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PSA 9 1935 National Chicle Nagurski (aka Honus Wagner of Football Cards) Article
EOMINT
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Holy Grail of Football Cards Commands Record Price
Posted by Editor on 1/20/11 • Categorized as Vintage Sports Card News
The most iconic football card in the hobby has set a new sales record.
The only PSA 9 1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski has been sold for $350,000 recently in a private transaction brokered by Memory Lane Inc.
The card had been the centerpiece of a collector’s number one all-time finest Hall of Fame rookie cards set listed on PSA’s Set Registry. It was recently purchased by another collector on the east coast who has chosen to remain anonymous.
The 1935 National Chicle Nagurski is the most valuable football card and was ranked 17th on the list of the hobby’s most important sports cards compiled for publication in Collecting Sports Legends, a coffee table book chronicling the most important sports cards and memorabilia.
It is a difficult card to locate in any condition because it is part of the scarce high number series in a set that is rare in and of itself. Pro football was barely a blip on the radar screen of most sports fans in the 1930s and not many were printed or sold. Nagurski represents the hard-nosed, leather helmet play of the era and his hard charging image on the front of the card is instantly recognizable.
PSA has never graded a 1935 National Chicle Nagurski in a ‘10’ and no PSA 9 Nagurski cards have emerged since, keeping the recently sold example as a one-of-a-kind vintage football card with no peer in PSA annals.
“This is a landmark sale and it was exciting to be a part of it,” said Memory Lane’s J.P. Cohen. “It shows that the high end vintage card market is not just thriving for baseball cards but for all scarce, high-grade cards from other sports as well. The demand for 1-of-1 cards like this is greater than ever and some feel that a private transaction is the best way to acquire the tough cards they need.”
The sale of the Nagurski card is a prelude to Memory Lane’s Second Annual Big Game Auction, a football-only event that begins January 21 and concludes February 5, the day before Super Bowl XLV.
The Nagurski card represents the latest high dollar transaction handled by Memory Lane. The company has also helped other iconic cards and memorabilia change hands including: T206 Honus Wagner ($925,000), 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA 10 ($600,000), 1956 Topps Baseball #1 All-Time Finest set ($550,000), 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 9 ($375,000), 1927 New York Yankees team signed photo ($350,000, 1954 Topps Hank Aaron Rookie Card PSA 10 ($250,000) and a 1948 Bowman George Mikan Rookie Card PSA 10 ($218,550).
Posted by Editor on 1/20/11 • Categorized as Vintage Sports Card News
The most iconic football card in the hobby has set a new sales record.
The only PSA 9 1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski has been sold for $350,000 recently in a private transaction brokered by Memory Lane Inc.
The card had been the centerpiece of a collector’s number one all-time finest Hall of Fame rookie cards set listed on PSA’s Set Registry. It was recently purchased by another collector on the east coast who has chosen to remain anonymous.
The 1935 National Chicle Nagurski is the most valuable football card and was ranked 17th on the list of the hobby’s most important sports cards compiled for publication in Collecting Sports Legends, a coffee table book chronicling the most important sports cards and memorabilia.
It is a difficult card to locate in any condition because it is part of the scarce high number series in a set that is rare in and of itself. Pro football was barely a blip on the radar screen of most sports fans in the 1930s and not many were printed or sold. Nagurski represents the hard-nosed, leather helmet play of the era and his hard charging image on the front of the card is instantly recognizable.
PSA has never graded a 1935 National Chicle Nagurski in a ‘10’ and no PSA 9 Nagurski cards have emerged since, keeping the recently sold example as a one-of-a-kind vintage football card with no peer in PSA annals.
“This is a landmark sale and it was exciting to be a part of it,” said Memory Lane’s J.P. Cohen. “It shows that the high end vintage card market is not just thriving for baseball cards but for all scarce, high-grade cards from other sports as well. The demand for 1-of-1 cards like this is greater than ever and some feel that a private transaction is the best way to acquire the tough cards they need.”
The sale of the Nagurski card is a prelude to Memory Lane’s Second Annual Big Game Auction, a football-only event that begins January 21 and concludes February 5, the day before Super Bowl XLV.
The Nagurski card represents the latest high dollar transaction handled by Memory Lane. The company has also helped other iconic cards and memorabilia change hands including: T206 Honus Wagner ($925,000), 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA 10 ($600,000), 1956 Topps Baseball #1 All-Time Finest set ($550,000), 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 9 ($375,000), 1927 New York Yankees team signed photo ($350,000, 1954 Topps Hank Aaron Rookie Card PSA 10 ($250,000) and a 1948 Bowman George Mikan Rookie Card PSA 10 ($218,550).
