Card Statistics
Hal Chase is presented in Helmar’s T3 series with the New York Americans in an unusual trophy portrait, standing on the field while holding a large silver loving cup. His pale uniform, blue-and-red stockings, and blue cap stand against a softly rendered ballpark and city backdrop. The trophy immediately separates the card from the batting, pitching, and fielding poses that dominate the series, giving the image the character of a commemorative sporting portrait.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. She uses pale cream, gray, and blue washes to model Chase’s uniform, with stronger blue and red accents in the cap and stockings. Particular attention is given to the trophy, where layered gray and blue washes suggest the reflective metal surface without making it appear mechanically polished. The softly painted field and distant city structures recede behind the figure, allowing Chase and the cup to remain the clear focus of the composition.
Hal “Prince Hal” Chase was one of the most gifted—and controversial—players of the Deadball Era. He became the first major homegrown star of the New York Highlanders, establishing a reputation as an extraordinary defensive first baseman whose quickness, range, and unconventional one-handed fielding drew admiration from many contemporaries. Chase was also a talented hitter and baserunner, and later led the National League with a .339 batting average for Cincinnati in 1916. His considerable ability, however, was overshadowed by persistent accusations of gambling and deliberately influencing games, leaving him one of the most complicated figures in early baseball history. (Society for American Baseball Research)
Numbered #64, the Chase card gives the New York portion of the T3 checklist a subject whose appeal rests as much on baseball history and personality as on statistical accomplishment. His importance to the early Highlanders makes him valuable to collectors tracing the origins of the franchise that became the Yankees, while his brilliant fielding reputation and notorious gambling history give the card a distinctly different character from the conventional stars elsewhere in the series.
Produced in Helmar’s distinctive handcrafted tradition, the card combines original watercolor artwork, an unusual trophy composition, and one of the most fascinating and controversial personalities of the Deadball Era.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: with trophy
- Team: New York Highlanders
- Population (# Sold): 20
- First Date Sold: 2021-07-28
- Latest Date Sold: 2026-05-19
- Card Status: Retired
- # Sold in past year: 4
- Highest Auction: $ 86.00
- Average Auction Result: $ 24.02
Popularity Rankings
Visit these teammates on the New York Highlanders 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
