I have long wondered what the T206 "Wagner" of soccer cards would be. I have tried to think about the components that "made" the Wagner. In the end I thought of the following:
1. Early superstar of the spot
2. Highly collected set
3. Some rarity story
Real, significant $ transactions that transcend supposed "value" for the card / player.
My proposal would be.... wait for it.... the
1913-14 Taddy & Co. Billy Meredith card.
For those of you who do not know this set. The first issue was done in 1907 and then a follow on in 1908. The 1913-14 (London Mixture) cards are significantly more scarce presumably due to World War One. You can learn more about it here:
https://taddyprominentfootballers.wordpress.com/
https://cartophilic-info-exch.blogsp...lers-1907.html
https://cartophilic-info-exch.blogsp...lers-1908.html
https://cartophilic-info-exch.blogsp...lers-1913.html
So why do I consider the Billy Meredith 1913-14 issue to the be most desired card in the set and probably most valuable pre-WWII soccer card?
1. The London Mixture cards are something of lore. We are still cataloging the Manchester United cards from the set (and many other sub sets). Most cards in the set have only a few known copies (whereas the 1907 and 1908 versions are much more available).
2. Meredith is the only English Football "HOFer" in the entire 1913-14 set
3. The first Meredith card surfaced only around 2002 from what I can tell in British catalogs, meaning that it was unknown until that point
4. While I have not been able to find the auction, I have heard that the card sold for roughly $16,000 in or around 2010 - huge money for any soccer card (until the recent rise in Pele rookies).
From all of the amazing pre-war cards, this card seems to fit the bill from my perspective, though I am willing to change my mind in case someone has a different proposal.
I have attached pictures of the catalogs to see the progression.
Looking forward to comments.