Trimmed PSA-8 T206 Honus Wagner

[flyingdutchdude]

Ive known the card was trimmed in the late 1980s for many years, but for those of you that follow vintage cards and may have thought the PSA-8 Wagner was not trimmed and just a rumor...

Here you go.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/iteam/2007/06/photos-prove-wagner-card-was-t.html

This is a black eye for PSA, one of many they get every year.

Now someone needs to do the right thing and reslab it as PSA-A (Authentic), or better yet SGC-A

Note on last sale.
http://www.scpauctions.com/wagner_press_release.htm

[AutographCollector]

What is the book value of the Honus Wagner card?

Also

Since the card was cut, shouldn't the value be much less?

[flyingdutchdude]

Yes, if the PSA-8 sells again IMO it will go for far less. probably 1/2 of what it just sold for. But thats just a guess, no one knows. Many have known of the trimming/cut from sheet story for a long time and it still keeps selling for higher prices each time, so you never know. It still is the best one, and some need to have the best.

There really is no book value on the card. A beat up one with rounded corners and multiple creases will sell for $150K to $250K now days (only a couple years ago the same beater would bring $50K). A nice clean example with average wear VG/EX will be close to a million now. But you never know for sure, if you get two guys fighting for one at auction anything goes.

If you want to see more, I have pictures of 22 different (of the estimated 60 in existence).

http://www.centuryoldcards.com/1909t206wagners.html

(the pictures range in quality, because the pics are anywhere from recent to over 35 years old, with all kinds of lighting and cameras/scanners).

[www.Honus-Wagner.org]

Hi AutographCollector,

The Gretzky PSA 8 was worth $50 in 1930, $25,000 in 1985 and most recently, $2.8 million in September of 2007 according to the Complete history of the Honus Wagner T206 (http://www.honus-wagner.org/2008/02/honus-wagner-t206-price-and-owner.html).

Nobody knows who the new owner is but hopefully he / she will emerge soon!

[Gary Dunaier]

Yes, if the PSA-8 sells again IMO it will go for far less. probably 1/2 of what it just sold for. But thats just a guess, no one knows. Many have known of the trimming/cut from sheet story for a long time and it still keeps selling for higher prices each time, so you never know. It still is the best one, and some need to have the best.
Even though it was trimmed, I think this specific card might keep its value, simply because of the provenance or pedigree behind it.

A good story, when it's true, can add a lot to the legend (and value) of a collectible.