A supremely rare 1913 Honus Wagner card, issued solely in the Pittsburgh area where the legendary shortstop carved out his storied career, is set to take center stage in an upcoming sports memorabilia auction.
Clean Sweep Auctions has announced that its September auction will feature the elusive 1913 Voskamp’s Coffee Honus Wagner card. Originally distributed in packages of coffee and tea by Voskamp’s Coffee—a local Pittsburgh company—the cards from this set have become exceedingly scarce over the past century. The Wagner card being offered was recently graded and encapsulated at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago, marking only the third time a Voskamp’s Wagner has been graded by PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator). SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation) has graded just four examples to date.
This event marks the first time since 2017 that a Voskamp’s Wagner card has appeared in a public auction, presenting a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the most sought-after pieces in the hobby.
The auction boasts an impressive array of vintage baseball cards and memorabilia, including:
Two 1887 N172 Old Judge cards featuring Hall of Famers Mike “King” Kelly and Harry Wright.
An E102 Ty Cobb graded PSA 2 (mk), showcasing the early career of one of baseball’s greatest hitters.
A T206 Ty Cobb with a green background graded PSA 1.5, and another Ty Cobb (bat on shoulder) graded PSA 4.
A Cy Young Portrait card graded PSA 5, highlighting the legendary pitcher’s iconic image.
Collectors will also find a selection of pre-war treasures:
A lot of P2 Sweet Caporal pins, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century baseball collectibles.
An E103 Williams Caramel Ty Cobb, adding to the roster of rare Ty Cobb items.
An E101 Honus Wagner graded PSA 3.
A T3 Turkey Red Ty Cobb graded PSA 1.
Collector-grade 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards, capturing the Sultan of Swat in his prime.
A 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio graded SGC 5.
Other significant offerings include a nearly complete 1947-66 Exhibit set missing only four cards, a scarce 1954 Wilson Franks Ted Williams graded PSA 1, and a high-grade 1955 Topps baseball complete set featuring a BVG 7 Roberto Clemente rookie card.
A standout feature of the auction is a nearly complete autographed 1952 Bowman Baseball set. Individual autographed cards of Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays are being offered separately, while the remaining cards are available as a single lot. The set is missing just three cards, making it an exceptional find for autograph collectors.
Basketball aficionados will be interested in a PSA 6 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan and a PSA 8 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan, two iconic cards representing the early days of Jordan’s legendary career. Football collectors can look forward to several pristine sets and a series of high-grade Bart Starr cards spanning from his 1957 rookie card to his final 1971 Topps issue.
The auction’s memorabilia section is equally compelling, featuring:
A Walter Johnson single-signed baseball, a rare artifact from one of baseball’s greatest pitchers.
A 1933 New York Yankees team-signed baseball that includes signatures from Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and seven other Hall of Famers, encapsulating a golden era of baseball history.
A signed Roger Maris rookie card, a prized item for fans of the former single-season home run record holder.
Additional unique items include:
1914 Joe Tinker and 1920 Brooklyn Dodgers pennants, offering nostalgic mementos from early baseball history.
Tickets and programs dating back to 1905, providing historical context and memorabilia from bygone games.
A selection of boxing cards and memorabilia, appealing to collectors of the sweet science.
Historic presidential autographs, adding a dimension of American history to the auction.
Entertainment autographs, broadening the appeal to collectors of various interests.
“This auction presents perhaps the most eclectic mix of items we’ve ever assembled,” remarked Steve Verkman of Clean Sweep Auctions. “From ultra-rare vintage cards to significant memorabilia, there’s something that will resonate with every type of collector.”
Clean Sweep Auctions’ September event promises to be a landmark occasion for collectors seeking both rarity and diversity. The inclusion of the 1913 Voskamp’s Coffee Honus Wagner card not only underscores the auction’s significance but also celebrates the rich tapestry of sports history preserved through these timeless collectibles.
