April 5th Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/6/2013
We are honored to be able to present in the same auction as the T206 Honus Wagner perhaps the finest Official N.L. baseball (Frick) signed on the sweet spot by the legendary Wagner. One of the original five Hall of Fame inductees in 1936, The Flying Dutchman had one of the most legendary baseball careers of all time, and to this day is universally regarded as the greatest shortstop of all time. Wagner started his career in the 19th century with the Louisville Colonels, but of course is remembered for his eight batting championships and World Series championship with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The baseball is an official National League ball and signed incredibly boldly on the sweet spot by Wagner. The signature is a dark fountain pen and is true and bold (rating a Nr mint 7 from PSA/DNA). The baseball has a hint of toning and has been rated a 5 by PSA/DNA for an overall ball grade of 6.5 with 1/2 point added for eye appeal. When you compare a single signed baseball by Wagner to Babe Ruth, for example, it is very likely that there are 100 single signed Ruth balls to every 1 Wagner...in fact that estimate may be exceedingly low and closer to 500-1. You must also note that of the few Wagner single signed balls you will see, the majority are on non official balls, or signed on the side panel, as he did not often sign on the sweet spot. From speaking to PSA, it is our belief this may be the highest graded single signed, sweet spot, National League Honus Wagner ball ever graded.
This ball originates from the collection of former Boston Brave Earl Torgeson. It comes with a letter of authenticity written by Torgeson on August 24th 1990, just 3 months before he died. It explains how he obtained the baseball when he approached the then Pirates coach Wagner while he was a player and had the ball signed. His reverence towards Wagner is evident in the letter, and certainly why he kept the ball in pristine condition for 35 years till his death. This is your chance to own perhaps the finest single signed Honus Wagner N.L. ball in existence. Comes with full LOA from PSA/DNA. Comes with LOA from Earl Torgeson as well as the receipt that came along with ball when sold 23 years ago by Torgeson.