Dating of The Reccius Cigar Card of Honus Wagner

[Rhotchkiss]

Of the 3 current threads on the main board, I used this thread because it discusses the date of the Reccius Wagner.

There are two key bits of information on the card:
The Address: 2608 Elliott Avenue
The Phone Number: 6807

Rob's initial post in this thread argues that the card could not be issued before 1903 because Louisville Directories do not show Henry Reccius being at 2608 Elliot Avenue until 1904. Rob's argument, which is based on the address is compelling.

However, to me, the phone number is just as important. The question is whether Louisville had 4-digit phone numbers before 1900 and/or when did 4-digit phone numbers starting with "6" begin in Lousiville?

I own a Louisville Directory from 1899 that I acquired on ebay. I looked through the entire thing. There are 4-digit phone numbers, but none that start with a number other than "1" and "2". Thus, based on this information, and coupled with the fact that Henry Reccius is at 2216 Eddy in the pre-1900 directories, I believe that the Reccius Wagner cannot be pre-1900. So when was it issued?

I called that Louisville archives and I spoke to a man for about an hour. He flipped through Louisville directories from 1900-1904 looking for a 4-digit phone number starting with a "6" or higher. He did not find any. In fact, if I recall accurately, "4" was the highest 4-digit number located. This fact, taken with the address information Rob provides (which I confirmed with the archives), makes me believe that the card could not have been issued before 1904.

But here is what bothers me: Why would Reccius issue a cigar of Wagner, in Louisville garb, years after Wagner left Louisville? Aside from the few years spent on the Louisville team in 1897-99, he had no ties to the city. Yes, Louisville players were sold to Pittsburgh in 1899, so maybe all the Louisville fans became Pittsburgh fans, but do you use a Pittsburgh player, in Louisville, years after the transaction to sell your wares? Plus, I doubt Louisville people really cared much for Pittsburgh or their players - did Browns fans become Ravens fans or Baltimore Colts fans become Indianapolis Colts fans? It seems odd to me that Reccius would use Wagner non-contemporaneously with his playing days in Lousville.

There are many other reasons, including the dating of the use of trade cards, the card stock, the poem on the back, the cost of the cigars, and of course PSA says its from 1897-99 (but we know PSA doesnt know squat), etc. that indicate the card could be issued before 1900.

Ultimately, I have serious doubts that the card is from before 1900, and I a believe it was issued no earlier than 1904 (and likely later). It is because of this doubt that I did not strongly pursue the card -- its an awfully expensive item to take a risk on. My last bid was somewhere around $300k.

Regarding the Goldin description -- I think they did a very good job walking the line between promoting their consignor's item and disclosing the issues and arguments. The bottom line is that PSA says its from 1897-1899. They could have said that and nothing more. But how many people really know the history of Wagner and the card. Plus a card of this magnitude needs a description.

My gut is that many felt like I did and held back because of the dating uncertainty. If the date could be proven inconclusively, someone would have done it by now. And if it could be proven that the card is from before 1900, and thus his actual rookie, I suspect it would be worth $3mm+++. The fact that it didnt go over $1mm, let alone hit its reserve, indicates that the market has its concerns and priced the item accordingly.

[oldjudge]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Of the 3 current threads on the main board, I used this thread because it discusses the date of the Reccius Wagner.

There are two key bits of information on the card:
The Address: 2608 Elliott Avenue
The Phone Number: 6807

Rob's initial post in this thread argues that the card could not be issued before 1903 because Louisville Directories do not show Henry Reccius being at 2608 Elliot Avenue until 1904. Rob's argument, which is based on the address is compelling.

However, to me, the phone number is just as important. The question is whether Louisville had 4-digit phone numbers before 1900 and/or when did 4-digit phone numbers starting with "6" begin in Lousiville?

I own a Louisville Directory from 1899 that I acquired on ebay. I looked through the entire thing. There are 4-digit phone numbers, but none that start with a number other than "1" and "2". Thus, based on this information, and coupled with the fact that Henry Reccius is at 2216 Eddy in the pre-1900 directories, I believe that the Reccius Wagner cannot be pre-1900. So when was it issued?

