1909-1911 T206 White Border Walter Johnson Hands at Chest - Broad Leaf 460 Back PSA FAIR 1.5 - Newly Discovered!

Sold For:

$138,000

Year:

1909

Auction:

2023 Summer

Lot #:

301

Category:

Prewar Baseball - T Tobacco Cards

Presented is one of the most incredible and improbable cards we've ever had the privilege of offering: a newly discovered Walter Johnson (hands-at-chest pose) example from the T206 White Border series featuring an extremely rare Broad Leaf 460 advertising back. This is only the third documented example of this card, easily one of the most extraordinary of all T206 front/back combinations in existence. Broad Leaf 460 backs are striking, unusual, and extremely rare. Even a card of a common player is one of the most difficult to find of all T206 advertising backs. Examples featuring Hall of Famers are incredibly rare in any condition. According to T206Resource.com, this back ranks as the fourth most difficult advertising reverse (of thirty nine). Though Broad Leaf 460 cards are by no means easy to find, the three backs ranking ahead on the list are considered to be at an altogether lofty level of difficult (they are the Ty Cobb Tobacco brand back, Brown Old Mill, and Brown Lenox, respectively). This card comes to us from an unlikely consignor -- one far removed from the baseball-card hobby. Based in upstate New York, our consignor inherited this card and a handful of other tobacco cards from her grandfather. Excited by the prospect of what could be after she sent us photos, we encouraged her to get the Johnson and all the other cards to us for review. Once they were all in hand, it was obvious that what she had was very special. After a thorough inspection in our office by all card experts on staff, the card was sent to PSA for professional authentication. Both the other Broad Leaf 460 Walter Johnson cards rest inside PSA holders, and we are pleased to report that now there are three PSA-graded examples of this tremendous front/back combination. Despite the modest technical grade, this card has very strong eye appeal. Graded FAIR 1.5 by PSA (submitted by REA), the card is bright and crisp with rounded corners and centering toward the left. The Broad Lead print on the reverse is exceptionally bold. Surface wear along the front and a few light creases contribute to the assigned grade. This is a superb example of one of the rarest and most desirable T206 Hall of Famer front and rare advertising-back combinations in existence. Opening Bid $10,000.