(LOT 331)
1914 Cracker Jack #68 Honus Wagner SGC 3 VG
HALLOWED HONUS!!! This outstanding SGC 3 VG 1914 Cracker Jack Honus Wagner proudly resides as one of his most coveted cardboard relics, with its desirability and value continuously rising with the force of an uncontrollable tsunami. It's no secret that Honus Wagner's vintage cards are among the hobby's hottest collectibles, with the rising prices of his iconic Carl Horner portrait issues infectiously spreading to all his other desirable candy cards. The 1914 Cracker Jack cards inserted into boxes of sticky caramel corn stand right alongside the likewise renowned T206 subjects as the most exalted of all pre-WWI cardboard issues. Paving the way for this world-class compilation are our National Pastime's greatest Deadball Era immortals, including Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Joe Jackson, and the incomparable Honus Wagner.

The Flying Dutchman is regarded as baseball's greatest all-time shortstop, with the legendary Hans accumulating 3,420 hits, batting over .300 for 17 consecutive seasons, winning eight National League batting titles, and being one of the five hallowed charter members elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1936. Yet, amazing as it may seem, his statistical attributes are not the compelling force behind his resounding influence in the card bobby, for it is his appearance on the "Holy Grail" T206 Wagner that has earned him this unparalleled distinction. Because of his exalted T206 subject, all Wagner cards are now considered ultra-desirable, with their previously undervalued price tags now achieving values consistent with Wagner's unequivocal legacy. Of the 43 SGC encapsulated copies, only 12 examples have managed to exceed this SGC 3 grade, a bona fide testament to the ultra-condition sensitivity of 1914 Cracker Jacks.

Indeed, finding an eye-pleasing 1914 Cracker Jack Honus Wagner is an excruciating chore, with most surviving examples exhibiting unsightly stains as well as extremely skewed images. This particular example boasts a spectacular Wagner portrait illustration, with the timeless pose portraying superb contrast and clarity. True, while there are some spotted caramel stains on Wagner's Pirates flannels as well as on the flipside, the obverse side stains are somewhat light and do not compromise the overall integrity of the classic Honus image. Atypical fine centering does exhibit a modest favoritism towards the left edge between four relatively clean borders, and the bold fire engine red background has eluded any glaring flaws. No obtrusive creases are evident, and the subtle corner wear is more consistent with a mid-grade example. Indeed, this cardboard treasure's eye-opening aesthetics are far superior than its somewhat harsh technical assessment (most likely due to the aforementioned spotted stains), with the immortal Wagner image literally jumping off the card.

Its esteemed hobby stature is easily substantiated by another 3 VG example fetching over $25K some 16 months ago in January 2022. Since that time, an abundance of 1914 Cracker Jack specimens have leaped in value, and the revered #68 Wagner subject is surely a significant component of this widespread Cracker Jack pricing craze. Legendary manager John McGraw always insisted that Honus Wagner was the greatest all-around baseball player he ever saw, an auspicious statement in lieu of the fact that McGraw witnessed both Cobb and Ruth at their utmost best. That said, this majestic Cracker Jack Wagner effectively turns back the clock to an era when the iconic Honus ruled the shortstop position better than anyone who ever graced a baseball diamond, truly worthy of the highest hobby accolades!

MIN BID $7,500
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