1914 Cracker Jack #109 Fred Blanding PSA GOOD+ 2.5

1914 Cracker Jack #109 Fred Blanding PSA 2.5 - A Cleveland Arm from Cracker Jack’s Debut

The 1914 Cracker Jack #109 Fred Blanding brings us back to the Cleveland pitching staffs of the Deadball Era. Blanding spent his Major League career with the Cleveland Naps, pitching alongside legends such as Nap Lajoie and Shoeless Joe Jackson. Set against Cracker Jack’s brilliant red background, his portrait has the unmistakable visual punch that makes even the deeper subjects in this legendary checklist instantly recognizable.

Graded PSA GOOD+ 2.5, this example is a genuine survivor from Cracker Jack’s original 1914 release. These cards faced an unusual obstacle from the very beginning: they were inserted directly into boxes of Cracker Jack, where contact with the caramel-coated contents made staining and surface issues commonplace. More than 110 years later, a graded example like this carries the kind of honest character that fits naturally with an untouched piece of Deadball Era cardboard.

Blanding was a productive pitcher during his relatively brief Major League career, winning 18 games for Cleveland in 1912 and finishing his four seasons with a winning record. His career also became intertwined with the Federal League battle of the mid-1910s, adding another interesting layer to his place in baseball history.