This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
4/30/2009
The Incredible "St. Louis Find" of "Drum"-Backed T206 Cards!
This recent "find" of T206 baseball cards (along with several T205's presented elsewhere in this catalog) is unbelievably special and significant: all of the cards feature the elusive "Drum"-branded advertising on their backs! The significance of this discovery is substantial, and it represents an unprecedented assembly of these rarely seen treasures. These noteworthy cards represent a particular thrill for advanced collectors.
Doug Allen, President and CEO of Legendary Auctions, says he has never seen anything to compare with this find. "In over 20 years of collecting and selling, I’ve handled tens of thousands of T205 and T206 cards," Allen notes. "But this is the greatest quantity of 'Drum' backs that has ever been seen in one place."
As he was growing up, the consignor of the "Drum" cards knew that they were valuable items, he just didn’t know how valuable they were. And for a long time, it really didn’t matter. The consignor simply enjoyed collecting baseball cards—especially since he shared the hobby with his grandfather and treasured the time they spent together immersed in their pursuit.
When it came time to sell the cards, the consignor sent images to Legendary in order to get an idea of how much they were worth. After all, he knew they were pre-war cards, so he guessed that they had value. In total, there were 41 different T206s and eight different T205s—all featuring the "Drum" advertisement. "I was floored," says Allen. "When you consider that this find nearly tripled the amount of known 'Drum' T205s and dramatically enlarged the confirmed, existing total of 'Drum' T206s, the importance of this group becomes obvious."
Doug Allen wasn’t the only one who was floored! The consignor was stunned to learn that his collection was worth six figures. Most examples of the T205 and T206 issues found in sports collecting, of course, carry the more common reverse-side designs that advertise tobacco brands such as Piedmont and Sweet Caporal. Cards featuring "Drum" backs are few and very far between. In fact, the "St. Louis Find" items consitute the largest-ever cache of "Drum" T206s, and cards from the "Find" more than double the known population of "Drum" T205s.
Veteran collector and T206 scholar Ted Zanidakis has verified the presence of fifteen newly discovered T206 "Drum" subjects in the "St. Louis Find," and is excited to add this new information to the hobby's body of knowledge about the subject. Now, through the unique offerings seen on the following pages, bidders have the opportunity to enhance their own holdings, as well!
Graded VG 3 by PSA. Hall of Famer. Natural corner wear, with occasional spots of "attic dust." Very Good condition.