Auction Item Details
Lot 559
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Lot Number: 559
Description: Honus Wagner’s 1898 Louisville Colonels contract from Wagner’s estate. As his baseball prowess became known on the local diamonds of Eastern Pennsylvania, Wagner was pursued early on by a number of scouts. Although Wagner hated the idea of leaving home and refused all offers for several years, he debuted with the Louisville Colonels of the National League in 1897. Wagner played a number of different positions brilliantly and demonstrated uncommon ability as a hitter. In spite of Wagner, the Colonels finished in 11th place during his first season. Although change was in order, team owner Barney Dreyfuss refused numerous offers to trade his most promising young star. Dreyfuss presented Wagner with a contract for the 1898 season, calling for a salary of $1,500 with an option for 1899. Drawn on January 29, 1898, offered is Wagner’s unsigned personal copy of his 1898 contract. The Colonels had established a reporting date of March 18th, yet Wagner arrived casually on the 21st still “unsigned”. As it turned out, his delay in signing was more a matter of his indifference to legal matters than a holdout. He eventually signed for the $1,500. The contract itself exhibits areas of separation on the centerfold and several water stains. No text or writing is adversely affected. In 1899, the NL was reduced from twelve teams to eight. Colonel’s owner Barney Dreyfuss became president of the Pittsburgh Pirates club and was forced to build a team from the bottom up. To speed the process, Dreyfuss brought Wagner with him along with several other Colonels players. This significant document represents Wagner’s earliest years in professional baseball and originates from Wagner’s estate. Includes letter of provenance from his granddaughter Leslie Blair Wagner: VG-EX
Estimated Price: ($3,000.00-$4,000.00)
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