Rare Honus Wagner 1909 baseball card sold for record $2.8 million
September 6, 2007
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (AP) -- A rare Honus Wagner baseball card has been sold for a record $2.8 million, just over six months after it was bought for
a then-record $2.35 million.
Referred to as the "Mona Lisa" of baseball cards, the almost mint-condition collectible -- released in 1909 by the American Tobacco Company -- was
sold by Brian Seigel of Las Vegas to an unidentified Southern California collector in February. SCP Auctions was a minority owner, but David Kohler,
the company's president and CEO, said that's no longer the case.
Kohler said the new owner wishes to remain a private collector for now, but might identify himself at a later date. The sale was completed last week
and announced Thursday.
The T206 baseball card features a youthful Wagner in his Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. At the time of the February sale, it was displayed at a Dodger
Stadium news conference.
"This has always been the holy grail, the Mona Lisa of baseball cards," Kohler said.
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Adding to its value is that only 50 to 60 Wagner cards are believed to exist, and none of the others in circulation are close to the quality of this
one, which has been encased in protective sheeting for decades.
"This is the finest by far per condition," Kohler said.
There are no immediate plans to put the card on display, Kohler said.
"There's a possibility that might happen in the future, we don't know for sure," Kohler said. "It was displayed last month at the National Sports
Collectors Convention in Cleveland. Next year, it's in Chicago. I'm sure we'll have it on display again. I'm sure the new owner won't have a problem
with that."
Seigel, the CEO of an asset management company, paid a record $1.265 million when he bought the card in 2000. Among the previous owners were hockey
great Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall, former owner of the Los Angeles Kings, who paid $451,000 for it in 1991.
Wagner's card was among the first of hundreds of cards of major league players produced by the American Tobacco Co. and included in packages of
cigarettes.
Unlike other players, however, Wagner quickly demanded that his card be withdrawn. Theories vary as to why, with one being that he didn't believe
American Tobacco paid him enough.
A non-smoker, the Pittsburgh shortstop was arguably the second-greatest baseball player of his era, behind Ty Cobb. Wagner hit .344 during his rookie
year of 1897, and batted over .300 for 17 consecutive seasons, winning eight National League batting titles.
One of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Wagner retired in 1917 with more hits, runs, RBIs, doubles, triples and steals
than any NL player.
Kohler said over 1,200 items are currently up for auction on his company's web site including the balls Barry Bonds hit for his record-tying 755th
homer and record-breaking 756th homer last month. Those are up for sale through Sept. 15.JawnDiablo - 9-7-2007 at 01:53 PM
I wish I had 2.3 million to spend on a Honus card...CR83 - 9-7-2007 at 01:55 PM
Speaking of our beloved xHonusx, he has had a low profile recently. What's the latest?clevohardcore - 9-7-2007 at 02:08 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by ChrisReed83
Speaking of our beloved xHonusx, he has had a low profile recently. What's the latest?
DaveMoral - 9-7-2007 at 11:25 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by ChrisReed83
Speaking of our beloved xHonusx, he has had a low profile recently. What's the latest?
We're working on auctioning him off for millions as we speak....XHonusWagnerX - 9-10-2007 at 10:06 AM
Haha... Im here guys, sorry Ive been low profile.... but have no fear I didnt run away!CR83 - 9-10-2007 at 05:52 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by XHonusWagnerX
Haha... Im here guys, sorry Ive been low profile.... but have no fear I didnt run away!
Good, we need ya.JawnDiablo - 9-10-2007 at 06:37 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by XHonusWagnerX
Haha... Im here guys, sorry Ive been low profile.... but have no fear I didnt run away!
I missed you, in a straight sorta way of course....
