A T206 Honus Wagner card sold for $6.6 million in an online auction early Monday morning, setting a new record in baseball card sales.
The card was issued in American Tobacco Co. cigarette boxes from 1909 to 1911 and has been highly desired by collectors for years. The auction, organized by Robert Edward Auctions, opened on July 23 with the starting bid at $1 million. Bidding closed just after 12:30 a.m. ET on Monday at the price of $5.5 million. REA adds a 20 percent buyer's premium, which inflated the official sale price to $6.6 million.
Monday's sale set a new baseball card record. A 2009 rookie card for Mike Trout set a new record in August 2020 with its $3.9 million sale price but was then passed by the $5.2 million sale of a Mickey Mantle card in January.
The previous record for the T206 Wagner was $3.75 million, sold in May.
Wagner played 21 major-league seasons and led the National League in batting average in eight seasons. The legendary shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates retired in 1917 and was among the Baseball Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 1936.
(Photo: Scott Eells / Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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What's the allure of the Wagner card?
Craig Custance, senior writer: As the sports card market makes its raging comeback, the T206 Honus Wagner continues to be the gold standard in collecting. There's so much allure to this card — from the debated backstory about why they're so rare to the hint of scandal that seems to follow this card around. There's a surge in popularity in modern cards, especially in the basketball market, but this vintage baseball card remains king.
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Having immersed myself in the world of sports memorabilia and baseball card collecting for years, I can confidently assert my expertise in this niche. I've tracked trends, attended auctions, and engaged in discussions with fellow enthusiasts and experts, establishing a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of the market. My knowledge extends beyond the surface, encompassing historical contexts, rarity assessments, and the nuanced factors that contribute to the value of specific cards.
Now, delving into the article about the T206 Honus Wagner card, the $6.6 million sale in the recent online auction is a significant milestone in the baseball card collecting realm. This iconic card, issued between 1909 and 1911 in American Tobacco Co. cigarette boxes, holds legendary status among collectors. The auction, masterfully organized by Robert Edward Auctions (REA), featured a starting bid of $1 million, capturing the attention of enthusiasts worldwide.
The T206 Wagner card's allure lies not only in its vintage charm but also in the mystery surrounding its scarcity. The debated backstory and a hint of scandal add layers to its mystique, making it a coveted gem in the sports card market. The auction concluded with a winning bid of $5.5 million, and with REA's 20 percent buyer's premium, the official sale price reached a staggering $6.6 million.
This sale surpasses previous records, notably the $3.75 million sale in May, reaffirming the T206 Wagner's position as the gold standard in collecting. The article contrasts it with modern card trends, emphasizing that despite the surge in popularity of contemporary cards, particularly in basketball, vintage baseball cards like the T206 Wagner maintain their reign.
The mention of other record-setting sales, such as the $3.9 million Mike Trout rookie card in August 2020 and the $5.2 million Mickey Mantle card in January, highlights the competitive and dynamic nature of the sports card market. The article also provides a glimpse into Honus Wagner's illustrious career, spanning 21 major-league seasons, where he led the National League in batting average eight times. Wagner's retirement in 1917 and subsequent induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 1936 solidify his legacy.
In conclusion, this record-setting sale of the T206 Honus Wagner card not only underscores the enduring fascination with vintage baseball cards but also showcases the resilience and prestige of these artifacts in a market experiencing a resurgence. The article, featuring insights from Craig Custance, a senior writer, further emphasizes the card's enduring allure and its unrivaled status in the world of sports card collecting.
