"Jumbo" Wagner

Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:24 pm by sabrjay

I actually agree with Mastro on its assertation that a jumbo size card should carry a premium and be more desirable than a standard size card. I can around to this thinking back in the late 80s when jumbos were being scooped up to be trimmed down for resale to Copeland and others seeking high grade examples.

Part of the description interested me in that it attempts to rank the best Wagner's out there. I've been lucky enough to see several on the list. Here is that portion from the auction


The "Holy Grail" - An Explanation of Hierarchy
Following is a listing of prominent T206 Wagner examples, with grades and respective paths of provenance noted:
(Clearly) #1
- Mastro --> Copeland --> "Gretzky" --> Gidwitz/Lifson -->
Seigel --> Private Investor - PSA NM-MT 8 (the first graded by PSA);
(Clearly) #2
- Lipset --> Mastro --> Halper --> Baseball Hall of Fame (it's
now displayed at Cooperstown) - although not professionally graded, the
card would probably grade 6 to 6.5 (borderline Near Mint), and is
oversized;
#3 - Richard Gelman -->
Corey Shanus - not professionally graded, conservatively EX+, with
stronger corners than the confirmed EX examples;
#4, #5?, #6?
- these three specimens emerged from a non-collector (August Jacobs of
West Babylon, NY, now deceased) during the early 1970s - all were in
similar condition at EX or close to EX - within this group, sold by the
Jacobs family:
a) - Leland's --> Mastro -->
Scott Ireland - PSA EX 5 (by virtue of its "straight 5" grade, this
example is technically better than the "Jumbo")
b) - Mastro --> Dr. Robert Goode --> Mark Macrae - EX
c) - Larry Fritsch (now deceased) - EX
#5?, #6?, #7? - The "Jumbo" Wagner - PSA EX 5 (MC) - The
"Jumbo" is likely better than the Fritsch or Macrae copies (neither of
those are professionally graded) and is absolutely better than the
Burdick specimen.
#8 - Burdick example
- housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, since the
late 1950s - the card has an EX obverse, and is still adhered to an
album page (making the reverse naturally suspect).


I've had a chance to see Macrae's card. I'm working from a 20 year memory, but I'd say the Macrae Wagner is in better shape than the jumbo.


This jumbo card just screams for a custom SGC holder. You have to wonder what kind of damage has been done to the card to make it fit into the holder.


Jay

Comments: 4

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