I always link to stories about Honus Wagner T-206 cards going up for auction because when I was a kid I was convinced I was going to find one if I looked around in junkyards, garage sales and flea markets long enough. I would have settled for a ’52 Mantle, but the Wagner was really what I was looking for.
That said, even if I had the means, I don’t think I’d get in on the action now. It’s just … too much:
The card being auctioned at Goldin’s is one of the three highest quality cards in existence. On a scale of 1 to 10, a card graded 8 was bought by Wayne Gretzky in 1991 for $451,000. After a handful of other collectors, it rests now with Ken Kendrick, owner of the the Arizona Diamondbacks, who paid $2.8 million for it in 2007.
Another card, with a 5 grade, was sold to an anonymous buyer in 2008 for $1.62 million.
The card at Goldin’s is also graded 5. It’s been in the hands of a private collector and locked in a bank vault for the past five years.
What a waste. Like this guy doesn’t have a bike with spokes?
I’m more surprised that Kendrick’s is the best quality one out there. While near-mint condition cards are great, you’d think he’d want something more gritty.
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- IdahoMariner - Feb 25, 2013 at 9:29 AM
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extra points for gritty snark, craig. i am up way too early (for me) for outright laughter, but it was a good warmup for later.
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- albertmn - Feb 25, 2013 at 9:49 AM
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$2.8 million for a piece of paper. I just find it amazing that some people have so much money they have nothing better to do with it.
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- fanofevilempire - Feb 25, 2013 at 2:07 PM
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If that is the way they chose to spend their money what can you do, I would hope he had it on display for Arizona fans to see, I know, I know, in a display case so you can’t touch.
I would hate to own it and have it in a safety deposit box.I guess when it is an Investment and Insurance and such this is what you have to do, hey, I got my valuables in a safety box.
Hey Craig, I change my mind I won’t be bidding after all, it’s all yours buddy.
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- unclemosesgreen - Feb 25, 2013 at 10:03 AM
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Kendrick bought the card from a hockey player though. Extra grit points.
That player was Wayne “Lady Bing” Gretzky. Minus 1/2 of those grit points.
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- yahmule - Feb 25, 2013 at 1:18 PM
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Yes, but the co-owner of the card was cherubic white collar felon Bruce McNall. Defrauding six bank out of a quarter of a billion dollars and getting 70 months in minimum security gotta be worth some grit.
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- misterfrump - Feb 25, 2013 at 10:16 AM
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If this is $1.62 million, I’m assuming I can get at least 5k out of my 1988 Tops Danny Tartabull, right?
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- dowhatifeellike - Feb 25, 2013 at 10:38 AM
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I have some autographed Larry Walkers and Scott Ericksons around here somewhere… didn’t realize I was sitting on a gold mine!
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- misterfrump - Feb 25, 2013 at 10:47 AM
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Oh, I am the proud owner of a 1990 Topps Scott Erickson rookie card, *that I rushed out and bought for $15 in 1991*. I was a little kid, had some allowance and was sure I was making an incredible investment in my future.
As you can see, history has proven me correct.
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- uwsptke - Feb 25, 2013 at 12:48 PM
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I did the same thing, except it was for the reigning 1992 AL Rookie of the Year (Pat Listach). Talk about buying high.
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- mybrunoblog - Feb 25, 2013 at 2:27 PM
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There has always been some talk in the memoribilia world that this Wagner card has been trimmed. I wonder if anyone has ever tested the card. Oh wait. The union won’t agree to that. Nevermind.
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- jwbiii - Feb 25, 2013 at 6:24 PM
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I’m sure the card has been “authenticated.” How a person becomes an authenticator is another matter. I thought the article I read on the subject was on Peter Nash’s site but I can’t find it now. The high end memorabilia business is pretty filthy, rife with theft and forgeries.
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- badintent - Feb 25, 2013 at 10:34 PM
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Craig ,I had a 1956 Mantle, gave it to my brother and he sold it for chump chance.
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- denny65 - Feb 27, 2013 at 2:50 AM
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Yeah, well I have a ’56 Roy McMillan that came in a pack of hot dogs. So there.
