In the world of sports memorabilia, few items capture the attention and intrigue of collectors quite like the rare 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank baseball card. Currently featured in the PWCC Marketplace’s December Premier Auction, this card is not just a collector’s item; it is a piece of baseball lore, encapsulating the story of one of the early 20th century’s most formidable pitchers, Eddie Plank.
Eddie Plank, affectionately known as “Gettysburg Eddie,” hailed from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and established himself as one of the most effective left-handed pitchers during the era of baseball known as the “Deadball Era.” From 1901 to 1917, Plank recorded an impressive 326 wins and maintained a career ERA of 2.35 across 623 games. In his remarkable final season, he achieved a sterling 1.79 ERA. Plank’s excellence extended to the World Series, where he posted a remarkable 1.32 ERA in 54 2/3 innings, contributing significantly to the Philadelphia Athletics’ three championships.
Despite his outstanding achievements, Plank often found himself overshadowed by his contemporaries like Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. However, his remarkable talent on the mound did not go unnoticed. In fact, Babe Ruth himself, a fearsome pitcher before becoming a legendary slugger, praised Plank as one of the game’s finest pitchers in a 1926 letter.
The T206 Eddie Plank card, produced between 1909 and 1911, serves as a testament to Plank’s enduring legacy. Regarded as the second-rarest tobacco card after the T206 Honus Wagner, the Eddie Plank card is a highly coveted treasure in the realm of vintage baseball card collecting. Its scarcity has given rise to various theories, including Plank’s possible aversion to cigarettes, a broken printing plate during production, or simply a printing error.
The T206 Eddie Plank card currently up for auction at PWCC Marketplace, graded SCG 1 PR, is exceptionally rare and has already attracted a bid of $32,000. Its rarity is further emphasized by the fact that it has appeared in public auctions only 11 times in recent years. The card’s grading history is also noteworthy, with only 39 graded by SGC and 21 graded by PSA.
While the auction at PWCC Marketplace features the iconic T206 Eddie Plank card, it also showcases other remarkable baseball collectibles, including a 1909-11 T206 Sherry Magie (Magee) PIEDMONT 150 error card, which is infamous for misspelling Magee’s name. This particular card, graded PSA 2, exemplifies the quirky and intriguing aspects that make card collecting such an alluring hobby.
Among the other notable items up for 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, which represents an iconic moment in basketball history. Additionally, the auction features 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 allure of the 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank card extends beyond its rarity; it encapsulates a significant era in baseball history, where legends were forged and the sport was shaping its identity. Acquiring this card is not merely about owning a rare piece of memorabilia; it is about possessing a tangible fragment of the sport’s rich and storied past. For collectors and baseball enthusiasts, the T206 Eddie Plank card is a true gem, bringing history to life and allowing a glimpse into the remarkable legacy of one of the game’s finest pitchers.
