the 1910 E91C set and Speaker’s is another high-dollar card. It isn’t in the ballpark of the more popular Wagner, but you can still expect to pay around $200 or so for one not in poor condition. An SGC 30 sold for about that amount in a 2015 auction.
Christy Mathewson (E91A/E91B)
Mathewson actually has two cards in the set – one in the E91A subset and one in E91B. Both cards are heavily desired and among the more valuable in the entire release. One annoying thing is that both are also errors as his last name is misspelled on each. Matty was one of the top pitchers of all time and his cards are highly desired. Even in low grade condition, each card can sell for a few hundred dollars and in mid-grade condition, it usually starts around $500. The highest-graded E91A, a PSA 5, sold at auction for more than $1,100.
Smoky Joe Wood (E91C)
With all due respect to Hall of Fame pitcher Eddie Plank who is featured in the E91A/E91B sets, Wood’s card gets the nod here. Plank had the better and longer career, but Wood’s card is a little more important because it’s considered by most to be a true rookie card. The card generally starts in the $200-$300 range in mid-grade condition. Wood’s issue is also a nice addition because with a relatively short career, he simply doesn’t have too many contemporary cards.
Walter Johnson (E91C)
Like Wagner, Johnson’s card is found in the star-studded E91C set – easily the most desirable of the three subsets. One of the most prestigious pitchers of all time, it’s no surprise that WaJo’s card is also one of the more expensive in the set. According to the PSA pop reports, it’s second only to Wagner for most copies graded in the E91C issue. Johnson’s card is in the same neighborhood as Matty’s issues, starting around $400-$500 for a decent copy.
You can see E91C cards for sale and auction on eBay by clicking here.
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