T206 Wagner proof strip now in Philly...

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by jmk59

I hadn't seen it, so thanks so much for posting it. Hunt did a great job in the interview, didn't he? Relaxed and affable, with natural enthusiasm. Great for him to have landed the All-Star deal with MLB and now turning it into an "event" auction.

I wondered for a minute if any individual consignment agreement includes that the item will be part of any media coverage such as this clip. This auction might be expected to get more media coverage than most, and it seemed like having a "first in line for MSNBC piece" might be a good sales pitch. But probably not. Anyone interested in and able to afford the Wagner strip didn't need to see it on MSNBC to know it's in the auction. More likely the publicity helps the auction overall and many some of the non-major pieces, but the premium items would be well known beforehand.

Thanks again for posting the clip.

J

I agree that it's a great catch for Hunt Auctions to hook up with MLB for an annual All-Star Game auction. Maybe they could celebrate by updating their Web site to 2010. Heck, even 2002.

[jmk59]

I was thinking the same thing Rob, that maybe this is what can put them in the mix with the big guys. I have always kept an eye on Hunt auctions, but the horrible software has always left me thinking that they are sort of like the garage sale of auction houses. Lots of stuff, mostly small or niche, some bigger/better items, but you have to dig around for things buried in the loosely collated piles on tables.

J

[brass_rat]

$275,000.

There were some other interesting prices in this auction...and some pieces that failed to sell...

http://huntauctions.com/Live/view_fe...items_list.cfm

[steve B]

I'm missing something there. It shows high bid as 121,000 but sold for 275,000 was 275,000 the reserve and it didn't actually sell?

Steve B

[brass_rat]

I believe the first column represents the initial online bidding that ended on Sunday. Live bidding concluded the auction today. It appears that if something didn't meet the reserve, the "sold for" price is listed as $0.00.

[Jim VB]

To me, the most amazing part of that page is realizing that Chili Davis had 3 World Series Trophies.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

I believe the first column represents the initial online bidding that ended on Sunday. Live bidding concluded the auction today. It appears that if something didn't meet the reserve, the "sold for" price is listed as $0.00.

Ah, now it makes sense. Thanks.

Steve B

[White Borders]

Just received this email from everybody's favorite auction house.

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE T-206 HONUS WAGNER TOBACCO PROOF STRIP c. 1909-11 PURCHASED FOR $316,250 BY SCP AUCTIONS AT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL-STAR AUCTION


The unique surviving T-206 Honus Wagner tobacco proof strip was purchased Tuesday at the Major League Baseball All-Star Auction for $316,250 by SCP Auctions of Laguna Niguel, CA for an anonymous client.

The T-206 piece includes four other players: Mordecai Brown (HOF), Frank Bowerman, Cy Young (HOF), and Johnny Kling, along with Wagner.

Commenting on the acquisition, David Kohler, president and CEO of SCP Auctions, said: “We are thrilled that we have been able to help our client obtain this iconic object in the field of baseball card collecting. The interest in T-206 Wagner legacy continues to transcend popular culture.”

The legacy of the T-206 Honus Wagner Card dates to its creation and initial release by the American Tobacco Company in 1909 as part of a series that included more than 500 different cards. T-206 tobacco cards are among the most widely collected, popular and sought after cards among current collectors.

It is estimated that only 50-60 examples of the T-206 Wagner have surfaced. Numerous myths have been perpetuated and debated during the course of the last century as to the reason for its scarcity. One of the prevailing theories is that Wagner, one of the premier players in the history of baseball, insisted that he be paid by the tobacco company for the use of his image, causing the production of his card to be halted. A more common and well-documented theory is that Wagner simply did not want children to be influenced into buying tobacco products just to get a “picture” of him, and thus forced the early withdrawal of his image on this principle. The volumes that have been written and countless tales that have been spun make the T206 Wagner card a part of classic American Folklore.

T-206 Honus Wagner Tobacco Proof Strip Sells for $316,250
The proof had recently been graded by the professional grading service SGC and certified with an "Authentic" designation. This is the first time that this iconic strip has been professionally graded. For more information, please visit www.scpauctions.com.