(LOT 175)
1908 American League Publishing Co. Postcard Honus Wagner PSA 2 GOOD – One of Only Three Examples on the Combined PSA & SGC Pop Charts!
ELUSIVE WAGNER PC!!! This extremely scarce 1908 American League Publishing Co. Honus Wagner postcard is one of only three known examples on the combined PSA and SGC census reports while being the highest graded specimen! Aside from its miraculous existence, the most significant aspect of this ultra-elusive heirloom is the magnificent T206 Carl Horner portrait image of the HOF Pirates shortstop in the upper right quadrant, with any card boasting this hallowed illustration achieving momentous pricing tags over the past several years. Accompanied by an awe-inspiring black and white batting image, it is the iconic Wagner portrait pose that steals the show. One of the four lots in this Spring Auction offering this highly coveted image (the others being a 1910 Tip Top Bread, 1910 E104-2 Nadja caramel, and 1909 Colgan's Chips Square Proof), the most esteemed hobbyists are currently pursuing any issue reflecting this timeless portrayal of the great Wagner.

Issued in 1908, it precedes a majority of the Wagner candy, tobacco, and postcard issues distributed between 1909–1916. Its history can be traced back to the Cleveland, Ohio based American League Publishing Co., which issued 17 known individual players in their eclectic 1908 postcard series, with 14 of those subjects being Cleveland Naps players, including the legendary Addie Joss and Napoleon Lajoie. The remaining three players are the revered Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb and Hughie Jennings, with only four known examples of the immortal Georgia Peach. Measuring 3-1/2" x 5", the cards include a player action pose near the center of the card, accompanied by a classic portrait image near the upper right edge.

A few existing examples reveal a green or red overprint on the obverse side reading: "Collister & Sayle, Athletic Outfitters, Cleveland, O." with an accompanying schedule printed on the back. Regarding desirability and value, even the great Tyrus Raymond Cobb may now take a backseat to the Honus Wagner subject due to the sanctified portrait image of baseball's greatest all-time shortstop. The recent staggering pricing points for Wagner's 1910 Tip Top Bread, W600 Sporting Life Cabinet, M116 Sporting Life (blue & pastel) and E90-2 subjects, including several six-figure+ lofty sales, certainly substantiate this notion. These previously undervalued Portrait Wagners are now following the lead of the "Holy Grail" T206 Wagner, with no end seemingly in sight for this immense pricing escalation. Regarding condition, both the critical portrait and batting black and white images have retained a majority of their original luster, with the exalted T206 pose depicting incredible clarity and contrast.

Preventing a higher assessment are several areas of stray toning/soiling/staining, with the most prevalent soiling spot being a rather bold stain situated near the central left edge. Additional condition-related issues are even corner wear and an unmarked postcard back, with the significant lower region caption boldly reading: "JOHN H. WAGNER, Shortstop Pittsburg Club. Cham-Batter National League. Entered the National League in 1897 with Louisville and went to Pittsburg the following year, with whom he has been ever since." The 1908 campaign would see the illustrious Flying Dutchman capture his sixth NL batting title via a sensational .354 mark while also pacing the Senior Circuit with 109 RBIs, 19 triples, 39 doubles, 201 hits, 53 stolen bases, and a .957 OPS. Honus would ultimately capture two more batting championships, with his eight batting titles tied with Tony Gwynn for the all-time NL mark. Yet, for all of his diamond achievements, it is the unparalleled reverence of his T206 subject that reigns supreme in the hobby, with this significantly scarcer Cooperstown-worthy masterpiece boasting that same glorified pose!

MIN BID $10,000
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