In the realm of sports memorabilia, few items spark as much intrigue and excitement as the rare 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank baseball card. Currently being featured in the PWCC Marketplace’s December Premier Auction, this card is more than just a collector’s item; it’s a remarkable piece of baseball history that embodies the story of one of the early 20th century’s greatest pitchers, Eddie Plank.
Eddie Plank, also known as “Gettysburg Eddie,” hailed from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and established himself as one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers during the “Deadball Era” of baseball. From 1901 to 1917, Plank achieved an impressive 326 wins and maintained a career Earned Run Average (ERA) of 2.35 over 623 games. In his last season, he boasted a remarkable ERA of 1.79. Plank’s excellence extended to the World Series, where he contributed immensely to the Philadelphia Athletics, helping them secure three championships with his outstanding 1.32 ERA in 54 2/3 innings.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Plank was often overshadowed by his contemporaries such as Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. However, his talent on the mound was not lost on others, as evidenced by Babe Ruth’s 1926 letter, in which he praised Plank as one of the best pitchers the game had ever seen.
The T206 Eddie Plank card, produced between 1909 and 1911, serves as a testament to Plank’s enduring legacy. Indeed, it is considered the second-rarest tobacco card, surpassed only by the iconic T206 Honus Wagner. This rarity has given rise to numerous theories surrounding the card’s scarcity, including Plank’s rumored disapproval of cigarettes, a printing plate mishap during production, or simply a printing error.
The T206 Eddie Plank card currently up for auction at PWCC Marketplace holds particular significance due to its rarity. Graded SCG 1 PR, this card has already attracted a notable bid of $32,000. Remarkably, this card has appeared in public auctions only 11 times in recent years, underscoring its scarcity. Additionally, in terms of grading, there are only 39 cards graded by SGC and 21 by PSA, further amplifying its uniqueness.
The PWCC Marketplace’s premier auction also showcases other remarkable items, including the 1909-11 T206 Sherry Magie (Magee) PIEDMONT 150 error card. This card, which misspells Magie’s name, is graded PSA 2, highlighting the intriguing quirks that make card collecting such an exciting and captivating hobby.
Among the notable cards featured in the auction are a 1997 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Michael Jordan /50 card, graded BGS 9, and a 1982 NCAA Finals Ticket Stub autographed by Michael Jordan, representing a pivotal moment in basketball history. The auction also includes a 2015 Fleer Showcase Metal Universe Blue Connor McDavid ROOKIE /50 card, the only one graded PSA 10, and a 1998 Ultra Masterpieces Tim Duncan 1/1 #55P card, graded PSA 7.
The 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank card stands out not only for its rarity but also for its profound connection to a pivotal era in baseball history. It represents a time when legends were forged, and the sport was shaping its identity. For collectors and baseball enthusiasts alike, acquiring this card is more than owning a rare piece of memorabilia; it’s about possessing a fragment of the sport’s rich and storied past, a tangible piece of one of the great pitchers in baseball history.
