Honus Wagner Baseball Card Brings Record $2.8 Million

Shortstop Honus Wagner was referred to as "maybe the greatest star ever to take the diamond'' by Ty Cobb. Wagner's rare 1909 baseball card has again proven its greatness, selling for a record $2.8 million.

The almost mint-condition card, issued by the American Tobacco Company, had been sold by Brian Seigel of Las Vegas to an unidentified Southern California collector in February for a record $2.35 million. The current owner also wishes to remain anonymous, according to SCP Auctions of Mission Viejo, California, which conducted the sale.

Seigel paid a record $1.265 million when he bought the card in 2000. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall, former owner of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, had paid $451,000 for the card in 1991.

Only 50 to 60 of these T206 Wagner cards are believed to exist. One theory for its scarcity is Wagner, a non-smoker, may have wanted production halted since it was being sold as a marketing vehicle for tobacco products.

Wagner was one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He retired in 1917 with more hits, runs, runs batted in, doubles, triples and steals than any National League player.