There was plenty of buzz around the news that the T206 “All-Star Café” Wagner was coming on the market for the first time in several years. Now we know that Honus and his rare T206 cousin, the Joe Doyle “NY Nat’l” rarity aren’t the only stars in the hobby’s next major auction, set to begin later this week.
The Wagner and Doyle cards are actually part of a T206 set break-up that includes the other two members of “the big four,” a T206 Eddie Plank and a copy of the Sherry Magee (“Magie”) error card, both graded PSA Authentic.
Another T206 complete set without those four rarities, and ranked #12 on the PSA Set Registry, will also be offered in its entirety.
There’s also a bunch of lots from a stunning, one-owner collection of vintage baseball and football cards set to make its auction debut.
“We’ve acquired a collection that incorporates virtually every mainstream baseball and football card set from the turn of the century to the 1980s,” stated MHCC President and CEO Brian Drent. “Some of these cards haven’t seen a public sale in many years.”
The auction begins on Thursday, March 10 and concludes three weeks later on Thursday, March 31.
In addition to the pair of T206 sets, other featured complete and near-complete set that will be on the block is a graded master set of 1911 T205 Gold Border cards, the 13th ranked 1887 N28 Allen & Ginter baseball set on the PSA Set Registry, a graded near set of 1912 T202 Hassan Triple Folders, a set of 1915 Cracker Jack cards ranked eighth on the registry, a 1916 M101-4 Sporting News near set, 1933 and 1934 Goudey baseball sets, a1935 Goudey master set encompassing each of the puzzle variations found on the backs, 1939-41 Play Ball baseball sets, a near complete graded 1948 Leaf Baseball set, a 1958 Topps Baseball master set that ranks as the fourth current finest at PSA, the ninth ranked 1955 Topps All American Football master set, a 1924 V145-2 set that’s ranked number two on the Set Registry and the ninth best 1951 Topps Ringside set.
Some iconic cards are being offered individually, including the T205 Hoblitzell “No Stats” SGC 5, the 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth rookie card (PSA 4) and Joe Jackson (SGC 6.5), the 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb (PSA 4) and Joe Jackson (PSA 3), the 1933 Goudey #106 Napoleon Lajoie (SGC 5), the 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson (PSA 6) and a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle (SGC Authentic).
A 1911 T3 Turkey Red set is also slated for breakup.
Other key cards in the auction include a 1941 Play Ball #71 Joe DiMaggio PSA 8 NM-MT, a 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle SGC 3 VG, a 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays PSA 8 NM/MT, a 1953 Topps #82 Mantle PSA 7 NM, a 1954 Topps #128 Henry Aaron PSA 8 NM/MT, a 1958 Hires Root Beer Willie Mays Test with tab PSA 4 VG-EX, a 1964 Topps #125 Pete Rose PSA 9 MINT, a PSA 10 1967 Topps #460 Harmon Killebrew, a 1969 Topps #260 Reggie Jackson rookie PSA 9 MINT, a 2011 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor Mike Trout 30/50 BGS 9 MINT, a 1984-85 Star #101 Michael Jordan BGS 7.5 NM+, a 1986 Fleer Jordan rookie PSA 9 MINT, a 1957 Topps #138 John Unitas PSA 8 NM/MT and a 1965 Topps #122 Joe Namath rookie SGC 8 NM-MT.
Modern card collectors will see a 2000 SPx #130 Tom Brady PSA 9 MINT, 2000 Playoff Contenders #144 Brady Autograph BGS 8.5 NM/MT+ BAS Auto 10 and a 2020 Panini National Treasures Joe Burrow Green Jersey RPA 6/9 PSA 9 MINT/Auto 10.
Collectors of true vintage rarities will also see a six-card uncut sheet of 1960 Fleer that includes the rare Eddie Collins/Pepper Martin error card and another with the Lefty Grove/Pepper Martin error. There are also two 1968 Topps 3D uncut proof sheets that include two unissued cards.
The memorabilia section is headlined by a Ruth H&B Louisville Slugger Bat (PSA/DNA GU 9) with provenance indicating it was believed to have been used to hit three of his 714 home runs. There’s also a signed ticket from 1926 when he hit his 346th career home run (PSA 2/auto 9).
Collectors will have a chance to bid on a Lou Gehrig autographed photo from 1936, a 2013 Demaryius Thomas Denver Broncos autographed game jersey from the time when he snared his 55th TD pass of the season that includes COAs from Panini, the Denver Broncos and JSA, a 1975 Topps Baseball unopened rack pack box, a 2020 Panini National Treasures Football unopened case and a 1979-80 Topps Hockey vending box.
Registration and bidding take place on the company’s website.