THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407310225
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN L. BIGELOW, SPECIAL TO THE VP/LS
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Modern baseball cards collectors look at the collectibles of the 1980's and 1990's to enjoy the game and its players as they are in the present. They view the items from the 1930's to the 1970's as `nostalgia': this category also enjoys wide popularity. Material prior to 1933 is thought of as ``vintage'' or ``historical'', and doesn't seem to receive very much attention or exposure. Some of the hobby's treasures, however, are products of the concept's early years.
The classic ``T-206'' cards were issued with cigarettes between 1909-1911. There were more than 500 cards in the set, so it was a tremendous project to assemble when issued. The set is noteworthy because it contains the hobby's most valuable card, the famous Honus Wagner.
Today, T-206's, and other tobacco cards, are relatively scarce. Many hobbyists, who are intrigued by the older cards, concentrate on obtaining examples of them that apply to teams from the collector's home region. The Tidewater area was represented by four Virginia league players: Otey and Seitz from Norfolk, and McCauley and Guiheen from Portsmouth.
It's much easier, and probably more gratifying, to collect cards of the current Norfolk Tides. It is also interesting to see, though, that collecting cards of the local favorites isn't entirely a new or modern idea.
Honus Wagner T-206: (heavily influenced by the condition of card) documented sales range from $20,000-$450,000.
T-206 common player: $20-$150 each. (again, condition is a weight factor) MEMO: Brian L. Bigelow is store manager and appraiser for Candl Coins &
Stamps, located on Independence Blvd. and North (Lynnhaven) Mall Drive
in Virginia Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``Vintage'' cards such as this one were introduced in cigarette
packs.
by CNB