I called that Louisville archives and I spoke to a man for about an hour. He flipped through Louisville directories from 1900-1904 looking for a 4-digit phone number starting with a "6" or higher. He did not find any. In fact, if I recall accurately, "4" was the highest 4-digit number located. This fact, taken with the address information Rob provides (which I confirmed with the archives), makes me believe that the card could not have been issued before 1904.

But here is what bothers me: Why would Reccius issue a cigar of Wagner, in Louisville garb, years after Wagner left Louisville? Aside from the few years spent on the Louisville team in 1897-99, he had no ties to the city. Yes, Louisville players were sold to Pittsburgh in 1899, so maybe all the Louisville fans became Pittsburgh fans, but do you use a Pittsburgh player, in Louisville, years after the transaction to sell your wares? Plus, I doubt Louisville people really cared much for Pittsburgh or their players - did Browns fans become Ravens fans or Baltimore Colts fans become Indianapolis Colts fans? It seems odd to me that Reccius would use Wagner non-contemporaneously with his playing days in Lousville.

There are many other reasons, including the dating of the use of trade cards, the card stock, the poem on the back, the cost of the cigars, and of course PSA says its from 1897-99 (but we know PSA doesnt know squat), etc. that indicate the card could be issued before 1900.

Ultimately, I have serious doubts that the card is from before 1900, and I a believe it was issued no earlier than 1904 (and likely later). It is because of this doubt that I did not strongly pursue the card -- its an awfully expensive item to take a risk on. My last bid was somewhere around $300k.

Regarding the Goldin description -- I think they did a very good job walking the line between promoting their consignor's item and disclosing the issues and arguments. The bottom line is that PSA says its from 1897-1899. They could have said that and nothing more. But how many people really know the history of Wagner and the card. Plus a card of this magnitude needs a description.

My gut is that many felt like I did and held back because of the dating uncertainty. If the date could be proven inconclusively, someone would have done it by now. And if it could be proven that the card is from before 1900, and thus his actual rookie, I suspect it would be worth $3mm+++. The fact that it didnt go over $1mm, let alone hit its reserve, indicates that the market has its concerns and priced the item accordingly.

Ryan--great research! My thought is that it is possible that this was some sort of commemorative card. No doubt that Wagner was a popular player when he played for Louisville. In 1909 Pittsburgh won their first World Series with Wagner leading the way. That would seem like a perfect time to issue a card advertising your product with a reminder of where the current World Series hero started. I personally believe that the most likely date for the card is thus 1909.

[CW]

Not sure if this is a preview that Goldin will attempt to auction off the card again, but when I googled "reccius Goldin", this link showed up:

https://goldin.co/item/1897-99-henry...JkSW5kZXgiOjB9

I also thought maybe it was a good idea to copy/paste the Goldin description here for posterity since it is being referred to in the discussion of the card. If this clogs up the thread, I can just delete it, but thought others that don't visit Goldin may want to see it.


HISTORY

Other "rogue" cardboard issues and trading cards have certainly elevated themselves to a prestigious hobby level including the time-defying 1869 Peck & Synder Cincinnati Red Stockings trade-card and the incomparable 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth baseball schedule. While not your conventional or mainstream cardboard issues, they are highly recognized as two of the hobby's foremost collectibles. Such is the case for this ever-elusive Wagner, boasting unparalleled rarity versus any of its inferior peers. Its inaugural appearance to the collecting community was in 1997, when it was unearthed from a by-gone scrapbook of deceased Louisville resident Jesse Hathorn. Since its first arrival, there have been a myriad of conflicting accounts as to its "true" original issue date (19th century or early to mid-1900's?), with the exact distribution date an on-going conundrum. Throughout his illustrious business career, Henry Reccius ran his cigar operation from numerous locations including his Elliot Avenue home address (listed on the card) as well as a 2803 West Broadway based facility in the early 20th century. The card also reveals a four-digit phone code along the right edge, with Louisville's pre-1900 directory already including four-digit telephone numbers (this information is also documented on PSA's website). The emergence of a 1919 cigar box including the exact same Wagner Louisville image certainly added to collector's concerns regarding a possible post-1910 issue date, but this uncertainty was quickly debunked and put to rest. The National Cigar Museum confirmed that the cigar box in question was a completely distinct brand sold by Henry Reccius years earlier. PSA’s website definitively states: "the federally assigned factory number for Henry Reccius was Fact. 45, 5th Dist. KY. By 1893, they were already assigning factory numbers in the 600's in the 5th tax district in Kentucky, so Reccius was indeed assigned a very early number." While the exact issue date for this unfathomable Louisville Wagner is shrouded in mystery, what we know for certain is the following:

