A highly anticipated sports memorabilia auction is on the horizon, and at its heart lies a truly rare gem – the 1913 Voskamp’s Coffee Honus Wagner card. This historical card, originally found exclusively in Pittsburgh, where the legendary shortstop Honus Wagner made his mark, is the star attraction of Clean Sweep Auctions’ upcoming event.
Clean Sweep Auctions has revealed that their September auction will showcase this elusive 1913 Wagner card, a prized possession distributed in packs of coffee and tea by Voskamp’s Coffee, a prominent Pittsburgh company at the time. Over the years, these cards have become exceptionally hard to come by, making this particular Wagner card a highly sought-after piece. Recently graded and encapsulated at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago, this Wagner card has only been graded by PSA three times, with SGC grading just four examples to date.
The appearance of a Voskamp’s Wagner card in a public auction is a rare occurrence, with the last one being in 2017. This creates a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire a piece of sports history that holds significant value in the hobby.
Beyond the spotlight on the Honus Wagner card, the auction promises an assortment of remarkable vintage baseball cards and memorabilia. Some highlights include two 1887 N172 Old Judge cards featuring Hall of Famers Mike “King” Kelly and Harry Wright, an E102 Ty Cobb graded PSA 2 (mk), a T206 Ty Cobb graded PSA 1.5, a Cy Young Portrait card graded PSA 5, and more.
Enthusiasts of pre-war collectibles can also anticipate treasures such as P2 Sweet Caporal pins, an E103 Williams Caramel Ty Cobb, and a variety of Ty Cobb items, including an E101 Honus Wagner graded PSA 3 and a T3 Turkey Red Ty Cobb graded PSA 1. The auction further credits collector-grade 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards and a 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio graded SGC 5 among its offerings.
For autograph aficionados, an almost complete autographed 1952 Bowman Baseball set will be a standout feature, with individual autographed cards of Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays available. Basketball enthusiasts can look forward to iconic cards like the PSA 6 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan and the PSA 8 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan, while football collectors will find pristine sets and high-grade Bart Starr cards.
The memorabilia section of the auction showcases standout pieces such as a Walter Johnson single-signed baseball, a 1933 New York Yankees team-signed baseball with signatures from legendary players like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and a signed Roger Maris rookie card. Unique items like Joe Tinker and Brooklyn Dodgers pennants, vintage tickets and programs, boxing collectibles, historic presidential autographs, and entertainment memorabilia add further depth and intrigue to the auction lineup.
Steve Verkman of Clean Sweep Auctions expressed excitement about the eclectic mix of items featured in the upcoming auction, noting that there will be something to captivate every collector. With its diverse array of rare cards, significant memorabilia, and unique collectibles, Clean Sweep Auctions’ September event is poised to cater to a wide range of sports history enthusiasts, reflecting the enduring allure of these timeless pieces.