Lot # 127: 1909-1910 W555 Honus Wagner SGC VG 3

Graded VG 3 by SGC. Extremely attractive example of Hall of Famer Honus Wagner from the W555 candy-card series. Due to their rarity and unusual size (1-1/8 x 1-3/16 inches), W555 cards are one of the most overlooked candy issues from the 1910 era. In years past, they were also one of the most mysterious. Until several years ago, no one knew exactly what company issued them, or even exactly how they were issued, although it was always clear they were cut from something. W555 cards are now known to have been issued by Philadelphia confectioner Jay S. Meyer as part of the package design of its boxes of candy and were intended to be hand-cut by youngsters. A full box of "Base Ball Snap Shots" proving this was discovered in 2007. Also, as suggested by The Standard Catalog, this set should really now be listed as an "E" card set as opposed to a "W" set, as it is truly a candy-card issue. That they are candy cards no doubt explains the fact that W555s share the same images as cards from several traditional 1910-era caramel-card sets. (Note the same image of Wagner that appears on his W555 card is used on his E93 Standard Caramel card.) The offered example is neatly cut with superb image quality and even corner wear. This is a superb example of one of the key Hall of Famers from this very unusual and scarce early candy issue.