This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2019
Offered is one of the truly startling images of the great Honus Wagner ever issued on cardboard. The featured collectible is 1 of just 5 copies of the red version of this card to have been graded MINT by PSA with just a sole example that has been graded at a higher level. The "Flying Dutchman”, a reference to his German heritage, Wagner had a bit of an awkward look about him. But in this case, looks were deceiving, as Honus was one of the best hitters and better athletes the game has ever seen. He gripped the bat with his hands inches apart and went the other way on outside pitches or slid his hands together in a more traditional grip and pulled pitches down the line. He was a smart player who could adjust his game to fit the situation. Burleigh Grimes, who as a youngster was a teammate of Wagner, recalled “One day he was batting against a young pitcher who had just come into the league. The catcher was a kid, too. A rookie battery. The pitcher threw Honus a curveball, and he swung at it and missed and fell down on one knee. Looked helpless as a robin. I was kind of surprised, but the guy sitting next to me on the bench poked me in the ribs and said, 'Watch this next one.' Those kids figured they had the old man's weaknesses, you see, and served him up the same dish-as he knew they would. Well, Honus hit a line drive so hard the fence in left field went back and forth for five minutes.”
During the first decade of the 20th Century no player was more dominant than Wagner. He led the majors in hits, runs, doubles, total bases, extra-base hits, runs batted in, stolen bases, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. John McGraw stated his feelings on the game’s greatest player unequivocally when he said “You can have your Cobbs, your Lajoies, your Chases, your Bakers, but I'll take Wagner as my pick of the greatest. He is not only a marvelous mechanical player, but he has the quickest baseball brain I have ever observed”. The featured card is a truly stunning relic that offers the enthusiast a terrific glimpse into nearly shear perfection. Pristinely centered with a deep red background surrounding the legendary ballplayer. Each of the four corners seem to have acted like pillars that have thwarted off any advancement of potential wear. The borders are colgate white with the contrast against the red of the background creating a tantalizing feast for the senses. The surface is catapulted to the next level by a ever so fine layer of original gloss. The reverse is a splendid presentation with no stains apparent and just an acceptable level of bleed through of the immense red of the obverse. If you're looking for the finest, you surely have it here. Offered in attractive MINT condition bordering on being GEM MINT!