SI article: All-Star Cafe Wagner Theft

[samosa4u]

I had a good laugh reading this article. You could make a good film outta' this!

Rosen would have known that a T206 Honus Wagner had sold for $222,500 just a few months earlier, at a Christie’s auction in Manhattan. That he was offering just $18,000—far below market value, even given that Sheen’s T206 wasn’t in mint -condition—suggests Rosen wasn’t buying Ramos’s story. (Rosen died of leukemia in 2017.) But Ramos accepted, and the conspirators divvied up the cash. According to court documents, Ramos kept $2,000; Gartland and Corden each took $8,000.

This paragraph stood out the most. What grade was the Wagner that was sold by Christie's? Was it also in PR condition or was it in higher grade? Anyone have pictures of it?

[Sean]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

I had a good laugh reading this article. You could make a good film outta' this!

Rosen would have known that a T206 Honus Wagner had sold for $222,500 just a few months earlier, at a Christie’s auction in Manhattan. That he was offering just $18,000—far below market value, even given that Sheen’s T206 wasn’t in mint -condition—suggests Rosen wasn’t buying Ramos’s story. (Rosen died of leukemia in 2017.) But Ramos accepted, and the conspirators divvied up the cash. According to court documents, Ramos kept $2,000; Gartland and Corden each took $8,000.

This paragraph stood out the most. What grade was the Wagner that was sold by Christie's? Was it also in PR condition or was it in higher grade? Anyone have pictures of it?

It was ungraded, looks to me to be about a 2.5. It's Wagner #24 on the T206resource website.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by Sean

It was ungraded, looks to me to be about a 2.5. It's Wagner #24 on the T206resource website.

I see it; it definitely looks much nicer than the example Sheen used to own. But still, I can't understand why Rosen offered only $18,000 USD for it. I mean, if you buy a stolen Hank Aaron rookie, then yes, you can move it without drawing any attention. Now you can't do that with a T206 Wagner and I'm pretty sure Rosen knew that.