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Comments
<< <i>Well, I remember when the Wagner PSA 8 was $400K and everyone thought that was nuts...football is quickly making a run to rival baseball as the "Great American Pastime". In that respect, the Nagurski would seem to have the potential for a lot of upward appreciation in price, even from what seems to most to be a lofty level for a piece of cardboard. What are others views here? Gorgeous card no doubt, but good investment looking back in 10 years or not? Good topic for discussion. >>
Since the card sells for $10K+ in EX/MT graded condition, and multiples of that in Near Mint and NM/MT, this card has emerged as being popular, rare, and a condition rarity. I was really expecting to write a response that it was hard to imagine significant appreciation of this card in the future. But given the factors stated, I think it is a decent buy for that price. I'm not sure if there is necessarily someone in the wings waiting to pay $500K for the card -- but if crazy money enters the FB card hobby, this is the card that will be wanted.
My opinion of that card? I've seen two 8's that look better (one of which is infinitely better)............talk about "buying the grade"................I think if the 9 was cracked out and re-subbed, it would be lucky to get an 8!
Also, I feel the rarity of the card is not overwhelmingly significant, compared to monster 1/1's like the Wagner 8. The chances of there being another Wagner 8 (or higher) are virtually zero. The chances of there being another Nagurski 9 (or higher) are not that high, but they are much, much greater than the Wagner.
Personally, I think $350,000K in this market is a great deal for the seller, and not such a great deal for the buyer.
Nice 55 AAs btw, some real nice cards you have posted in high grade, outside of the 35 Chicle and 33 Sport Kings cards in high grade, those are some of the cooler football cards I've seen.
<< <i>
My opinion of that card? I've seen two 8's that look better (one of which is infinitely better)............talk about "buying the grade"................I think if the 9 was cracked out and re-subbed, it would be lucky to get an 8!
. >>
It was in an SGC 96 holder too, are you saying the two biggest grading companies out there missed something that you have managed to pick up in the scan? Granted, its not the nicest centered Nag Ive ever seen, but you have to respect the fact that its not just PSA's eyes that have been on it.
Stick to your 55's Mac, you're out of your league.
<< <i>The quote is related to personal experiences I had with the previous owner.
My opinion of that card? I've seen two 8's that look better (one of which is infinitely better)............talk about "buying the grade"................I think if the 9 was cracked out and re-subbed, it would be lucky to get an 8!
Also, I feel the rarity of the card is not overwhelmingly significant, compared to monster 1/1's like the Wagner 8. The chances of there being another Wagner 8 (or higher) are virtually zero. The chances of there being another Nagurski 9 (or higher) are not that high, but they are much, much greater than the Wagner.
Personally, I think $350,000K in this market is a great deal for the seller, and not such a great deal for the buyer. >>
Sounds like someone got outbid by the "previous owner" and now has sour grapes...Or he wasn't interested in paying your exorbitant prices for your 55's...
Publius said it best "Stick to your 55's Mac, you're out of your league."
I wonder if you would be singing the same tune if this was a card that came from your 55 All-American box??? The ones that were pimped relentlessly on these message boards. Those rose colored glasses never work very well...
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
<< <i> Stick to your 55's Mac, you're out of your league. >>
dave
FINISHED 12/8/2008!!!
<< <i>Stick to your 55's Mac, you're out of your league. >>
Snorto~
I would assume then that buyer confidence in these two companies is also higher when dealing with vintage cards.
The holly grail of cards is a showcase and deserving of the holly grail of companies grading it. Due to the importance of the card I would bet that many opinions were sought
and it didn't leave the house until J. O. put his stamp on it. Would you want future viewers of the most important card your company has ever graded saying, "thats an overgraded 8?"
Is that the impression you want? I don't think so!!!!!!
Does PSA & SGC get it wrong sometimes...absolutely. Nothing is perfect in this world. Especially when we are dealing with objectivity of the graders and collector alike.
I would bet the odds in this case are 350,000:1 PSA got it right.
If I had the means I would be all over this card at that price. My comments and this thread really mean nothing as there was a buyer who didn't question the grade of 9.
In a realistic economy something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Since this card was bundled with other very high end museum pieces I would be willing to bet
the buyer knew what they were doing.