It would make complete sense for Reccius to have issued this trading card revealing Hans Wagner in a Colonels uniform during his popular Louisville playing days for maximum promotional purposes. Wagner was the "talk of the town" during his 1897-1899 Louisville tenure, and his emergence on such a trading card might not benefit Reccius's cigar-making industry after his departure to the "Steel City" (out of sight – out of mind). That said, the suggested 1897-1899 issue date places this world-class heirloom as the true Honus Wagner rookie card, pre-dating the 1902 W600 Sporting Life Type cabinet by at least three years.

According to the National Library of Scotland, the most likely publication period for Joseph Bert Smiley’s "St. Peter at the Gate" ballad affixed to the verso is 1880-1900. This ballad will be further discussed later in the description.

The medium card stock is consistent with other 1890-1899 cardboard issues, one of which is the 1897 Page Fence Giants trade card exhibiting a similar size and appearance.

Non-sequential four-digit phone codes were utilized in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1897-1899 period (confirmed on PSA's website as well as existing city registries), and while we were unable to confirm a 6807 number for the Henry Reccius cigar business, the possibility certain exists for that code to have been used during that era.

Regardless of the exact issue date, this offering unquestionably stands as the SOLE Hans Wagner baseball card portraying baseball’s greatest all-time shortstop in a Louisville Colonels uniform, with only two other known examples extant. This alone, merits an unequivocal "mystique" similar to his T206 subject.

The use of Wagner’s hallowed "Hans" name suggests a late 19th century to early 20th century distribution since the use of "Hans" was more common during this time frame.

The Reccius trade card is a true Wagner tobacco card, issued over a decade before his T206 subject that was ultimately "pulled" from the ATC production in early 1909.

Additional research indicates that the 2606 Elliot Ave. Reccius address was changed to 2608 in 1909. While this does not assist us in pinpointing an exact release date, it eliminates even the remote possibility of the card being distributed after 1909. As PSA and other renowned hobbyists attest to, we strongly believe this card to have been issued between the years of 1897 – 1900 that would place it as the undisputed Honus Wagner rookie card. Its sheer existence is miraculous to say the least, with other critical aspects being the "POP 3" rarity and the Reccius Wagner undoubtedly residing as the 1936 HOF Charter Member's only card revealing him clad in a Louisville Colonel uniform. Collectors should not be deceived by seemingly low-end prior sales, with the other PSA PR 1 realizing $52K some 18 years ago in a 2006 public auction (an "Authentic" sold for $21K in 2012, the exact same card offered here that PSA appropriately reassessed to a PSA PR 1). Keep in mind that PSA 1 T206 Wagners during this same period were fetching in the $100K range (two PSA 1's sold for $101 and $132K in 2005 – there were no PSA 1 sales in 2006). These low-grade T206 Wagner cards now command $3 - $4 million pricing points, with the approximate 30x pricing multiplier resulting in a $1.5 million+ Reccius Wagner value if equally applied.

