This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/11/2019
It's unprecedented for an iconic issue like the elusive T206 Eddie Plank card, in any condition, to be overshadowed in an auction by not one but two other cards from the series. But when a Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb with a Ty Cobb reverse come around, that's exactly what happens. And it's a little unseemly to suggest this issue, which hovers at a value in the six-digit range in the assessed grade, is undervalued, but you'd be inclined to agree considering the known populations of the Cobb/Cobb (approx. 20-25) and the Wagner (approx. 60-65), both of which are likely to break the million-dollar mark, aren't so far and away more scarce that the T206 Plank, thought to have an existing population of around 100 examples. From a performance standpoint, Eddie Plank's name may not carry the same status as Ty Cobb or Honus Wagner, but he was every bit the Hall of Fame talent with a 17-year career where he topped the 20-win mark eight times while posting at least 14 victories each season until his last, where he still managed a 1.79 ERA at 41 years old. When he hung up his spikes, Plank had 326 wins, the most by any lefthander until Warren Spahn came along. Whether it was Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson or another pitcher having a standout year like Jack Chesbro or Ed Walsh, Eddie Plank always seemed to be second best, year after year. But putting the numbers and the level of star power aside and getting to the card, the featured example is graded SGC 3 VG and although it exhibits a diagonal crease in the upper left corner, the card offers two pleasing attributes you don't often find on a card at this grade level; near-perfect centering and consistency in the corner rounding, both of which combine to create a masterpiece with delightful overall eye appeal. The Sweet Caporal reverse is positioned toward the right edge with common age toning and no paper loss or other prominent concerns whatsoever. Importantly, and to address a popular theory behind the T206 Plank mystery, the Sweet Caporal back shown here reads "Base Ball Series 350 Subjects," disproving the "broken press plate" theory from the hobby's earlier years when the Plank card was only known to exist with the "150 Subjects" back. It's more likely that Eddie, taking a cue from his respected contemporary over in Pittsburgh, requested American Tobacco to remove his likeness from the set, fearing it would promote tobacco use among children. That is if the prevailing theory about Honus Wagner is accurate as well. Regardless of the reason, the fact remains that the T206 Eddie Plank card probably offers the best value of the set's "big four" considering its incredible scarcity, and the offered example is very pleasing for the grade and would serve as a tremendous addition to any world-class collection.