Wagner baseball card with Marin connection sells for over $5 million

"The T206 set was produced by the American Tobacco Company in 1909-11, and inserted in cigarette packs. Honus Wagner, the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop who is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time disliked that his image was being used to entice kids to try tobacco, and so asked that his card be withdrawn, leading to its scarcity, and legend."

"The card, encapsulated by the PSA grading service with a grade of 1 (out of 10), is one of approximately 55 known examples of the T206 Honus Wagner. This decade, two higher-graded T206 Honus Wagners have sold for more: $6.6 million, and $7.25 million."

"Everyone in the family was excited. My kids can't believe that a card can be worth that much. It's hard to explain to them why their Shohei Ohtani cards aren't worth anything near that. The family is gratified that the card will forever be known in the sports card hobby as the Shields Wagner."

A T206 Honus Wagner baseball card from the American Tobacco Company's 1909-11 cigarette pack series sold for $5.124 million at Goldin Auctions. The card, graded 1 out of 10 by PSA, is one of approximately 55 known examples. Honus Wagner, a Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop considered one of baseball's greatest players, requested his card be withdrawn from production because he opposed using his image to promote tobacco to children, creating its rarity and legendary status. The card was previously owned by brothers Dennis and Douglas Shields from the Los Angeles and Marin areas. Two higher-graded examples sold for $6.6 million and $7.25 million this decade. The family expressed satisfaction with the sale price and appreciation that the card will be known as the Shields Wagner in the sports card collecting community.

Read at www.mercurynews.com