(LOT 30)
Brilliant c.1910's Honus Wagner Freeman Cigar Co. Box "Proof" – Possible Salesman Sample & One of the Finest Known Examples!
The legacy of Honus Wagner's T206 card reigns supreme in our illustrious hobby. The most desirable and valuable of all baseball cards, its "ghost-like" Carl Horner portrait image of the Flying Dutchman literally serves as the "poster child" for the entire baseball card market, sending chills down one's spine at the mere sight of Wagner's stoic pose. The whole mystique behind the T206 Wagner rarity stems from Wagner's alleged disdain for promoting tobacco products, eventually leading to Wagner having his T206 card "pulled" from production. Interestingly enough, Wagner was noted for utilizing tobacco products, and as the story goes, it was his utmost disdain for actually promoting cigarettes to children that prompted him to have the ATC terminate production of his T206 subject.

Wagner certainly chewed tobacco and smoked cigars while promoting several cigar brands during his playing days including the use of the same Carl Horner image on the Freeman Cigar Company boxes. That said, one of his most popular Cigar Box Labels is the 3-1/4" x 4-1/4" oval sized label used to seal the upper lid to the front panel for Freeman Cigars issued in circa 1910. More significantly, the embossed lithographic image utilizes the iconic Hans Wagner portrait image affixed to his immortal T206 subject. Presented here in absolutely breathtaking condition is one of the finest preserved examples of this striking label that was obviously never used on a store sold cigar box. Most likely a factory issued salesman sample/proof, its obverse side portrays the highly coveted Wagner T206 image and a super eye pleasing background baseball game scene, with both lithographic illustrations depicted in brilliant pastel-like hues.

Directly above the classic Wagner pose is his revered "HANS WAGNER" name, reflected in extremely bold red text, the perimeter edging remains ultra-sharp and no obtrusive flaws are evident on the front side. The blank-backed verso does show some glue remnants on the left side, most likely due from being pulled form a Salesman's sample album. Stunning to say the least, the overall presentation and unparalleled aesthetics place this as one of the most fascinating and spectacular Honus Wagner artifacts extant, bar none. That, along with its irrefutable paucity level and "timeless essence" would entice any pre-war collector to capture this museum-worthy masterpiece for a price tag that is a mere fraction of what you would have to spend on a T206 Honus Wagner baseball card!

MIN BID $1,000
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