Lot # 2: 1934 Doble Aguila Martin Dihigo (HOF) only known example!

Category: Featured

Starting Bid: $7,500.00

Bids: 0 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
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This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Auction #26",
which ran from 2/29/2020 10:00 PM to
3/7/2020 10:00 PM



Most collectors of Latin American baseball cards are familiar with the 1931 and 1932 Doble Aguila sets issued in Venezuela. There are cards of many Negro Leaguers in those sets, including five different cards of legendary HOFer Martin Dihigo. But very few collectors know that there were also Doble Aguila cards issued in 1934 and 1935. Between those two sets, there are a total of 6 examples known to exist. Three from each year. TOTAL! The 1934 set has a slightly greenish tint to the black borders you find on the 1931 and 1932 cards. The 1935 set has white borders (see lot #14).

1934 Doble Aguila cards were issued to commemorate games played between Royal Criollos and and American Atleticos on January 14th, 1934. Of the three examples, the highest is #23, so presumably there were at least 23 cards issued. Only three have ever surfaced. And one of them (#21) happens to be none other than Martin Dihigo batting. On the reverse it says, "Martin Dihigo conecta un rolling a segunda base." All three of the 1934 Doble Aguila cards that exist come from the collection of the top collector in Venezuela who collected Venezuelan baseball cards for over 60 years. I obtained them directly from him around 15 years ago. The other two examples (#2 and #23) both feature common or unnamed players. It's remarkable that Martin Dihigo was one of the cards that survived, making it both Dihigo's rarest card, and probably the best Venezuelan baseball card ever produced. A 1 of 1 Martin Dihigo card. Wow!

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