A supremely rare gem of baseball card collecting is about to cause a stir in the sports memorabilia world. The rare 1913 Honus Wagner card, specifically the Voskamp’s Coffee edition, is set to steal the spotlight at an upcoming Clean Sweep Auctions event. This elusive card, originally distributed by a local Pittsburgh coffee company, has become a scarce and sought-after piece over the years.
Clean Sweep Auctions has proudly announced that their September auction will showcase the highly coveted 1913 Voskamp’s Coffee Honus Wagner card. Produced solely for distribution in the Pittsburgh area where the legendary shortstop made his mark, these cards have become increasingly rare as time has passed. The Wagner card up for grabs has recently undergone grading and encapsulation at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago. This marks only the third instance of a Voskamp’s Wagner card being graded by PSA, while SGC has graded just four examples thus far.
Enthusiasts and collectors alike will be thrilled to learn that this auction marks the first time since 2017 that a Voskamp’s Wagner card has surfaced in a public auction. This presents a unique and exceptional opportunity for individuals to potentially add one of the most coveted pieces in the hobby to their collection.
Apart from the spotlight on the rare Wagner card, the auction will offer a plethora of other noteworthy items. Vintage baseball cards and memorabilia are abundant in this event, with highlights including two 1887 N172 Old Judge cards featuring Hall of Famers King Kelly and Harry Wright, an E102 Ty Cobb graded PSA 2 (mk), various Ty Cobb cards including a T206 with a green background graded PSA 1.5, and a Cy Young Portrait card graded PSA 5.
For fans of pre-war collectibles, the auction will feature treasures such as a lot of P2 Sweet Caporal pins, an E103 Williams Caramel Ty Cobb, an E101 Honus Wagner graded PSA 3, a T3 Turkey Red Ty Cobb graded PSA 1, and collector-grade 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards among others. The offerings also extend to a scarce 1954 Wilson Franks Ted Williams graded PSA 1, a high-grade 1955 Topps baseball complete set with a BVG 7 Roberto Clemente rookie card, and a 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio graded SGC 5.
A standout feature of the auction is a nearly complete autographed 1952 Bowman Baseball set, along with individual autographed cards of Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays available separately. Basketball enthusiasts can look forward to a PSA 6 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan and a PSA 8 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan, while football collectors can enjoy pristine sets and high-grade Bart Starr cards spanning from his 1957 rookie card to his 1971 Topps issue.
The memorabilia section of the auction is equally captivating, with items like a Walter Johnson single-signed baseball, a 1933 New York Yankees team-signed baseball with signatures from Ruth and Gehrig, a signed Roger Maris rookie card, and unique pieces such as Joe Tinker and Brooklyn Dodgers pennants, vintage tickets and programs, boxing memorabilia, historic presidential autographs, and entertainment autographs.
Steve Verkman of Clean Sweep Auctions summed it up perfectly, stating, “This auction presents perhaps the most eclectic mix of items we’ve ever assembled.” With its blend of rare vintage cards, significant memorabilia, and unique collectibles, this event promises to cater to collectors of all interests, adding vibrancy to the rich tapestry of sports history and beyond.
