Could this Honus Wagner be real?

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Posted By: Duane

My father inherited old scrap books from his grandfather about 30 years ago. He found a Joe Dimagio play ball card in poor condition because of glue damage. He also found a bunch more cards ranging from the early nineteen hundreds to the 40's. He has also recovered preprobition cincinnati rare beer labels dating in the early 1900's. A couple of days ago he came across a honus wagner card behind an envelope which contain some old stamps in one of the scrap books. It appears to be a 1909 T-206 I believe. It is in pretty good condition except for a wrinkle right of center. It looks genuine in my opinion. The only thing I am having trouble with is that it has a white blank backing. His grandfather died in the mid-seventies so it could be a replica, but there is a good chance it is real.
I researched a little bit about blank backs and it seems that proofs were made before the final print with no back. The ink looks very old and has no gloss whatsoever. From what I have been told his grandfather only saved cards from his earlier years and I tried to research honus wagner reprints from the pre 70's and 70's, but I can't find any. Could it be real?

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Posted By: dan mckee

scans would answer these questions very quickly.

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Posted By: Duane

What do you mean by scan?

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Posted By: tbob

Dan means if you could post a scan (computer picture) of the front and back of the card here so it can be seen, the answer could be forthcoming. I am not aware of any reprints or reproductions which have blank backs however a backing could have been peeled or skinned off. A scan would show the presence of proof marks on the cards which all T206 proofs have. If it doesn't have it, it could be cut from an advertising poster although again I have never heard of a Wagner on any advertising poster.

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Posted By: Duane

I really appreciate your help. My family and I are holding are breath because the chances are really good considering the vast collection of rare things we have come accross in his old collection.

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Posted By: Duane

my dad says that there is proof marking on the back what does that mean.

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Posted By: dan mckee

We can't help you if you do not show us pictures of the card. Your situation, story sounds great but is a very common story amongst ebay auctions. Please post pictures, thanks.

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Posted By: Duane

I talked to my father on my cell. He lives in cincinnati and I reside in Columbus. When he gets home he is going to take a digital picture of the front and back and send it to me. If you all could check up on this post tomorrow I would really appreciate it. I am a little nervy and I just want to figure out if its real or not so I can get a decent nights sleep.

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Posted By: jackgoodman

from the 19th century did the collection include? I'm certain others here would also like to know. Thanks.

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Posted By: Duane

I will take some pictures of his collection next week when I am back in cincy for you all. My grandfather liked to glue his cards to his scrap books so some are damaged pretty bad, but I think they are pretty neat.

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Posted By: steve k

Wow - Sounds interesting. Can't wait! Seems like you might become a millionaire overnight. Congratulations! I was just getting ready to bid on a t206 Honus Wagner on Ebay that someone amazingly found in an attic when moving into an old house, but I'm going to wait for your scan and bid on it if offered on ebay. This is quite exciting!!!

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Posted By: Hal Lewis

The scrapbooks were inherited 35 years ago...

and it took your family THIS LONG to find the Honus Wagner card...

yet you found beer bottle labels immediately?

Does one of the stamps in the envelope with the Wagner card have an upside down airplane on it?

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Posted By: Duane

my dad collects beer labels and glasses from preprobition and not stamps. The card was inbetween a envelope full of stamps that he didn't care about until he started to sell a lot of things on ebay. He discovered it while pulling out the envelope.

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Posted By: Duane

I don't care about stamps I am just relaying information from my father in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Posted By: Josh K.

Pre-proHIbition. Cant wait to see the pics.

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Hal, that was funny.

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Posted By: Duane

It was the first time I ever tried to spell it and I figured you all would get the point anyway as you did because you corrected me.