Interesting story regarding the T-206 Wagner

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Posted By: Jon Canfield

Last night I was reading a little of Lew's Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards and read an interesting story I had never heard before... Thought others on the board may find it interesting and maybe some of the hobby veterans can fill in some more details as the story in Lew's book was short.

It seems as though in the 1970's, a Piedmont backed T-206 surfaced that depicted Wagner in a batting pose. I guess it caused quite a stir and was thought to be a variation of the infamous Wagner until it was discovered that the card was actually an E95 front with a Piedmont back attached (and hence doctored). Does anyone remember this happening or able to provide more details?

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Posted By: Matt

<sarcasm> Certainly no one doctored cards back in the 70s!! </sarcasm>

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Posted By: leon

Absolutely have read that story before with all of the details. I think, but am not sure, that Lew wrote about that in his old periodical/newsletter, The Old Judge......was interesting reading....btw, if anyone ever wants to read some good stuff on the hobby and cards, that series by Lipset, "The Old Judge" is really good..Not sure where they can be found anymore though.....regards

edited typo's

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Posted By: Steve Dawson

I remember reading about that in SCD and/or the old Baseball Hobby News back at the time (it was around 1978-79 I think). I don't remember the parties involved, but if I'm remembering correctly, it did take a little while before it was determined to have been a rebacked forgery...apparently, it was a very good alteration for the day. It seemed the hobby was all atwitter over it at first!


Steve

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Posted By: Wesley

I have read this story and apparently this was a convincing reback. In order to put it to the test, the owner agreed to soak the card in water. When he did this the E95 front and the Piedmont back came right apart.

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Posted By: dennis

i think the scam got attention then because the t206 wagner and t206's in general were very popular and e cards were not popular at all. i think it may have even been in the early 80's (83?)

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Posted By: Rich Klein

It was like a blow by blow until it was put in the water. IIRC, Dick Reuss was one of the people who owned the Wagner and because of his fame in the hobby at the time, it was a huge story.

Regards
Rich

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Posted By: Corey R. Shanus

What I remember is being at a card show in NYC in the early to mid 70's and hearing about a T206 Wagner batting pose (that purportedly was at the show). I remember going around the room trying to find it (which I didn't) and in the process asking anybody I came into contact with what they knew about the card. Bottom line -- the clear consensus at the show was that the card was a fraud (i.e., rebacked) and not to worry about not getting a chance to see it.