Card Statistics
Ki Ki Cuyler is presented in Helmar’s T3 series with the Pittsburgh Pirates in a relaxed batting pose near the dugout, bat held across his body as he looks toward the field. The white Pittsburgh uniform, blue cap, and red-and-blue stockings create a vivid period color scheme, while the crowd behind him gives the card a more intimate ballpark setting than the broad open-field compositions used elsewhere in the series. The circular patch on the chest adds another distinctive visual detail and helps make this one of the more characterful Pittsburgh cards.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. She models Cuyler’s uniform with pale cream, gray, and cool blue washes, using stronger blue and red accents in the cap and stockings to organize the figure. The bat is rendered in warm brown tones, and the face is carefully modeled with deeper reds and shadows. The spectators are treated loosely, almost as a soft pattern of muted figures, which keeps the focus on Cuyler while still giving the painting a convincing sense of place.
Hazen Shirley “Ki Ki” Cuyler was one of the National League’s fastest and most dangerous outfielders of the 1920s and 1930s. He became a star with Pittsburgh, batting .357 in 1925 and helping the Pirates win the World Series that season. Cuyler later enjoyed major success with the Chicago Cubs, leading the National League in stolen bases four times during his career and finishing with 328 steals, 2,299 hits, and a .321 lifetime batting average. His combination of speed, extra-base power, and strong outfield play made him one of the most complete players of his era. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968.
Numbered #80, the Cuyler card adds another important piece to the Pittsburgh portion of the T3 checklist. Together with Fred Clarke, Max Carey, Vic Willis, and other Pirates subjects, it helps carry the team grouping from the club’s first championship generation into the 1925 World Series era. For Pittsburgh collectors, Cuyler is especially significant because he represents the offensive spark of that later championship club rather than the earlier Deadball dynasty.
Produced in Helmar’s distinctive handcrafted tradition, the card combines original watercolor artwork, a Hall of Fame outfielder, and a lively ballpark portrait with strong appeal to both Pirates and broader prewar collectors.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: Posed batting
- Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
- Population (# Sold): 20
- First Date Sold: 2021-01-26
- Latest Date Sold: 2026-07-14
- Card Status: Retired
- # Sold in past year: 3
- Highest Auction: $ 66.99
- Average Auction Result: $ 22.37
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Visit these teammates on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the T3-Helmar series
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