Is this the Wagner Rookie?

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Posted By: Phil Garry

Jay:

That is an awesome Wagner piece, I wish I owned it!!!

The M101-1's were issued during 1899-1900 using portraits which were produced in 1898-1899 by the National Copper Plate Co. out of Michigan for their own baseball player release in the form of 50 portfolio portraits. The NCP's were also premium sized items measuring approximately 10" X 13" as compared to the 8 3/4" X 11" M101-1's size. Since both issues would be considered premiums, the NCP would have to be considered the earlier "Rookie" piece and the M101-1 would be the second ever item picturing Wagner individually in a Major League uniform. Of course, that assumes that the unique Henry Reccius card was not issued during 1897-99 as originally believed.

By the way, I do own an M101-1 Wagner that is even scarcer than yours, it is a 1/1 Die-Cut version which has been encapsulated by Beckett. Here it is........