card collectors company, and T206 Wagner

[benjulmag]

In the early to mid-'70s, Wagners were regarded as $1,500 cards. Condition then was much less of a factor than it is today, and from the perspective of one who was looking to acquire to acquire a Wagner at that price, I would have been happy with a vg card (by 1970's vg standards). By the mid-'80s, when I finally acquired a Wagner, I paid $25,500 for one (ungraded but most likely a solid 5 by today's standards). At the time, to my knowledge, it was the highest price ever paid for a baseball card. Another top Wagner, the former Halper example that is now at the HOF, was on the market for $27,500. It had been auctioned by Lew Lipset in the '80's (1982 as I recall), for a tad over 25k. As the '80's wore on offering prices for high end (vg-ex and better) Wagners were moving steadily up, but still in 5 figures. It was not until the watershed Copeland sale at Sotheby's when the "8" (raw at the time) sold did the prices for Wagners explode. What is interesting is that even then the rumors were rampant that "the card" was trimmed.

[Bilko G]

Wow Corey, so at one time you had paid the most ever for a Baseball card?!?! Thats is one amazing thing and definitely something to be proud of, amazing!!!

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by Bilko G

Wow Corey, so at one time you had paid the most ever for a Baseball card?!?! Thats is one amazing thing and definitely something to be proud of, amazing!!!

What is amazing about it and the only reason I mentioned it was to illustrate how much cards have appreciated over the years. Today a person can easily spend 25k for a condition rarity Topps or Bowman (non-Mantle) card.

[Bilko G]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

What is amazing about it and the reason I mentioned it was to illustrate how much cards have appreciated over the years. Today a person can easily spend 25k for a condition rarity Topps or Bowman (non-Mantle) card.

or for a brand new superfractor of the latest and greatest prospect

[g_vezina_c55]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

In the early to mid-'70s, Wagners were regarded as $1,500 cards. Condition then was much less of a factor than it is today, and from the perspective of one who was looking to acquire to acquire a Wagner at that price, I would have been happy with a vg card (by 1970's vg standards). By the mid-'80s, when I finally acquired a Wagner, I paid $25,500 for one (ungraded but most likely a solid 5 by today's standards). At the time, to my knowledge, it was the highest price ever paid for a baseball card. Another top Wagner, the former Halper example that is now at the HOF, was on the market for $27,500. It had been auctioned by Lew Lipset in the '80's (1982 as I recall), for a tad over 25k. As the '80's wore on offering prices for high end (vg-ex and better) Wagners were moving steadily up, but still in 5 figures. It was not until the watershed Copeland sale at Sotheby's when the "8" (raw at the time) sold did the prices for Wagners explode. What is interesting is that even then the rumors were rampant that "the card" was trimmed.

Your answer is verry nice to read thx to share your experience.

Do you still have your wagner?

[benjulmag]

Thanks for the response. Yes, I still have my Wagner.

[g_vezina_c55]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

Thanks for the response. Yes, I still have my Wagner.

Wow amazing. Thx for share your story.

owning a wagner will only be a dream in my life. the most valuable card i will ever own
in my life is and will be my t206 plank.

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by g_vezina_c55

...the most valuable card i will ever own
in my life is and will be my t206 plank.

Congrats on that, a card that would be on anybody's short list of great cards to own!

[g_vezina_c55]

yep
it is not many people who will own a t206 plank in her life.

thx for the comment.

[zljones]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

In the early to mid-'70s, Wagners were regarded as $1,500 cards. Condition then was much less of a factor than it is today, and from the perspective of one who was looking to acquire to acquire a Wagner at that price, I would have been happy with a vg card (by 1970's vg standards). By the mid-'80s, when I finally acquired a Wagner, I paid $25,500 for one (ungraded but most likely a solid 5 by today's standards). At the time, to my knowledge, it was the highest price ever paid for a baseball card. Another top Wagner, the former Halper example that is now at the HOF, was on the market for $27,500. It had been auctioned by Lew Lipset in the '80's (1982 as I recall), for a tad over 25k. As the '80's wore on offering prices for high end (vg-ex and better) Wagners were moving steadily up, but still in 5 figures. It was not until the watershed Copeland sale at Sotheby's when the "8" (raw at the time) sold did the prices for Wagners explode. What is interesting is that even then the rumors were rampant that "the card" was trimmed.

I heard that back in 1972 there was a convention and a college student supposdly paid $1,500 for a Wagner. That was believed to be the story until years later it was said that someone made up that story and there was no college student that paid $1,500. I have come accross articles from 1973-1975 that say it was worth $1,000-$1,500. I also wonder about the late 60s.