Honus Wagner Baseball Card Auctioned for $791,000 at Philip Weiss
Published November 28th, 2008
A rare T206 Honus Wagner baseball card – one of only a handful of known examples released into circulation in the early 1900s by the American Tobacco Company and often called the Holy Grail of sports collectibles – soared to $791,000 at a three-day multi-estate sale held Nov. 21-23 by Philip Weiss Auctions. The card was the top lot in a sale that grossed about $1.8 million.
“The only thing keeping the card from realizing a lot more money was its condition, which was SGC graded 3,” said Philip Weiss of Philip Weiss Auctions. “Still, the pre-sale estimate was $500,000-$800,000, and it ended up selling toward the high end of that range. What added to its allure was the fact that it was fresh to the market, consigned by the original owner’s family and never before offered.”
The Honus Wagner card was issued as part of the T206 series (1909-1911), inserted into packs of cigarettes as a promotion. But Wagner – a non-smoker – threatened legal action if production of his own card continued. As a result, only around 200 of his cards ever made their way into the public’s hands. Last year, an example graded SGC8 and once owned by Wayne Gretzky, sold for $2.8 million.
The auction also featured a collection of original-owner T205 and T206 cards from the same era. The star lot was a highly prized Ray Demmitt error card, SGC graded 4; it hammered for $7,625. Another coveted sports collectible to cross the block was a Babe Ruth signed baseball, PSA graded 9 out of 10 and obtained by the chairman of the American Legion league at Shibe Park. It made $67,800.
Philip Weiss Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly, at (516) 594-0731, or you can e-mail them at phil@prwauctions.com. To learn more about the firm and its calendar of upcoming sales, and to view images of some lots to be offered in the December 20-21 auction, log on to www.prwauctions.com
