(LOT 68)
T206 Walter Johnson "Portrait" – Piedmont 150 Subjects/Factory 25 (PSA NM/MT 8)
The T206 Walter Johnson "Portrait" tobacco card suffices as one of his most coveted cardboard issues, especially considering that, inexplicably, no major Candy (except the unpopular E91) or Bread cards were issued for the "Big Train". It is no secret that along with the four Ty Cobb subjects and Cy Young "portrait", the Johnson "portrait" currently resides as one of the most valuable and highly coveted tobacco cards issued by the ATC over a century ago. Presented here is a magnificent T206 Johnson "Portrait" PSA 8 Piedmont 150 Subjects gem that joins two other Piedmont specimens at this plateau with only 3 Piedmont examples graded higher!

To own an extremely high-grade pre-WWI cardboard artifact of the "Big Train" is every elite collector's dream. Johnson's accomplishments are virtually insurmountable, explaining why most baseball experts nominate him as the greatest pitcher who ever lived. 417 lifetime wins, over 3,500 strikeouts, a lifetime 2.17 ERA, and an incredible 110 shutouts (including a staggering 38 1-0 wins!) certainly substantiate that notion. One of Walter Johnson's earliest cardboard issues, its 150-Subjects ad back places it alongside his 1909 T204 Ramly and 1908 Rose postcard as one of his inaugural cardboard prizes.

This spellbinding offering's aesthetics easily support the NM/MT 8 assessment starting with the classic Carl Horner portrait image that presents itself in near-perfect fashion. Set against an extremely well-centered angelic yellow hued background, no T206 image could possibly equal the virtually unparalleled reverence of this iconic Johnson type card. Snow white borders, a razor-sharp perimeter, super clean surfaces and clean ad back are additional superlatives for this extraordinary Walter Johnson keepsake, and we highly advise the elite enthusiast to jump aboard the "Big Train" express and rise this breathtaking gem directly into the heart of your collection!

MIN BID $12,500