Lot # 543: 1910-1911 M116 Sporting Life Honus Wagner Blue Background SGC EX+ 5.5

Graded EX+ 5.5 by SGC. Exceptional high-grade example of Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Honus Wagner from the prized "Blue Background" series of M116 Sporting Life. M116s have always been highly appreciated by collectors for their distinctive style and rarity relative to the more commonly seen tobacco cards of the era. Honus Wagner is one of the key cards of the series, and the offered example features the portrait of Wagner (which is so similar in appearance to the famous T206 Wagner and dates from the same era) set against a blue background. M116 Sporting Life cards were issued in sets of 12 cards per series, and the Blue Background cards are by far the most desirable combination of series within the entire set. These 24 cards were issued with both blue backgrounds and white backgrounds. The Blue Background cards have always been especially appreciated by collectors for their scarcity and distinctive style. The offered card displays vibrant colors, outstanding registration, bright white borders, and strong corners displaying light touches of wear (weaker top left). The Sporting Life advertisement on the reverse is entirely clean and boldly printed. This is a magnificent high-grade example of one of Wagner's most distinctive and popular portrait cards which would be a worthy addition to any M116 Sporting Life, Honus Wagner, or Hall of Fame card collection.