Posted By:
peter chaoJim,
Brian Segal held on to the card for 7 years, I'm sure that if he didn't know it's checkered history before he bought it he surely knew by the time he sold it. Also, I understand that SCP Auctions was a minority partner in the purchase so I assume they also know of the checkered history. If they didn't they shouldn't be in business.
However, in a warped way, controversy actually helps the price of this card. It all started with the controversy of whether Honus Wagner stopped the presses because he didn't like the idea of kids learning how to smoke...others said that Wagner simply wasn't paid for the photo so he wanted it pulled.
At any rate, controversy creates a hobby buzz and that apparently translates into higher prices.
Peter