In the world of sports memorabilia, few items hold as much allure and intrigue as the rare 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank baseball card. Featured in the December Premier Auction of the PWCC Marketplace, this card is not just a collector’s item, but also a tangible piece of baseball lore that embodies the story of one of the greatest pitchers of the early 20th century – Eddie Plank.
Hailing from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Eddie Plank, affectionately known as “Gettysburg Eddie,” made a name for himself as one of the most effective left-handed pitchers during baseball’s “Deadball Era.” His remarkable career spanned from 1901 to 1917, where he garnered an impressive 326 wins and maintained a career ERA of 2.35 across 623 games. In his final season, Plank achieved a sterling 1.79 ERA. Notably, Plank also excelled in the World Series, with a formidable 1.32 ERA over 54 2/3 innings, contributing to the Philadelphia Athletics’ triumphant securing of three championships.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Plank often found himself overshadowed by his contemporaries such as Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. However, his pitching excellence was not lost on all, as evidenced by Babe Ruth’s 1926 letter where Ruth, a formidable pitcher before his legendary slugger days, extolled Plank as one of the game’s greatest pitchers.
The T206 Eddie Plank card, produced between 1909 and 1911, serves as a testament to Plank’s enduring legacy. Considered the second-rarest tobacco card after the T206 Honus Wagner, it is a highly coveted gem in the world of vintage baseball card collection. The card’s scarcity has resulted in various theories, including Plank’s possible aversion to cigarettes, a broken printing plate during production, or a simple error.
The current T206 Eddie Plank card up for auction at PWCC Marketplace holds a grade of SCG 1 PR, making it particularly rare and attracting a bid of $32,000. Its scarcity is underscored by the fact that it has only appeared in public auctions 11 times in recent years. The card’s grading history is equally notable, with only 39 graded by SGC and 21 by PSA.
The PWCC Marketplace auction doesn’t solely revolve around the T206 Eddie Plank card. Other unique items include a 1909-11 T206 Sherry Magie (Magee) PIEDMONT 150 error card, recognized for misspelling Magee’s name. Graded PSA 2, this card highlights the quirky nature of card collecting that adds to its allure.
Noteworthy cards in the auction further extend beyond baseball to encompass a 1997 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Michael Jordan card, graded BGS 9, and a 1982 NCAA Finals Ticket Stub autographed by Michael Jordan, representing a pivotal moment in basketball history. Additionally, the auction features a 2015 Fleer Showcase Metal Universe Blue Connor McDavid ROOKIE card graded PSA 10, the only one of its kind, and a 1998 Ultra Masterpieces Tim Duncan 1/1 #55P card graded PSA 7.
The 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank card is distinguished not only by its rarity, but also by its 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 far more than just owning a rare piece of memorabilia; it’s about possessing a fragment of the sport’s rich and storied past.
