T206 Johnson Portrait pricing, the new Green Cobb?

[iwantitiwinit]

I've been following the pricing of the Johnson portraits fairly closely over the past year+ and last nights PWCC results are pretty amazing. A Johnson Sovereign Portrait in PSA 6 sold for $11227.00.

To my knowledge there are 2 of these cards graded PSA 6 and both sold almost a year ago, one on ebay for approximately $4600 (I was the underbidder) and the other I believe thru Heritage for around $5500. Coincidently, the other PSA 6 is currently up for sale thru Heritage and is up to $9,000 with bp.

This price increase seems very similar to the move we saw in Green Cobbs 2-3 years ago and as we know that pricing increase has continued, will the Johnsons continue to increase faster than other higher end T206 star cards? Is the Mathewson the next portrait to take that price jump? Heck a Johnson psa 2.5 went for over $1600 last night in the same PWCC auction.

[iowadoc77]

It is crazy the rate of increase of some of these cards. Unsustainable I would think but who knows? People aren’t afraid to throw around a lot of cash for cards over the past year or two especially.

[Rhotchkiss]

Despite the fact that it is in a different PSA holder with a different cert#, I think the one that sold last night is the same exact card that sold in REA last year for $7,800.

Regardless, the prices that Wajo portraits are getting recently are silly/stupid. Until 11pm last night, I was the high bidder on the Heritage Wajo, and I was afraid I was overpaying, but immediately after the PWCC auction ended, I got a text that I was outbid. I will not bid again. In my opinion, people are WAY overpaying for this card.

[CW]

FWIW, the 2.5 that ended for $1600 was really clean for the grade, nice registration, and had no creases or wrinkles. Could've been a "3.5" on another day.

The card is as popular as ever, though.

[rats60]

He is the #3 player from his era and the greatest right handed pitcher of all time. As Wagner and Cobb cards continue to rise, I see WaJo following. Collectors are concentrating on cards of the top names. I see this trend continuing.

[KMayUSA6060]

Chain effect. As previously mentioned, Johnson is widely regarded as a top 3 player of his era, right behind Cobb & Wagner. Cobb has spiked, Wagner is hot, Johnson is next. Watch for Young to follow suit, as not much has separated Young & Johnson in terms of market prices, and he holds strong name recognition and 2 unbreakable records.

[Touch'EmAll]

Ted Williams & Joe Dimaggio seem to be getting really hot. PWCC had a '39 Dimaggio PSA 5 go for $1,333. A 1941 Williams PSA 6 with centering 75/25 ss at best, PSA 6 go for $1,800. And a 1948 Teddy PSA 5, really nice centering top out at $1,851. I thought I put in a couple solid bids but got blown out of the water, whew!

[mechanicalman]

I was surprised at that price as well, but I can understand the underlying trends supporting the increase. Beyond his status as a player, I also think that the card is aesthetically off the charts. I know a few here have cited it as their favorite in the set.

[Dpoolem3]

You could buy a Johnson portrait 1 six months ago for $300

Impossible to find them that inexpensive now

[bounce]

Sovereign backs have been hot for over a year. especially those in PSA 4 and up. I definitely think that played a big role in this one.

I personally think the bidding was waaaay overdone on this specific card, but it is a pretty low pop.

As someone who isn't that much of a back freak, I'd rather have a common back PSA 6 for just over half the price of this one and spend the rest on something else.