You have probably noticed that auction houses tend to have the most interesting and expensive items up for auction. They have a closed network of private bidders and the owners of items that are being consigned have little worries about the buyers. And some of the items that they get just have incredible provenance and stories behind them.

SCP Auctions is currently hosting its 2022 Winter Premiere Auction. The largest standout in the auction is a T206 Honus Wagner card. There are several other items that stand out too, one being a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig graded SGC 9, as well as an autographed Michael Jordan rookie card. Perhaps the most unusual item that stood out was an 18K gold Presidential Rolex — that belonged to golf legend Arnold Palmer.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This implies that collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Six-figure and seven-figure auctions could go a long way in stocks or bonds. It is also the case where collectors with a passion to own a collectible for years now frequently have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future.

This card is famous and is generally considered to be the most expensive baseball card in the world. SCP’s example up for grabs is unique because about half of the card is missing. On top of this card not having been up for sale in years, the PSA certification was only the second card that PSA encapsulated in its same modern era format (certification number is 00000002). This particular T206 Honus Wagner is still slabbed in the original PSA flip and it is graded as “Genuine” by PSA.

Even with 10 days to go, SCP has received 15 bids for the T206 Honus Wagner and the minimum bid of $25,000 was last seen up to $297,995.00. There is no way to know how much that T206 Wagner will sell for, but the bid being this high may only support the notion that buying a T206 Honus Wagner for under $1 million may be next to impossible. (Image by SCP Auctions)

Collectors Dashboard has given more details about how to look at this T206 Honus Wagner card relative to others.

The 36mm Swiss wristwatch is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day/Date model in 18K yellow gold case, with a fluted bezel from 1970. The serial number is also listed (2906983) and has a matching 18K yellow gold Presidential band bracelet with concealed crown clasp. The watch comes with a vintage Rolex magazine advertisement and a copy of the original benefit auction COA (see below).

This is not the first time that this particular item has come up for bid, and that only helps pinpoint the provenance even further. The minimum bid of $20,000 has seen 3 bids and the last bid was at $32,211. SCP has a notation that this lot has a reserve price that has not been met.

As for the backstory and provenance, SCP Auctions said:

Along with being a golf and sports icon, Arnold Palmer is generally recognized as a pioneer athlete in taking his “brand” and leveraging it for business ventures, product endorsements and television and print advertising. One of Palmer’s favorite brands was Rolex watches, and he became the company’s first official ambassador in 1967.

Presented here is a stunning 18-Karat gold luxury Rolex wristwatch originally owned by the golf legend himself, the great Arnold Palmer. The watch is engraved on the case back with Palmer’s monogram “ADP”, for Arnold Daniel Palmer, of course.

This delightful timepiece was later included by Palmer as part of a black-tie charity dinner and auction held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, NY on June 13, 1995, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.G.A. (United States Golf Association).

As noted earlier, this auction has many interesting items. One is Jorge Soler’s 3-run homer blast from the final game of the 2021 World Series. Here are some of the other great cards and items up for grabs:

• 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig graded SGC Mint 9, last seen at $94,948
• 1952 Topps Eddie Mathews graded PSA 8 (only 2 higher), last seen at $42,803
• 1984-85 Star Co. autographed Michael Jordan #101 graded BGS 8.5/10, last seen at $32,157
• Famous Babe Ruth photo “The Babe Bows Out” (1st copy, June 13, 1948), last bid at $29,282

Here is a full list of items up for auction.