This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/28/2009
ADDENDUM: The title of this description refers to the Honus Wagner cigar box as dating from "Circa 1898." This dating is in error. The box actually dates from between 1919 and 1926. It has long been misdated in the baseball world due to Wagner's appearance on the box in a Louisville uniform. Until 1917 cigars were taxed by weight. In 1917 a new law taxing them by selling price went into effect. That law was revised in 1919. In 1919, the small rectangle on the front of this box was created and required to appear on the box. The text in this rectangle reads as follows: "The cigars herein contained were manufactured to retail at nor more than 5¢ and are so tax paid." Any box that has this rectangle, or has a gold on blue revenue stamp, is post 1919.
Incredibly rare Honus Wagner brand endorsed lidded wooden cigar box featuring a lithographic interior lid label that contains a black and white portrait photo of Honus Wagner in a Louisville Colonels uniform c.1897-1899. Large inside label covers the whole bottom of lid. The picture of Wagner is clean and problem free with the covering label completely in tack. Around this image is printed in blue on the white background is "Honus Wagner Hand Made Long Filler The Supreme Cigar"Top of lid stamped "Honus Wagner A Satisfaction To All Smokers". Sides read "Honus Wagner 'The Supreme Cigar"". Front reads just "Honus Wagner" along with content detail. Some of the original tax stamping is still present. Bottom is marked as having been manufactured by Factory No. 47 District of Kentucky, with a registration date of "AUG. 19, 1903". The box is in good shape overall with some chipping to the inside label at the bottom(Backside bottom, not lid). Outside of box has some toning in a few areas and with other general light wear. Possibly the most highly sought after baseball related cigar box issue, the offered example is one of a couple known. Tough early rarity of Hall of Fame Great Honus Wagner from very early in his storied career. Excellent condition overall with the inside image of Wagner even better.