Just gazing at this ultra rare Wagner memento can literally make one "skip a beat," with the highlight being the virtually sanctified portrait image revealing the immortal Hans in his Louisville Colonels flannels. As previously stated, the Reccius subject is the only baseball card revealing this by-gone superstar in a Louisville Colonels uniform, with this momentous pose unique to the three known examples. The accurate assessment is due to general surface wear, a horizontal fold/crease running directly across the card beneath Wagner's chin, some stray wrinkles including a vertical crease extending from the top edge through Wagner's right shoulder, and even corner wear. Gazing at this late 19th century artifact can literally send shivers through anyone's spine, with Wagner's stoic facial expression, period-style striped cap and dapper tie effectively transcending time to an era when the legendary Hans was establishing himself as baseball's finest player. The renowned Wagner could do it all, and his formidable Colonels 1899 teammate Tommy Leach once defined his diamond prowess to Lawrence Ritter for The Glory of Their Times as follows:

"I hardly had time to get settled before it hits me that this guy the Louisville club had at third base was practically doing the impossible. I'm sitting on the bench the first day I reported, and along about the third inning an opposing batter smacks a line drive down the third-base line that looked like at least a sure double. Well, this big Louisville third baseman jumped over after it like he was on steel springs, slapped it down with his bare hand, scrambled after it at least ten feet, and fired a bullet over to first base. The runner was out by two or three steps. I'm sitting on the bench and my eyes are popping out. So, I poked the guy sitting next to me, and asked him who the devil that big fellow was on third base. "Why, that's Wagner," he says. "He's the best third baseman in the league. And it also turned out that while Honus was the best third baseman in the league, he was also the best first baseman, the best second baseman, the best shortstop, and the best outfielder. That was in fielding. And since he led the league in batting eight times between 1900 and 1911, you know that he was the best hitter, too. As well as the best base runner."

The obverse side exhibits critical text including an extremely bold “HENRY RECCIUS” caption beneath the electrifying oval pose. Additional verbiage includes "Manufacturer of Hans Wagner 10 cents Cigar – Koda – Bowler – Our Favorite Farmers' and Gardeners' Favorite 5 cents Cigars." Along the left edge is the Henry Reccius "2606 ELLIOT AVENUE, LOUISVILLE, KY." home address that this distinguished cigar manufacturer utilized for his successful business, with the "6807 HOME TELEPHONE" likewise portrayed in vertical fashion near the right edge. The notion that Henry Reccius maintained religious beliefs is substantiated by the eclectic verso that includes a resounding poem, a parody of Joseph Bert Smiley's "St. Peter at the Gate." Cleverly used, it promotes union labor and rails versus anti-strikers, and you can enhance the flipside scan on the Goldin website to easily read this charming ballad.

CLOSING COMMENTS

This extraordinary offering truly represents one of the hobby's most captivating baseball cards, the assumed rookie issue of our National Pastime's greatest shortstop who claimed an N.L. record eight batting titles. One of only three known subjects, it bursts with historical significance at a level only achieved by Wagner's other iconic card, his 1909 T206 tobacco marvel. If the T206 Wagner is the hobby’s "Holy Grail," then this considerably scarcer offering must be dubbed his neighboring "Mona Lisa." Indeed, the meager three documented specimens is a mere fraction of the 60+ known T206 Wagners, with one of those three Henry Reccius subjects forever enshrined in Cooperstown, N.Y. If you are fortunate enough to own a T206 Wagner, no card could possibly represent a finer "bookend" than the Reccius Wagner due to its alleged rookie stature, extreme rarity, and classic Louisville Colonels image elusive to any other known baseball card. While there is some uncertainty as to its definitive issue date, the PSA industry leader has utilized available information to place it within the 1897 – 1899 timeframe. At some point in time, the hallowed T206 Wagner achieved its unequivocal immortality not just because of its scarcity, but more significantly, due to the fascinating history behind it ultimately being pulled from the ATC's production. The same can be said for the likewise iconic 1952 Topps Mantle that also achieved pinnacle hobby stature via Sy Berger's decision to dump "truckloads" of excess 1952 Topps high-number vending cases into the Atlantic's murky waters off the coast of New Jersey. Indeed, both the T206 Wagner and 1952 Topps Mantle stand at the top of the popularity chart due to their magical history. This Reccius Wagner just might be the next hobby "Holy Grail" via its majestic Wagner Louisville Colonels image unique for any baseball card as well as the PSA-supported late-1890's Wagner rookie issue date leading the charge. The final exclamation point is its incredible "POP 3" count, placing it as a much scarcer subject than even the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth for which there are 10 known copies, one of which selling for a staggering $7.2 million less than a year ago. These concepts substantiate the notion that the Reccius Wagner might eventually foster an indelible "mystique" tantamount to its T206 Honus tobacco peer. On the threshold of rightfully becoming the hobby's next colossal sports card, we will let the sophisticated enthusiast ultimately determine its true worth, considering its assumed seven-figure value is justified by the T206 Wagner's price tags soaring at a 30x rate since the PSA 1 Reccius Wagner $52K sale in 2006!

