14. 1910-11 M116 Sporting Life Honus Wagner (HOF - Blue) - SGC GD+ 2.5
Well-preserved M116 Sporting Life card of Honus “Hans” Wagner (Pittsburg, without the “h” back then) in an SGC Good+ 2.5holder and looking strong after 113 years passage. Centered slightly left with rounded corners and foxing, this Wagner is a colorful and sharp card, and one of the more important cards in the Sporting Life set. A small crease appears on the left edge at The Flying Dutchman’s eye level, and still only 16 examples have ever achieved a higher grade through SGC. The Sporting Life ad that makes up the reverse is in superb shape. There is one small smudge - not affecting any of the printing - which is still brilliantly blue after all these years. The image on the front comes from the same original photograph by Carl J. Horner which was used on Wagner’s famous T206 card which sells for millions, however this Sporting Life card mirrored the image so Honus faces left. MINIMUM BID: $5,000
15. 1909-11 T206 Brown Hindu Cy Young (HOF) - PSA GOOD 2
We often quote an old friend’s observation that the image on the T206 Cy Young “portrait” card seems better-suited to be framed and hanging above a fireplace mantel than it does on a baseball card. Young’s serious expression is offset against a deep, green background, creating a striking, almost regal image, as the aging pitcher was one of the game’s elder statesman, in his early 40s when the T206 cards were issued. In recent years, the card has become one of the keys to the issue, with realized prices escalating in all grades. Adding to the desirability of this example, of course, is the tough Hindu Cigarettes reverse. T206 Hall of Famers with difficult backs continue to skyrocket; as the cards get tucked away in private collections the truly exceptional examples get more difficult to find. The reverse here does exhibit a few spots of paper loss, but is otherwise clean. The front is equally strong, the primary flaw related to corner rounding. An outstanding example, among the finest of many rareback T206 cards featured in this auction. MINIMUM BID: $2,000
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