I sold a T-206 Wagner ....25 years ago!

[Cardboard Junkie]

In the early 80s I traded a huge collection of football cards, ( complete sets of bowman and topps and misc others) including many unopened packs, for a beat up T-206 Wagner. One corner torn off and one corner burnt off and back damage and multiple creases but his name, team, and face were very clear.
In 87? I allowed De Mouchelle galleries in Detroit to auction it off..... the winning bid.....14K. Unless it has been repaired I never saw it or a picture of it again. The gallery told me it was purchased by a "gentleman in England". After the auction the gallery paid me CASH!! I tipped the 2 armed security guards fifty bucks each to escort me to my car. Up to that time I never ever had 14 thousand cash on my person and.....it Was Detroit.
As I recall that particular auction had another T206 Wagner I think it was the Ed Budnick Wagner.....Imagine that.....two Wagners in the same auction!!!!!!!!!!
For the youngsters here Mr.Ed Budnick was a pioneer in sports memorabilia and was good friends with Frank Nagy. I don't recall what his Wagner sold for, I remember talking to Mr. Nagy about it and he mentioned that if he didn't already have a Wagner he would bid.

[atx840]

Great story! Unfortunately none of these have burn marks.

http://www.centuryoldcards.com/1909t206wagners.html

[benjulmag]

That DuMouchelle auction had one Wagner that was sold. There was another that was pulled because it was a fake. Among its suspicious characteristics-it was a thoroughly beat up card yet with corners so sharp you could practically cut your fingers on them. I also recall that a portion of the interior of the card was exposed, and it was the wrong color. At the viewing, attended by a number of well-known dealers/hobbyists, there was amazement that a replacement was substituted so quickly.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Yes, you have described the other Wagner that was in the auction with mine. I was told that it was "pulled and wasn't available now" I remember having the catalog and the other wagner was on the cover. Mine entered the auction too late to be pictured. The gallery was very grateful to have mine to sell seeing that they had lost thier big draw. I think they only had mine for a week or two before the auction.
Dave

[joeadcock]

David

Do you have a photo of your card before you gave it to the auction house? Would be interested in seeing it.

[ruth-gehrig]

yes would love to see it or a copy of the original auction catalog

[atx840]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Here's the Wagner that was being offered as genuine....what can I say? It's a beaut!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...BIG-BUCKS.html

[Piratedogcardshows]

All that wear but the corners are sharp enough to shave with.Amazing!

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by atx840

I'll second that

[Leon]

Just curious, David P, why would you consign a Wagner to De Mouchelle galleries which was not known for any kind of baseball items? My understanding is that the people in audience were experts and no one was fooled by either Wagner. Also, the auction house paid in cash? That seems a little curious too?

[Cardboard Junkie]

Aloha to all! This thread is the first time I have ever heard that the card consigned to D. Gallery might not have been authentic. I was not present at the auction and I don't ever remember any controversy over authenticity.
One of the younger members of the auction house family had gone to high school with a fellow I worked with and we saw a newspaper article about the upcomming auction of Ed Budnicks collection (mostly books and programs and only a few cards). I always thought that Ed owned the other wagner..the one on the cover of the catalog, but I am not sure of that. I never saw it in person.
Unless memory fails me Ed had owned a dry cleaning business that my cousin worked for and my dad kept the books for. This was a time before the internet and before wide use of mobile phones and before third party grading. I had never consigned anything to an auction house before. D galleries is a high class operation with a long history of excellence so being in Detroit they seemed like a logical choice (though I really didn't consider any other).
Some time after the auction D. called and said it was sold for 14 thousand.
I went down to the gallery. Young Mr. D. and I went to the bank next door to the gallery (with security) and I walk out with the cash. I was told the card was sold to an english card collector. Mahalo for your interest.

I wonder where that card is now? Dave P.

[benjulmag]

So to be certain I understand what you are saying, you consigned it to DuMouchelles because you worked with a fellow who knew a fellow who was a member of the family that owned the auction house? And you were paid for your consignment in cash?