"THE CONNECTICUT WAGNER" - 1909 T206 White Border Honus Wagner - Sweet Caporal 150 Subjects/Factory 30 - PSA PR-FR 1

“THE CONNECTICUT WAGNER” – 1909 T206 HONUS WAGNER – SWEET CAPORAL 150 SUBJECTS/FACTORY 30 - PSA PR-FR 1

There is an unequivocal passion and mystique associated with assembling some of the finest artifacts that extend far beyond their lofty value. The simple “right to own a copy” conception is an extremely powerful and prevailing force driving a “true” enthusiast in capturing not only the rarest relics, but more significantly, owning an “iconic” collectible that literally spans the globe regarding its unparalleled stature. Whether it is fine art, coin collecting, stamps, entertainment, or sports cards (just to mention a few of the popular hobby niches), each distinctive venue boasts a particular “Holy Grail” keepsake sparking an incomparable desire for their decisive ownership. Indeed, the idea of esteemed “bragging rights” certainly comes into play, for most collectors fortunate enough to be able to afford these seemingly priceless heirlooms are immediately bestowed an infinite level of immense pride and prestigious entry into an exclusive “Collector’s Club.” Fine art has its Rembrandts and Picasso’s, elite coin collectors can only relish the thought of owning the 1933 St. Gaudens Gold $20 Double-Eagle, stamp enthusiasts salivate at the notion of purchasing an Inverted Jenny air-mail postage stamp, and the staggering $32.5 million record-setting sale of Judy Garland’s exalted Ruby Slippers in 2024 placed an exclamation point on the unlimited investment potential of any world-class memento. Of course, the one card that stands tall within the sports card collecting market is the legendary T206 Honus Wagner originally released by the American Tobacco Company (ATC) in 1909. While there is an abundance of other hallowed cardboard keepsakes such as the 1952 Topps Mantle, 1914 Baltimore News Ruth, T206 Ty Cobb Tobacco ad-back, 1916 Babe Ruth Rookie, T206 Plank and 1933 Goudey Lajoie (just to mention a few), none of these cards can possibly compete with the esoteric reverence of a T206 Wagner. This unmatched tobacco treasure stands far above any of its inferior brethren, ultimately leading to its rightful designation as the "Holy Grail" of all sports cards. Some 116 years ago, no one could remotely fathom that when the great Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Johannes Peter "Honus" Wagner supposedly instructed the American Tobacco Company (ATC) to withdraw his subject from T206 cigarette production, it would eventually lead to the most coveted cardboard prize on the planet. Goldin Auctions is proud to present one of the “storybook” T206 Wagner’s extant, the highly celebrated “CONNECTICUT WAGNER” graded a PSA PR-FR 1 and featuring a Sweet Caporal 150 Subjects/Factory 30 ad back. One of approximately 60 known T206 Wagner’s known to exist (including some un-graded specimens), an interesting feature is the technical ‘PR-FR 1” grade including “FR” as part of the grade, with this museum worthy example originally encapsulated at a time when “half-grades” were not being offered by the PSA Grading Company. Combined, PSA and SGC list only 54 total encapsulated copies, of which 28 examples (52%) reflect “PR 1” (19) or “Authentic” (9) assessments, truly substantiating the severe condition sensitivity of any T206 Wagner.   

HISTORY OF “THE CONNECTICUT WAGNER”

Who would have thought that when the renowned photographer Carl Horner originally struck this timeless Honus Wagner portrait pose at the turn of the 20^th century, the classic image would eventually evolve into the undisputed cornerstone of the illustrious card hobby. Its unwavering presence resides as a sheer symbol of baseball treasure, effectively transcending the captivated fan through a century of time when the immortal Honus Wagner was embarking on a career that would place him as our National Pastime’s greatest all-time shortstop. Unfortunately for the collecting community, the T206 Wagner seldom surfaces for the taking, with this esteemed offering the first numerically graded T206 Wagner in a public auction since early 2022! Of utmost significance, this PSA 1 gem includes critical provenance as to when it first surfaced in the hobby some forty years ago. Its then fortunate owner walked into a local Connecticut card show in 1985 with the Wagner as part of a near-complete 523-card T206 set (only missing the rare Doyle variation). After proudly showcasing the Wagner to many vendors, a “father & son” dealer tandem ultimately purchased the card, and the advent of the regal “Connecticut Wagner” was officially born. The new owners held their T206 Wagner for roughly 25 years, eventually selling it in a Spring 2010 public auction for $282,000, when Wagners were selling for a fraction of their current seven-figure plus values. Its new owner, who had likewise built the entire T206 set, placed his entire set and the Connecticut Wagner on display at the well-respected Detroit Institute of Art for several years, privately selling it a decade later to our esteemed consignor.