John Montgomery Ward better known as Monte Ward was a star pitcher and middle infielder in the late 1800s. He pitched the second Perfect Game in baseball history in 1880 for the NLs Providence Grays while serving as player-manager. After graduating from Columbia Law School in 1885 Å“ while playing for the New York Gothams/Giants Å“ Ward led players in creating the first professional sports labor union the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964.Among the 48-card set of the 1895 Mayo's Cut Plug N300 series Monte Ward is one of the most desirable to own. Presented here is the scarcer version in stunning SGC 70 EX+ 5.5 condition. According to SGC's pop report only 12 of these "2nd Base" versions have ever been encapsulated. This card stands alone as the highest graded example the next closest being a VG-EX 4. (SGC lists 38 total John Ward cards in their database.) Similarly PSA has only authenticated 12 "2nd Base" versions the highest being EX-MT 6 with a qualifier that would certainly leave it well below the value of this card.The beautiful in-focus portrait of Ward is well-centered (55-45 left to right) with no creases and spectacular image quality. The corners are uncannily sharp and edges for such an antique card. Cards with black or dark colored borders typically have trouble hiding any sort of edge wear but the four sides on this gem remain exceptionally smooth. There is a touch of spot soiling on the front and the blank black back is super clean. Overall incredibly rare pre-1900 treasure delivers amazing eye appeal and probably deserves an EX-MT rating or better to be fair.