1909-1911 T206 Walter Johnson - Broad Leaf 460 Back - SGC EX 60 - Only Graded Example!

Sold For:

$65,175

Year:

1909

Auction:

2013 Fall

Lot #:

341

Category:

Prewar Baseball - T Tobacco Cards

Graded EX 60 by SGC. Incredible high-grade T206 hands-at-chest pose of Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson with the extremely rare Broad Leaf Cigarettes (460 Series) advertisement on the back. This is the ONLY example ever graded by either PSA or SGC and is easily one of the most extraordinary of all T206 front and rare advertising-back combinations in existence. Broad Leaf (460 Series) backs are striking, unusual, and extremely rare. Even a sample of a common player is one of the most difficult-to-find of all T206 advertising backs. Examples featuring key Hall of Famers are virtually impossible in any condition. An example of Walter Johnson, one of the premier Hall of Famers in the T206 set, with a Broad Leaf 460 back, and in extraordinary high grade, no less, is a tobacco-card collecting miracle! According to T206Resource.com, this back ranks as the fourth most difficult (of thirty-nine) advertising reverse. While Broad Leaf (460 Series) cards are by no means easy to find, the three backs ranking ahead on the list are considered by many to be nearly impossible (they are the Ty Cobb Tobacco brand back, Brown Old Mill, and Brown Lenox, respectively). Only thirty-five examples of any subject with the rare Broad Leaf (460 Series) reverse (in any condition) have ever been graded by SGC (PSA combines the Broad Leaf 350 and 460 Series on their Population Report, so while we cannot know for sure how many they've graded; it is certainly not many). This is an astounding card. It is also the first Broad Leaf 460 Walter Johnson that we have ever seen, let alone had the privilege of offering. This is a gorgeous card in all respects. The card has very strong eye-appeal, is perfectly clean both front and back, with no creases, extremely bold color, and only the slightest light hint of wear to the corners. Centered 20/80 left to right. The Broad Leaf print on the reverse is flawless and particularly bold. This is an exceptional ultra high-grade example of one of the rarest and most desirable T206 Hall of Famer front and rare advertising-back combinations in existence. Reserve $5,000. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $65,175