Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXVIII
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
7/30/2010
If the T206 Honus Wagner is our illustrious hobby’s “Holy Grail”, then its T206 obscure brethren, the Eddie Plank, Joe Doyle variation and Sherry Magie error cards, should be classified as neighboring “Mona Lisa’s”. These “Big Four” are the incomparable subjects of the prestigious T206 Monster Set, and obtaining them is such a remote possibility for most collectors’ budgets that many collectors suffice by assembling 520 of the 524 subjects…”most” collectors that is! The highest order of elite collectors, financially affluent and painstakingly persistent will stop at NOTHING to obtain all 524 T206 cards, including the Wagner, Plank, Doyle variation and Magie error cards. Unfortunately, seldom do these cards become available in auctions, and enthusiasts impatiently ponder when the next potential opportunity to claim ownership of at least ONE of the “Big Four” will appear. Well, courtesy of Goodwin & Company, one of the most sanctified Sherry “Magie” error cards in existence is presented here, the former Barry Halper example situated in a magnificent custom-made green leather folding, Solander Case!
So how did Sherry Magee’s T206 baseball card become so valuable and desirable? While Magee was a super player for 16 years, 10 consecutive years of which he was the Phillies leftfielder, his efforts on a baseball diamond fall short of Hall of Fame status. Luckily for Magee, the Virginia “Factory 25”manufacturers of Piedmont Cigarette’s inadvertently spelled his name “Magie” in their first release of his tobacco card, erroneously utilizing an “i” instead of the first “e” in his last name, ensuring Magee’s eternal popularity amongst cardboard collectors. While the company quickly corrected their error, cardboard history was already ensured, with a number of “Magie” error cards already released to the tobacco smoking community. So there you have it, a fourth monumental T206 card to forever chase and a cardboard gem that is so sanctified, it resides in PSA’s “Top 250 Sports Card Hobby Guide”.
Other than the Wagner and Plank T206 images, NO tobacco portrait pose could possibly be considered more popular than the Sherry Magee’s Carl Horner image affixed to the iconic “Magie” error T206. Unfortunately, many of the few Magie errors that do become available provide poor aesthetic appeal, extremely “beat up” and found with low-end technical grades. While not encapsulated in a major grading company’s holder, based on its visual appeal we would grade this card “VG”. A splendid Carl Horner portrait image of the Philadelphia outfielder depicts fine clarity and superb facial colored hues. Supporting the Magee pose is a visually pleasing olive green background, with the entire image slightly favoring the upper left edges. Although rounded, even corner wear still projects an eye pleasing uniformity, and the four borders are relatively clean. No major creasing is evident and only moderate toning exists on the “Piedmont Cigarette” reverse side. The only major technical stigma impacting any potential assigned grade is the lightly written “T206” phase in pencil directly above the bold blue “Piedmont” text. While we do agree with our prior “VG” aesthetic assessment, as most hobbyists realize, this notation would most likely result in a PSA 3 with a “MK” qualifier or an SGC 20/1.5 grade. Nevertheless, we strongly feel that its future owner will not be racing off to either PSA or SGC since the symbolic significance of owning Barry Halper’s original T206 Magie error card far exceeds a lower tiered technically assigned grade. The approximate 9” x 6” green leather clad Solander Case, itself, has retained a majority of its original pristine qualities. The bold green leather cover, including the spine, is predominately unblemished, with the gold embroided “BARRY HALPER BASEBALL ARCHIVES” virtually flawless. As you open the front cover, the infamous T206 Magie card immediately presents itself between two crystal clear glass plates, matted within an ornate style frame that projects the card’s overall vintage luster.
Of all the sets ever produced in our treasured hobby, most would agree that none compare with the prestigious 1909 – 1911 T206 issue. To reiterate, most collectors limit their pursuit for assembling this set to only 520 subjects, neglecting the remaining “Big Four” (Wagner, Plank and O’Hara/Magie errors). There are, however, a number of elite enthusiasts that are relentless in their pursuit of either obtaining all 524 cards, or unyielding in their quest for acquiring the hobby’s finest cardboard artifacts as detailed in the “Top 250 Sorts Card Hobby Guide”. The presented T206 Sherry “Magie” error card is not only a perfect candidate for filling both possible requirements, it also happens to have been previously owned by the hobby’s collecting icon Barry Halper, incredibly presented and worthy of a final resting place in the finest “World Class” collection!
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