The Conlon Collection is widely considered one of the most prestigious private collections of vintage baseball cards in existence. Amassed by Canadian businessman Lawrence Conlon over several decades, the collection contains over 6,000 cards in remarkable condition. While the value of individual cards fluctuates based on the sports card market, the entire collection is insured for over $30 million and considered invaluable to collectors and historians alike.
Conlon grew up in Ontario in the 1950s and developed a passion for collecting at a young age. His grandfather introduced him to the allure of baseball cards found in gum and cigarette packs of the era. Though the cards themselves held little intrinsic value then, Conlon treasured each addition to his growing pile of players. He was fascinated learning statistics and biographies of the stars through reading the backsides of the cardboard. This planted the seeds of a lifelong hobby.
While pursuing his professional career in finance, Conlon never stopped accumulating cards. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he scoured flea markets, antique shops and collector shows for deals. At the time, the trading card industry was relatively dormant compared to later decades. Savvy collectors like Conlon took advantage to expand their troves knowing demand and prices would rise. He developed relationships with dealers worldwide to acquire the rarest finds.
A cornerstone of the Conlon Collection came in the 1970s when he obtained one of the only surviving complete sets of the legendary 1909-1911 T206 tobacco card series. Produced by the American Tobacco Company, these cardboard treasures introduced color lithography to the sport and featured over 500 players. Their survival rate is incredibly low due to heavy usage as promotional items. Conlon’s pristine examples in high grade are valued beyond millions individually.
In the 1980s and 1990s, sports memorabilia became a more recognized investment. Conlon shrewdly expanded his holdings with an eye towards condition. He amassed prodigious rosters from the greatest vintage issues including the famous 1913 Baltimore News baseball cards depicting stars in action poses. The collector painstakingly reviewed each potential addition under close magnification before acquisition. Only flawless “gem mint” specimens became part of the collection.
The crowning jewels are undoubtedly Conlon’s expansive selection of honus wagner cards. The appearance of the legendary Pirate in the 1909-1911 T206 series made his one of the most coveted in the world. With only around 60 high grade examples known to exist, each rumor of unearthing another example captures worldwide attention. Conlon owns multiple Wagners in pristine condition surpassing eight figures each. They are arguably the most valuable collectibles on the planet.
Alongside the intrinsic historical value of his finds, Conlon understood preservation was key to appreciate their significance. He stored the entire collection in customized acid-free holders within climate controlled vaults. Each sheet was encapsulated with care to protect them indefinitely. Conlon traveled internationally to teach conservation principles and best practices for saving our shared sporting heritage.
Despite periods of declining interest, the collecting population continued to grow. As an active educator at expos and through interviews, Conlon’s accumulation became known as the benchmark for condition standards. Few public or private stocks could rival the mint state quality throughout. With rising six and even seven figure prices at auction, his investments proved lucrative as well.
Into his late years, Conlon endowed a portion of the unsurpassed assemblage as a long term loan exhibit for the National Sports Museum in Toronto. There, under strict environmental controls, a rotating display showcases the finest examples with informative displays. It serves as both a memorial to Conlon’s extraordinary efforts and education for new generations. Plans are also in place for his surviving family to sustain conservation efforts and selectively share rarities with other respected institutions.
Through a lifetime of passion and foresight, the Conlon Collection stands as a true crown jewel among vintage sports memorabilia. Its impeccable survivors offer a window into the earliest days of professional baseball promotion. With immaculate care, Lawrence Conlon ensured this heritage remains accessible and awe-inspiring for years to come. For historians and enthusiasts alike, it represents the pinnacle of what can be achieved through single-minded dedication to preservation.
