1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner PSA 4 VG-EX

The period from 1909-1915 is regarded by many as the golden age of baseball cards. In order to capitalize on the burgeoning popularity of America’s National Pastime, cards once again, became a viable way for tobacco and candy companies to promote their products. In 1909 the American Tobacco Company issued its landmark T206 set of baseball cards. The set, issued over a three-year span from 1909-1911, featured virtually all of the baseball players of the day, and eventually included 523 different cards. The T206 set is the seminal issue from that era, containing some of the most beautiful, original and expensive cards ever produced. Numerous myths have been perpetuated with regard to the reason for the scarcity of the T206 Honus Wagner Card. One of the prevailing theories was that Wagner insisted that he be paid by the tobacco companies for the use of his image, causing the production of his card to be halted. Today, most knowledgeable collectors subscribe to the well-documented theory that Wagner simply did not want children to be influenced into buying cigarettes just to get a picture of him. Over the course of the last century, volumes have been written and countless tales have been spun about the T206 Wagner card. It has become an icon, and a part of classic American Folklore.



To this day, it is estimated that only about 50 examples of the T206 Wagner have surfaced. Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA), the nations foremost third-party card grading service, has reviewed and encapsulated 25 known specimens. Of those, only two have earned grades greater than a 4, three examples earned 3 (VG) status, with the remainder (19) garnering either a 1 or 2 due to substantial creasing or other glaring physical imperfections.



This card is deemed to be the third finest known example of the most desirable baseball card in the world. This specimen, which has not been previously offered at public auction, has been graded VG-EX 4 by PSA. Wagner’s instantly recognizable portrait remains sharply focused and crisp, rendered in rich color. The centering is near perfect and both surfaces are bright, clean and blemish free. Boldly printed on the reverse is the Sweet Caporal (150 series) branding surrounded by full margins. All four corners show even wear, but not to the point where one is distracted from the vivid image of the “Flying Dutchman."