The 1907 Philadelphia Caramel baseball card set, also known as T206, is one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the history of sports card collecting. Issued by the American Caramel Company, these cards featured photogravure images of major league players printed on high quality card stock. Within the set there are over 500 different baseball players represented, with the most famous and desirable being the Honus Wagner card. There are also many other notable and valuable cards that collectors seek out.
One of the key cards in the 1907 T206 set is the PC805 Eddie Plank card. Eddie Plank was a star pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics during the early 20th century and had a very successful career. Some of his career highlights include winning 20 or more games in 5 different seasons, pitching over 300 career victories, and being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. Given his status as a star player and Hall of Famer, his T206 card is considered one of the most important and collectible among non-Wagner issues within the set.
In terms of condition and grading, PC805 Eddie Plank cards can vary quite a bit in terms of price depending on their state of preservation. In low grades such as Poor 1 or Good 2, examples may sell for $500-$1,000. As the condition improves, so too does the value. Very Fine/Extremely Fine graded cards in the 7-8 range have recently sold at auction for $4,000-$8,000. The truly high-end gem mint examples that grade 9-10 can command astronomical prices. In 2019, a PSA Mint 9 PC805 Plank sold for a record $27,000, showing the potential for mint examples.
Centering is a huge factor for PC805 Plank cards as it is for most vintage issues. Examples that grade nicely but are off-center will sell at a discount compared to perfectly centered counterparts. Another key attribute collectors look for is the card’s color and brightness. Dull or faded examples that have lost their original vibrancy will have diminished values. The surface quality must also be clean and smooth with no creases, folds, or stains to achieve the highest grades. Any flaws can seriously hurt a card’s condition census and price.
While the PC805 Plank is not in the same ultra-rare category as the Honus Wagner, it still represents a significant piece of baseball history and the most widely collected vintage set. For serious T206 collectors, owning a high-grade example of Plank’s card is considered an important part of any collection. Even in lower grades, it remains a historically significant baseball card that can hold value over time for investors or be enjoyed as a display piece. With such a long and accomplished career, Plank more than earned his place among the other stars within the iconic 1907 issue. His card continues to be a highly sought after key card for T206 collectors around 100 years later.
As with any other rare collectible, there are many factors that influence a PC805 Plank card’s long term potential and investment outlook. Overall population reports, average sold prices, and the overall vibrancy of the vintage sports card market must be considered. As one of the most famous and earliest sets ever produced, the 1907 T206s will likely always remain a blue chip holding. Even if short term fluctuations occur, properly graded gem examples of this Plank card have proven to hold and increase in value over many decades. For serious vintage card collectors, owning one of the finest known PC805 Plank cards may be a lifelong goal.
The Eddie Plank PC805 card from the landmark 1907 T206 set is an extremely important early 20th century baseball issue. As one of the set’s most desirable non-Wagner players due to his Hall of Fame career, examples in top grades can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Even in lower grades, it represents a significant piece of sports history. For dedicated vintage card investors and collectors, finding a high quality PC805 Plank to add to a collection should always be a long term priority given the player, set, and issue that it represents within the hobby. 100 years later, it remains one of the most historically valuable and eagerly sought after cards for T206 collectors worldwide.