For the first time in hobby history, each of the four 1919 World Series games played at Cincinnati's Redland Field (Games 1, 2, 6 & 7) are being offered in the same auction, an unprecedented scenario considering how hard it is to find just one stub from any of the eight games played.

No event in baseball history has ever carried as much weight and intrigue as the 1919 World Series, the infamous Fall Classic that branded the Chicago White Sox as the “Black Sox” and nearly toppled our national pastime. Offered here is a remarkable surviving relic from that tainted series, a ticket stub from Game 7, played October 8, 1919, at Cincinnati’s Redland Field. Encapsulated by PSA and graded EX 5, it stands as the highest graded example of this ticket, sharing that distinction with just one other.

The contest itself was one of the most fascinating chapters in the scandal. Eddie Cicotte, the staff ace who had already lost Games 1 and 4 under suspicious circumstances, took the mound and turned in a complete-game victory, defeating Slim Sallee and the Reds by a 4-1 score. Historians have long pointed to Game 7 as evidence of the fixers’ fraying arrangement, with unpaid promises reportedly prompting several conspirators to play it straight. The win pulled Chicago within a game in the best-of-nine series, though Cincinnati would clinch the championship the very next afternoon. Ultimately, eight White Sox players, including "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Buck Weaver and Cicotte, would get lifetime bans from baseball by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis.

Printed as “Game 4” to denote Cincinnati’s fourth home date of the series, this vivid orange stub admitted its bearer to the Lower Grand Stand, Box No. 79, via the Main Entrance on Findlay Street – all laid out on the right side. The left side of the perforated dividing line has "Cincinnati National League Base Ball Club" and "World's Series 1919 Redland Field" printed in black. "GAME 4" (officially Game 7) is boxed in bold red print. Admission price was $6.00 with a 60-cent war tax. A large "Rain Check" with fine print explanation in black is followed by "The Roessler Bros., Cincinnati" printer credit in red at the bottom. The reverse provides the rain check terms with a facsimile signature of Cincinnati Reds club president August Herrmann and references the Revenue Act of 1918.

Both sides present wonderfully with clean orange color, legible text, bold red game designations, a crease-free surface, smooth edges, and soft but well-preserved corners. If there is a Game 7 stub out three in equal condition, it would be hard to measure up to this one. An extraordinary artifact from baseball’s darkest hour, and a cornerstone acquisition for any advanced collector. Encapsulated PSA EX 5 (highest graded, pop two).

It should be noted that no unused tickets from any game of the controversial 1919 World Series are known to exist. Vintage baseball ticket stubs from this era often featured a main body, a gate/turnstile stub section, and a rain check coupon. This is considered a complete stub with two sections as opposed to a torn partial stub with just one remaining, making it far more valuable. At this time, there are only 11 complete stubs from Game 7 in the PSA population report, with this being the highest grade. A complete Game 1 stub graded PSA GD 2 recently sold for over $30,000. Last year, a PSA 2 stub from the clinching Game 8 sold for nearly $60,000.