This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/11/2019
Other than the card of Honus Wagner, unquestionably the most honored and recognized sports card ever produced, the T206 card of Hall of Famer Eddie Plank is the rarest of any other card in the series that isn't the result of a quirky variation. So difficult to find in any grade as it is thought to exist with a population of only around 100, it is part of "the big four" cards that aren't required to call the T206 collection a complete set. But like big-game hunters searching for mythical creatures in an attempt to validate their existence, well-financed collectors and T206 set-builders are always on the prowl to land that "white whale" that is the T206 Eddie Plank. Presented is an extraordinary example of one of the most famous baseball cards ever produced: a 350 series PSA 4 example of the ultra-rare T206 Eddie Plank card. As we've stated in the past, the possible explanations as to the scarcity of this particular issue are without conclusive evidence; one theory that has been largely rejected is that the printing plate for the Plank card was broken in early production, but since the card exists with both the 150 series and, to a lesser extent, 350 series reverse, it would still be just as numerous as any other issue from the 150 series, which it certainly is not. The most accepted rationale, often attributed to the Wagner card as well, is that either Plank had the card pulled from production because he did not want his name used to endorse tobacco products or that he threatened legal action to be compensated for using his name and likeness. Although he is prominently featured in virtually all of the candy card sets from that time period, his absence from the T3, T201, T202, T205 and T207 sets, all tobacco issues, supports this theory. But his appearance in the T204 Ramly and T5 Pinkerton sets swings the pendulum towards money. While the PSA grade for this masterpiece is enough to entice any world-class collector, the eye-appeal is even better. Other than a moderate bias toward the right edge and a small, insignificant discoloration on the 350 series reverse, there's very little about this rare beauty that doesn't register as above-grade. The image of Plank, flanked by that familiar blue field, is perfectly delivered and competes favorably with any T206 in the EX/MT to NM ranks, free of any issues other than some faint blue overspray into the border. The corners have typical enamel loss but aren't rounded nearly as much as you'd expect for the grade level. In our honest opinion, if you covered the grades and showed this card and the PSA 5 example we sold six years ago to experts, we think most would prefer this one. A truly fantastic piece that is worthy of the world's finest collections!