This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/15/2014
While anyone with even a passing interest in the world of baseball card collecting pays homage to the legendary T206 Honus Wagner card, the T206 card of Hall of Famer Eddie Plank is almost as scarce. Thought to have a total population of around 100 compared to approximately 60 for the Wagner, the Plank card doesn't receive even a fraction of the recognition or fanfare, nor does it command the same respect within the hobby and trails far behind the Wagner in value at comparable grade. Like the Wagner, there are several theories within collector's circles as to the reason behind the scarcity, though none have ever been confirmed. The featured item, though professionally restored in a manner to be discussed momentarily, is probably the most attractive specimen in the industry! To the naked eye, this T206 Sweet Caporal 150 specimen of Eddie Plank appears NM/MT to MINT with amazingly squared endpoints and a near perfect, accurately framed central image that is just about flawless in color and presentation. But under magnification, it becomes evident that this specimen has been professionally restored to the pristine level to which it now exists. Fibers of paper have been added at the endpoints to regain their distinct perpendicular shape and pinpoint-sized areas of the blue backdrop have been expertly retouched as to provide a color continuity that it extremely difficult to detect. In no way should any interested party view this card other than that of an altered specimen, regardless of the amazing quality of work exhibited in the process of restoration. That said, any collector in the market for a T206 Plank who is driven purely and solely by aesthetics will never find a better example at this price point. The framing of the image is as close to perfect as any collector could hope for, with the iconic portrait of Plank and surrounding blue field delivered with near perfection. The outstanding registration of Plank, along with the Sweet Caporal printing on the reverse, are delivered with stunning clarity and were not altered in the process of restoration but merely pleasant characteristics of the "150 subjects" variety. Though probably a moot point to most, an unadulterated specimen in this condition would command, at minimum, several hundreds of thousands of dollars and possibly much more to a motivated buyer. To add some perspective, we believe this specimen compares favorably to the T206 Plank discovered alongside the famous Gretzky-McNall Wagner card in 1985. Though that Plank was deemed to be authentic/trimmed rather than altered (and rightfully so), the overall presentation is similar, with that specimen selling at auction for over $111,000 in 2009. You should never expect to ever see this card in a PSA or SGC holder with a numerical grade, but you can appreciate this amazing gem for what it is; one of the finest looking specimens in existence!