T206 Wagner proof strip now in Philly...

[E93]

I tend to think it is a strip, not pasted together, but honestly I don't think it really matters. It is five proofs, including Wagner, with provenance tracing back to Wagner himself!!! I have always been surprised that it has not sold for more. Condition must be the major factor in lower than anticipated pricing. That may change some day.
JimB

[tedzan]

As I said......

" In any event, I personally feel that if we can date this piece to being a pre-production T206 artifact,
it should garner a value equal to (or greater than) any similar Wagner card.
However, to date it has not, nor will it....until it is professionally SLABBED....this is too bad ! "


Watch it's value rise to Big, Big $$$$$$, if some one convinces a Grading Co. to SLAB it.


TED Z

[drc]

From the pic, it looks like a pasted up item to me. However, that doesn't mean it isn't genuine. By definition, proofs are pre-final production tests and are apt to be different than normal.

[Abravefan11]

Ted -

Yes I agree with the points you have made. It's a fascinating piece and I also agree that once it's slabbed by a grading service the price will go way up.

[Tex]

Ok I don't have nearly the knowledge of some of you in this thread, but I gotta ask: How is a proof strip supposed to convince Wagner to sign on?

I realize there are all sorts of theories about the motive of Wagner's opposition, but the assumption that this strip was a negotiation dangle probably could use a check.

[barrysloate]

It's possible Wagner wanted to see what the cards looked like before he made a decision.

[FUBAR]

So Ted, Can we expect you to be the buyer this summer??

I would expect this to be valued more then the individual card for 2 reasons, the first being, this is the only known example of the strip versus 60 regular Wagner cards, and two- the provenance, knowing that the Wagner estate was the owner.

A grading company would be silly not to want to slab this... what company wouldn't want their name on the most limited, unique and possible best find in the past 30 years?

then again, what do i know?

[onlychild]

Regarding the provenance:

Is this just an oral provenance or is it in writing somewhere by the estate? In the collecting world, provenace is only as good as the paper it's written on.

Can/Has anyone ever traced it back to its origins?...or was it just placed in an auction description? Would be interesting to know.

I think a piece so historically significant would need a rock solid backing.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

It's possible Wagner wanted to see what the cards looked like before he made a decision.

That implies that the look of the cards had something to do with Wagner's decision. I have a hard time believing he'd care.