Kudos to the seller. He has personnaly raised the level of vintage FB card collecting to a new level by himself. Kudos to the buyer for keeping this hobby/investing at this high level.
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
When I send u ur card I'll send u a bottle of Visine.
Look at the time again
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
Top 10 Football Cards of All-Time is a fun topic that will get traction with it's own thread in the Sports Cards and Memorabilia Forum.
<< <i>Stick to your 55's Mac, you're out of your league. >>
LMAO and couldn't have said it better.
Kudos to the buyer. Sure, Jon realized a nice return on his investment, but I think the buyer and his analysis of the future of the FB market are spot on and this card will probably be $500-750K 5+ years down the road with the PSA 8's probably eclipsing $85K.
Regarding the 55AA Set, it's a great set, but I don't think it is on par with such keystone issues as 1935 National Chicle, 1948 Leaf and 1952 Bowman Large. Heck, I'm not even sure it makes the the Top 3 Topps issues... Sure, The Four Horsemen, Hutson, Friedman, Stagg and Nevers are nice, but as has been stated, they're rookies in name only. The AA's are more of a historic compilation than anything else.
...oh and stick to the 55's
zing!
Ive seen pics of it dozens of times but never cared....
Some Questions...
When was the last one "discovered"? (new to the hobby)
Obviously it must be short printed to receive so much attention and being compared to the T206 Wagner.... why was it short printed? broken plate? no contract? gimmick so kids buy more packs??
est. 20 known? 50 known, 100 known???
<< <i>The 1955 All-American set is very aesthetically pleasing. The Don Hutson RC is a pretty significant rookie card, with the Ernie Nevers RC a clear second for most. I'm personally a pro rather than college football fan, which has limited the '55 AAs collegiate appeal for me. That probably doesn't affect many collectors. The subject card of this thread's title depicts the pennant of Bronko's alma mater rather than that of the Chicago Bears.
Top 10 Football Cards of All-Time is a fun topic that will get traction with it's own thread in the Sports Cards and Memorabilia Forum. >>
Rookie card 24 years after you retire???
Nevers was 53 years old and been retires from playing for close to 24 years when the 1955 set was printed....
wacky rookie card rules lol
PS the guy was playing baseball in the 1920s, and has a handful of cards from 1920s-30 in PCL and in MLB
FINISHED 12/8/2008!!!
There are industry standards on what is and what isn't a rookie. Individual opinions usually don't carry as much weight.
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
<< <i>There are many issues of some of the prewar greats, but sadly, they are not considered mainstream enough to meet the criteria established for the Registry. Shotwells, Diamond Matchbooks, Mayfairs, et al all predate the Chicle, Leaf and Bowman issues... >>
Yep, not just the Registry either...None of those meet any guidelines ever published on what is considered a rookie card. Not saying I agree or disagree, just making the point that there are so many opinions on what a rookie card is...To each his own, but you'd have a tough case proving that any of these were really rookie cards...Like my example above..If I print my own cards at home of a high school team, and one of those guys goes on to be a HOFer, is that then his rookie? Always a fun debate!
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
First you have to define what a "card" is? Is the side of a wheaties box a card? What about ice cream lids? or Matchbooks? or postcards meant to be sent thru the mail? or promotional piece put out by department stores? I would venture to guess that most would answer no to all the above. From what others have said here before, I am in the minority on this issue. I'm fine with that (makes for less competition)
Unfortuantly, there is no clear cut standards on what is considered a card. It is all someone's opinion.
I like collecting the oddball and very difficult to find items including all the above. My want list is one that will never be completed do the the rarity of the issues. Some people only want to collect cards (or items) that they know they can find. I love the feeling of landing one of the "near impossible" cards on my want list. I just picked up a 1933 Diamond Matchbook of Turk Edwards last week that may be a one of a kind item. That's what makes collecting fun for me. I would get burnt out just upgrading my HOF RC set.
Dave
FINISHED 12/8/2008!!!
When it comes to Nevers, which is what started this conversation, PSA defines the Nevers RC as the 1955 Topps AA.
Jason
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
An absolutely beautifull rookie card !!!!!!!
1948-76 Topps FB Sets
FB & BB HOF Player sets
1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
the Nevers I posted is not mine but belongs to a good collecting friend of mine. It's one of my many white whale cards that I may never pick up.
FINISHED 12/8/2008!!!
You made a nice buy on that Nagurski and the other key RC's.
I'm sure you'll do fine with them down the road if you ever
want to sell them off.