Interesting T206 Heinie Wagner with missing team name

[marcdelpercio]

I found this card in an assorted lot that I just picked up. I immediately noticed the lack of team name, but I assumed that it was just paper loss as the card is obviously in terrible condition. Upon closer inspection, however, it appears that the team name is completely missing from the printing as there is virtually no paper loss in the area in which it should appear. I have looked closely with a loupe and there is no trace of it whatsoever. It also appears that this card is missing red ink and possibly other color passes as well. I have seen a couple of T206 examples in which the entire bottom caption is missing, but I don't believe I've ever seen one in which only the name or team was missing such as this. Any other thoughts/opinions on this interesting card?

[Howe’s Hunter]

Color of the font, and the fact that all the letters are the same size leads me to believe that the whole thing is fake. The name should have initial caps (first letter larger than the rest of the cap letters) and color is just a bit too black looking.

Any others with ideas?

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

Color of the font, and the fact that all the letters are the same size leads me to believe that the whole thing is fake. The name should have initial caps (first letter larger than the rest of the cap letters) and color is just a bit too black looking.



Any others with ideas?

I think it's real. The letters appear to be the same size on this card. Here's an example from eBay:

[RCMcKenzie]

Looks to me like an original card with paper loss where the "Boston Amer" would normally be.

[marcdelpercio]

Thanks for the responses and opinions. The card is definitely authentic. It was part of a large lot that was an original collection that I purchased. All cards were low grade, but unquestionably original. There is no paper loss at all on the bottom border where the team name would be. You can tell in the close up photo that the surface layer of paper is intact in that spot.

[Luke]

To me it looks like it was just erased off or buffed off or something. If you look at the larger scan, the area right below the border looks a bit brighter than the paper below, leading me to believe that some alteration was made to the area below.

[VintageJay]

I collect anything and everything Heinie Wagner and I have never come across a T206 of his that looks like this.

Great find!

Want to sell it? HAHA!

Best,
Jay

[iwantitiwinit]

Originally Posted by LukeLyon

To me it looks like it was just erased off or buffed off or something. If you look at the larger scan, the area right below the border looks a bit brighter than the paper below, leading me to believe that some alteration was made to the area below.

I agree, also note how the "R" is also lighter as it appears to have been impacted somewhat by the erasure. Since the ink is the same color in the last name as the team name I doubt it could simply be left off, the plate with the lettering would have to be damaged in the exact right spot and to the exact right degree. In my mind it's very doubtful that it's a printing error.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by LukeLyon

To me it looks like it was just erased off or buffed off or something. If you look at the larger scan, the area right below the border looks a bit brighter than the paper below, leading me to believe that some alteration was made to the area below.

^this is the correct answer^

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

Color of the font, and the fact that all the letters are the same size leads me to believe that the whole thing is fake. The name should have initial caps (first letter larger than the rest of the cap letters) and color is just a bit too black looking.

Any others with ideas?

Why would someone fake a Heinie Wagner lol. And let alone fake one to the point where it would be a $20 card ..... maybe

[TistaT202]

probably a NY American fan who tried to get rid of all traces of Boston from the card.

[Republicaninmass]

Very common to change team names

[Bpm0014]

Simply erased. Look at the black border directly above the name. It shows signs of erasure as well. If it was simply missing the team name BOSTON, the border would still be black and consistent....

[edjs]

It's also missing all the red on it, though.....it is in a tad rough shape.

[marcdelpercio]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I did notice the lighter border line in that area and thought that may signify some kind of erasure of the name. I'm not sure how this would be accomplished though in a way that would not remove the surface layer of paper and would leave no trace at all of the original ink. I know that Yankees fans will go to some pretty extreme measures sometimes though

[Jobu]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is not an error. The name is missing b/c the thin white surface layer is gone, could be erased or could have come off on the way to arriving in its current state. If you look closely you can see above the Wagner is it white, then a little less white around the Wagner where the name looks a little thin, and then fairly tan to the right of Wagner where the white surface, and everything on it, is gone. I also don't think it is missing red, it looks more like a condition-related fading problem to me (but I am a tough graded there as I never believe any missing ink card in rough shape, with paper loss or glue residue on the back, or that has any overall fading on the front.)

[Butch7999]

Maybe it's just our monitor's brightness setting, or maybe it's just our cataracts fooling us, but we swear we can see
the faintest, barely perceptible trace of the BO in Boston right where it should be, as much lighter than the comma
as the comma is compared to the R in Wagner.
Regardless if we're delusional about that, we agree it's all the fault of an erasure.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Butch7999

Maybe it's just our monitor's brightness setting, or maybe it's just our cataracts fooling us, but we swear we can see

the faintest, barely perceptible trace of the BO in Boston right where it should be, as much lighter than the comma

as the comma is compared to the R in Wagner.

Regardless if we're delusional about that, we agree it's all the fault of an erasure.

Brucii, is that you (all)?

[VintageJay]

Originally Posted by Joshchisox08

Why would someone fake a Heinie Wagner lol. And let alone fake one to the point where it would be a $20 card ..... maybe

Good ol' Heinie won four World Series - three more than the other Wagner and Ty Cobb combined. So maybe...