$8-10k to spend on one Honus Wagner card today; which would it be?
 

I was reviewing a thread that I started last year on this question but Wagner’s market seems to have changed significantly since then so I hope this repeat subject thread is ok.

I know there are some Honus Wagner collectors here and others, like me, who wish they were. I would appreciate hearing again from you which of Wagner’s card issues do YOU like best around the $8-10k (or less is ok) price point.

I do enjoy his portrait cards (given the resemblance to “THE” Wagner card) and have also been noticing the great batting image of his postcards as well.

I value input and opinions of the advanced collectors here and would love to see your own fave - either that you have or have on your own card target/bucket list.

Thx for weighing in

Jeff

I’m also a big Wagner fan, have enjoyed your referenced thread and contributing to it; I started a Wagner card POP analysis thread some years ago that’s had some great contributions.

The 1906 Fan Craze portrait is pretty amazing and undervalued IMHO compared to other Wagner portrait cards (especially original facing orientation), and is very scarce like the 1909 T206’s POP, while also having a lower POP than the 1910 Tip Top Bread.

most portrait wagners are over the suggested budget...i might suggest the game card that depicts honus iin his famous portrait pose...I can't remember which game card that is?

OR...I'm partial to the unique pose of the e95.

I am very partial to t he E94 Wags with the green background.

Great choice, unique pose. Green is stunning but all colors look great on this card.

Not entirely sure of current prices but I think 10K might still get you a decent E92/101/102, the batting pose is a great card.

Yes! I like this series a lot too... (and if you would like to sell yours to me, love to hear from you)

Thx Peter - will explore these too... (still confused how these issues are similar but still with different "E" designations - assume they each have same card image on the front but different ads on the back?)

Yes, same image. E106 too although I think those are at higher price point.

My absolute favorite is the m101-2 with Cobb…one of my all time favorite images in the sport - but I know that’s t a traditional card and features Cobb as well. In terms of postcards, I LOVE the PC796 Sepia Wagner. And for traditional cards - the e95 is my favorite. Think all three could be had in your price range.

M101-4/5 Wagner. At this price level it would probably have to be a blank back, but who knows.

E92s have four different backs - dockman (most common), Crofts candy, Crofts cocoa and Nadja. Crofts candy comes in 3 colors- black (most common), blue (pretty rare), and red (super rare). And there are blank backs, but not so sure those are e92.

The front pictures on e92 cards are also the fronts of e101, e102, e105, e106, D303 General Baking and Mothers Bread, and t216, which had Kotton, MINO and Virginia Extra backs, with Kotton having 3 variations.

Like t206, not every front example is known to have every back.

A decent looking lower grade batting or throwing in an e92 dockman, e101 or e102 should be doable at $8k-$10k, but not the others. And, batting tends to be a little cheaper and more common front than the throwing

I second the E95. Here's the 4 I bought in 2021 for below your price range:

I've always been a fan of the 1909 Max Stein PC of Wagner. An SGC 3 sold for $8700 in a 2023 Heritage auction. Second choice would be anything with the T206 portrait image, though it looks like most of those have soared out of range. An E254 would be a good option in that price range.

Heritage Auction has a Wagner on sale that is really unique and at $2900 wth BP with 8 days to go

only one graded by PSA

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c...ription-071515

Thx Jeff... just Hans chillin' out!

If you have 10K burning a hole in your pocket, we can talk about this one!

Great image! I have a couple of these issues round (displayed in their original tins which I love)

I've wondered what the deal is with square versions? Were they sold in a different shaped tin?

The beauty (and the frustration) of this issue is that nobody knows for certain how they came to be. The TPG’s call them proofs and they’re printed on what I call a vellum-like paper.

I have my own opinion of what they were intended to be, but others may disagree.

You can have this one for $4200. The coolest thing about it is that you'll be the only one who has one.

https://goldin.co/item/1910-e93-stan...JkSW5kZXgiOjR9

Not mine

I used to remember how to make those hats, which really are cool, IMO.

I would buy a m101-4 or m101-5 Wagner with that budget.

Wags
 

A postcard option…

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Easily a 10K card and would be my preference at that price point.