1911 E94 George Close Candy Honus Wagner "Blome's Chocolates" Overprint SGC FAIR 20

Sold For:

$11,700

Year:

1911

Auction:

2024 February

Lot #:

31

Category:

Prewar Baseball - E Candy Cards

Graded FAIR 20 by SGC. Presented is a "Blome's Chocolates" E94 George Close Candy overprint, one of card collecting's most unusual and rare 1910-era sample cards. This example is particularly extraordinary as it features Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Honus Wagner. "Overprinting" is a term commonly used to refer to the rare practice of a company taking cards already issued by another manufacturer and adding advertising, in the form of printing or an ink stamp, to allow the cards to function as its own advertising vehicle at a modest cost. In this case, the overprint on this E94 Wagner advertises for "Blome’s Chocolates." All E94 overprints are very rare. The overprint on the "Blome’s Chocolates" Wagner is an attractive and very boldly printed red. "Blome’s Chocolates" may not have been able to afford to put out its own set of cards, or simply chose not to do so. Since E94s have no advertising on the reverse (just a checklist) "Blome’s Chocolates" added its own advertising to the backs of these already printed cards. Judging by how few have survived, we assume that this practice was not very successful. The card has a bold green background, a crisp image, rounded corners, and several creases. This is a very attractive low-grade Honus Wagner example of one of card collecting's most unusual 1910-era sample cards. Opening Bid $10.