(LOT 39)
Extremely Rare T206 Blank Back/Scrapper Sheet Howie Camnitz "Hands Over Head" - Includes additional "Ghost Image" of Camnitz's Arms on Obverse Side (SGC "Auth")
One of the most elusive T206 backs to obtain is a "Blank Back"/"Scrapper Sheet" version with this odd variation included on many elite enthusiasts' "T206 Top Ten Rarity" lists and ranked as the 9th scarcest T206 on the renowned T206 Museum listing. With that in mind, presented here is an extremely rare T206 "Blank Back" tobacco card of the Pittsburgh Pirates ace right-hander Howie Camnitz in an SGC "Authentic" holder. While the SGC & PSA "pop" charts do not list separate categories for "Blank Backed" T206s, this is the only Camnitz "Hands Over Head" we have seen. Typical with most "blank back" T206's, this example was most likely hand-cut from a scrapper sheet due to the somewhat slightly uneven borders/edging, resulting in the "Authentic" assessment.

Save the edging, the remaining aesthetics are relatively consistent with a "VG" specimen including a relatively clean image of the crafty right-hander. As an added treat, we need to note that this offering also includes a light "ghost image"/restrike of Camnitz's arms directly affixed alongside the primary "arms over head" image. For full disclosure, the verso includes a modest pen checkmark, and we can only imagine the number of T206 "rare back" enthusiasts that will drool over the right to own this extreme rarity that sports BOTH a scrapper blank back and ghost image. Regarding Camnitz, his 25-6 record in 1909 tied Christy Mathewson to lead all of baseball with a winning percentage of .806 in 1909. While Camnitz's microscopic 1.62 ERA amazingly was bested by Mathewson's MLB-best 1.14, the Pittsburgh curveball artist was part of the Pirates 1909 World Championship. Synonymous with that achievement comes along this championship-caliber T206 rarity that would fit nicely in any sophisticated scarce T206 ad back gathering!

MIN BID $300

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