Posted By:
CoreyRS.hanusThanks Scot.
I've always been intrigued about the following aspect of the Gretzky Wagner. The great majority of people knowledgable about T206s with whom I've discussed the card over the past number of years do not believe that card was ever inserted into a cigarette pack, but was instead cut from a sheet. If that was case (and I agree with that assessment), and IF Piedmont sheets were never manufactured with single-print cards, then there had to be at least one other Wagner on that sheet. So where might it(they) be? To my knowledge there is one other confirmed Piedmont Wagner. It was sold by REA several years ago and was graded authentic. That card, besides being in much poorer condition (for reasons going beyond the hand-cut borders), also had a much cruder cutting than the Gretzky Wagner, suggesting it was not cut from the same sheet as the Gretzky Wagner.
To add to the intrigue, here's another possibility that I can't rule out, though on this one I should disclose that the majority of T206 experts with whom I've discussed this issue do not regard it as a realistic possibility. Didn't Bill Heitman, author of the legendary "T206 Monster" on this board describe in the 1950's professional printers using original printing plates to remake vintage cards (including T206s) but with different backs? IF in fact that happened, then is it not possible that the Gretzky Wagner is a 1950's remake? That would provide an explanation why for its condition and brand the card is unique; single-print cards on remake sheets make a lot of sense. Also on this board there was a detailed thread about ink patterns and the practical impossibility (short of expending staggering sums of money) to in the 1950's create under high magnification the precise dot matrix pattern of a T206 manufactured in 1909. But, and here's my point, just because something might be revealed under high magnification doesn't mean it can be revealed to the unaided eye, even of the most experienced expert, especially if the original plates were used. Ink colors are ink colors. Don't many original Wagners differ from one another in terms of the vibrancy of the hues? Also too isn't there a hand-cut T206 Piedmont Plank extant that is theorized to have been cut from the same sheet as the Wagner? If so, are there other Planks known with the Piedmont back? And here's another thing, when I inquired at the time of the sale I was told the Piedmont Wagner sold by REA had a provenance going back only to the 1950's. Had it gone back earlier, than that would be convincing evidence that Piedmont Wagners predated this 1950's remake event Mr. Heitman describes. Then there is the subtle print line on the Gretzky Wagner. Are other T206s known with such a characteristic? Is it possible it was inserted to make clear the card should not be confused as an original?
In discussing all this, I want to make clear that I am not saying the Gretzky Wagner is a remake. However, I do not believe that possibility has been conclusively ruled out. Bill Heitman is a very respected person in this hobby and I don't believe information he provided should be summarily dismissed. I would love for the new owners to agree to let the card be examined under high magnification, an examination that for all practical purposes could eliminate any notion the card is a remake.