[oldjudge]

Ryan--I'm interested in what your thinking was that led you to even a $300k bid for the card. Why would a post-1900 card be worth anywhere near that amount. My thinking was say in 1930 a Baltimore company, seeking to capitalize on Babe Ruth's popularity, issued a trade card with an old image of him on Baltimore. My guess is that such a card would not be worth a lot, ballpark high four figure low five figure number. If that valuation is correct then why should the Wagner be valued any differently?

[Rhotchkiss]

Jay, I don’t Know exactly what my bid was, it was whatever was the next increment and I think it started at like $250k. I knew I wouldn’t win it at that price and wanted to put in placeholder just in case I decided to go after the card (like I do with tons of items each auction).

I think the card is very special and I would love to own it/one. But it quickly went well beyond what I was willing to pay

[Peter_Spaeth]

It's very hard to follow all the address changes, but is there anything actually showing Reccius on Elliott Ave. in the late 1890s?

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's very hard to follow all the address changes, but is there anything actually showing Reccius on Elliott Ave. in the late 1890s?

It seems two or three of his addresses were at or very near the ballpark where Louisville played its professional games. Also, it seems Henry Reccius was not simply an obscure cigar maker with few ties to baseball. Although it won’t solve the mystery of when this Wagner trade card was issued (I believe like most here that it was not at any time in the 19th Century) here are some random facts I found in old newspaper accounts in case someone wants to build on them with further investigation:
1. Henry was the groundskeeper at Eclipse Park in Louisville from 1876 through at least 1888, and was both elected and re-elected manager of the ballpark. The ballpark was located at 28th and Elliott, and Henry’s address in 1891 was “Elliott near intersection with 27th Street”. Also, he moved back to that same address or neighborhood in 1901– the 2608 Elliott address found on the trade card.
2. The Eclipse ballpark burned September 27, 1892. This may explain why Henry relocated that year. It also could have damaged his cigar-making business, since his listed address for 1892-1893 and 1895 has him working for someone else-- R.N. Newell and Bickel.
3. R.N. Newell appears in the Louisville papers somewhat often up to 1889, but not thereafter. Other than some barebones ads, the news focused on how the company was being sued, its assets attached, and finally sold at auction in 1889, so it is unclear what remained or was reorganized for Henry to list that company as associated with him in 1892-1893 .
4. CC Bickel was a widely known cigar manufacturer, with its most popular brand “Daniel Boone”. In 1893 it filed trademark infringement litigation over use of the "brand, head, face and features of Daniel Boone” by Joseph Steinberg on his cigar boxes. This would have alerted Henry to be careful in using Honus Wagner’s likeness on his own products, if he was not already aware.
5. A new Eclipse ballpark was built in 1893 at the SW corner of 28th and Broadway. Henry’s address is 2803 West Broadway for 1901-1903, again near or at the ballpark location. However, that ballpark was also destroyed by fire in August, 1899, i.e. before it was his listed address, and rebuilt at a different address by 1902.

