This card from the Helmar T206 series pays tribute to the famed early-1900s tobacco
issue, reimagined by Helmar Brewing as a richly colored, small-batch art card.
Artist Sanjay Verma portrays Hall of Famer Joe Kelley of the Boston Nationals in a
crisp white uniform, his face modeled with warm, lifelike tones. The high collar,
simple gray cap with red "B," and flat green field against a pastel sky evoke the
clean, iconic look of Deadball Era portrait cards while adding modern depth and
texture. Verma’s brushwork emphasizes Kelley’s steady gaze and veteran presence,
capturing a player whose long career bridged nineteenth-century and early
twentieth-century baseball.

Kelley was a star outfielder for the powerful Baltimore Orioles of the 1890s before
moving on to the Boston Nationals and other clubs, earning a reputation as a tough,
clever hitter and daring base runner. Over seventeen major league seasons he posted
a .317 lifetime batting average and stole more than 400 bases, achievements that led
to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.