Card Statistics
George “High Pockets” Kelly is presented in Helmar’s T3 series in a long, athletic fielding motion, striding across the infield with his glove low and his throwing arm extended after the play. The pale pinstriped uniform, blue cap, blue stockings, and sleeve insignia stand sharply against the green field, while the extraordinary sky moves through bands of green, yellow, orange, and red. The figure’s broad stride gives the composition considerable lateral movement and makes this one of the more active defensive portraits in this portion of the series. The printed nameplate reads “KELLY, NEW YORK AMER.,” although Kelly’s New York major-league career was with the National League Giants; Helmar’s T3 checklist identifies #110 as George Kelly of the New York Giants. (Helmar Brewing Co.)
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. She constructs the pinstriped uniform with pale cream and blue-gray washes, strengthening the shadows beneath the sleeves and through the trousers to describe Kelly’s twisting body. Brilliant blue in the cap and stockings gives the figure its principal color accents, while the brown glove supplies a warmer counterpoint. Particularly effective is the sky, where broad horizontal passages of green, yellow, orange, and scarlet create an almost sunset-like intensity above the comparatively simple fence and distant buildings.
George Lange Kelly, better known as “High Pockets” Kelly, was a tall, strong first baseman who became an important member of John McGraw’s great New York Giants clubs of the early 1920s. He developed into one of the National League’s leading run producers, leading the league with 94 RBI in 1920 and 23 home runs in 1921. Kelly helped the Giants win four consecutive National League pennants from 1921 through 1924 and World Series championships in 1921 and 1922. Over his major-league career he collected 1,778 hits, 148 home runs, 1,020 RBI, and a .297 batting average. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. (Baseball Reference)
Numbered #110, the Kelly card strengthens the substantial New York Giants representation in the T3 checklist. It belongs naturally beside Christy Mathewson, Rube Marquard, Fred Tenney, Emil Meusel, and other Giants subjects, while Kelly’s championship years carry that history into McGraw’s dominant clubs of the early 1920s. His imposing size, strong offensive record, and distinctive “High Pockets” nickname make him one of the more recognizable supporting stars of those championship teams.
Produced in Helmar’s distinctive handcrafted tradition, the card combines original watercolor artwork, a Hall of Fame first baseman, and an unusually vigorous fielding composition that gives Kelly a strong visual presence within the T3 series.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: Throwing, long stride
- Team: New York Giants
- Population (# Sold): 13
- First Date Sold: 2021-06-01
- Latest Date Sold: 2026-09-08
- Card Status: Active
- # Sold in past year: 1
- Highest Auction: $ 71.00
- Average Auction Result: $ 26.37
Popularity Rankings
Visit these teammates on the New York Giants in the T3-Helmar series
Click the Card # link to go to Card Info, Click the Player Name link to go the the Player Biography
- # 5, Fred Merkle
- # 18, Hooks Wiltse
- # 24, Joe McGINNITY (HOF)
- # 26, Roger BRESNAHAN (HOF)
- # 33, Rube Marquard (HOF)
- # 34, Christy MATHEWSON (HOF)
- # 35, John McGRAW (HOF)
- # 36, Fred Tenney
- # 38, Heinie Zimmerman
- # 47, Jim Thorpe
- # 70, Bill TERRY
- # 73, Jake BECKLEY (HOF)
- # 102, Irish Meusel
- # 105, Carl Mays
- # 142, Ross YOUNGS (HOF)
- # 145, Mel OTT
- # 162, Francis "Lefty" O'Doul
- # 164, Cy Seymour
- # 172, Dummy Taylor
- # 198, Carl HUBBELL
- # 205, Fred LINDSTROM (HOF)
- # 213, Buck EWING (HOF)
- # 222, Tim KEEFE (HOF)