As already noted, the Reccius family was big in Louisville baseball. Henry’s brothers John William (likely called Bill since the baby of the family also went by Johnnie) and Phil both played for the N.L. Louisville Colonels– their numbers can be found in Baseball Reference, and John William managed the Eclipse team when it had Tony Mullane and Pete Browning. Brother Frank Reccius played minor league ball for Milwaukee and was a minor league manager. After leaving the big leagues, brother John William managed a semi-pro team in town called the Reccius team, and they played at Reccius park on 28th and Garland. He owned a sporting goods store in town, and other Reccius family members played minor league or semi-pro ball.
A news story from 1902 says that Phil Reccius had “for about five years” been a cigar salesman for his brother Henry, meaning that Henry Reccius cigars were available at least as far back in 1897, for what that’s worth. Sadly, the story revolved around Phil being sent to an asylum after pulling a gun on a store owner who had put Henry’s cigar box on the bottom of the stack and who then declined to display it in a more prominent spot. Several instances were noted of Phil’s erratic behavior, alleged to have stemmed from getting hit by a batted ball in the early 1890's that knocked him unconscious. Less than a year after being placed in the asylum he was dead at age 41.
As most here know, the National League contracted four teams including Louisville after the 1899 season, when team President Barney Dreyfuss sold the release of Wagner, Clarke and a dozen or more remaining Louisville players to the Pittsburgh club. The city would get an American Association team in 1901, but of course Wagner was by then long gone.
Again no mystery solved, but I found the history interesting and maybe someone here can dig deeper.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Great info, thanks for posting, Todd.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

But here is what bothers me: Why would Reccius issue a cigar of Wagner, in Louisville garb, years after Wagner left Louisville?

The same reason cities of minor league teams who produce huge major league stars issue cards for them long after they've left town. I know of several Reading Phillies issues like that and most of those guys were in town for less than a year. Wagner playing several years in Louisville and then becoming one of the biggest stars in the majors, which he was by 1904, could easily inspire a local vendor to do something like that.

I think your research is fantastic and don't find any contradiction, or even anything unusual in the fact that he was issued in a Louisville uniform years after he played there.

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

The same reason cities of minor league teams who produce huge major league stars issue cards for them long after they've left town. I know of several Reading Phillies issues like that and most of those guys were in town for less than a year. Wagner playing several years in Louisville and then becoming one of the biggest stars in the majors, which he was by 1904, could easily inspire a local vendor to do something like that.

I think your research is fantastic and don't find any contradiction, or even anything unusual in the fact that he was issued in a Louisville uniform years after he played there.

It was not really Ryan's research but that of a couple of others from years ago. It is a fascinating piece, no doubt, but after reading the 3 threads, I think after Ryan's further digging, his conclusion is the most reasonable.

[calvindog]

No chance Goldin auctions that card off anytime soon. The consigner was greedy and should have simply run the card without a reserve and gotten out of it. Now all of these threads will pop up and even the least educated of wealthy collectors will find them.

[oldjudge]

LOL, perhaps another HOF donation

[bcbgcbrcb]

I knew all about the dating issue with the card 15 years ago and I had no intention nor wherewithal of bidding on it for that reason. More, I could never afford it but as a potential rookie card, knew it was out of the picture. How anyone, let alone several others, could bid this card up to $875,000 is ridiculous to me. Don’t we need to be a little more educated on what we spend $875K on? To me, anything much above the previous high sale of $50K is questionable.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

I knew all about the dating issue with the card 15 years ago and I had no intention nor wherewithal of bidding on it for that reason. More, I could never afford it but as a potential rookie card, knew it was out of the picture. How anyone, let alone several others, could bid this card up to $875,000 is ridiculous to me. Don’t we need to be a little more educated on what we spend $875K on? To me, anything much above the previous high sale of $50K is questionable.

Maybe they weren't bids that were placed with the hope of winning, given the rules.

[oldjudge]

It would be nice if Goldin disclosed what the highest real bid was (perhaps they were all real, who knows?).