I have much to say about my journey with the M101-2s .... as someone who comes from the 1989 bowman generation, I used to loathe anything larger than 2.5x3.5" ...
then I learned of the M101-2s. Gahh, it was love at first sight, especially when a near set landed at an auction house. I watched like a hawk, and felt pretty good about my chances on landing it within a reasonable price so I could then break apart and sell the pieces I didn't want. (The Joe Jackson and Wagner/Cobb were my two favorites).
Then it kept going up & up & up.
I ended up not being the winner, and was about as heartbroken as you can be over losing an auction. Then, they started popping up on ebay - the buyer was breaking them up too! I snagged the 2 I wanted, along with the WaJo.
On the Jackson & Wagner/Cobb, they are graded as "authentic" and didn't get a numerical grading, because the auction house (REA I think?) was told they'd get a low number, and don't have any reason to believe they were altered.
Oh, and the Wagner/Cobb was the first one graded, and I believe the Jackson was second or third.
My gosh ... they are beautiful.
This one is altered, as it had sporting news cut out and placed in the top center ... I didn't even notice it until a while after I had it. To the 10 year old back in 1911 who probably did it - well done.
So naturally, after my eyes were opened to how amazing oversized pieces can be for display, I heard of a Nap Lajoie rookie from something called an M101-1 ... like I'll ever see one of those, heh.
Then someone posted a Wagner. Jaw. Dropped. A 19th century Wagner rookie? What on earth? I had no idea it existed. I was able to make a deal on one years ago, and it is one of my most prized pieces in my very small collection.
So yeah, PSA - get on the M101-1 ball!
