Honus Wagner Tintype, ca. 1890

Appraised on: June 14, 1997

Appraised in: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Appraised by: Simeon Lipman

Category: Sports Memorabilia

Episode Info: Pittsburgh (#1627)

Originally Aired: July 23, 2012

IMAGE: 1 of 2  

Appraisal Video: (1:35)

APPRAISER: It looks as if you've had this photo a long time. Would you like to tell me a little about it?

GUEST: It's been in our family since, uh, at least 1915. And about a year ago, after we settled my mother's estate, I came across this old tintype of Honus Wagner and I figured it had some value.

APPRAISER: This is a family member in this picture as well?

GUEST: Yes, that's my great-uncle.

APPRAISER: Uh-huh.

GUEST: And I often heard stories my mother told about Honus Wagner visiting my grandfather's house and they were pretty good friends.

APPRAISER: Well, as you know, Honus Wagner was considered the greatest shortstop ever and probably is Pittsburgh's favorite son, growing up in Carnegie. Did you have any family in Carnegie?

GUEST: I was born in Carnegie and my parents were, too.

APPRAISER: So that would make sense. The tintype process for photography basically went from the mid-1850s up through about 1900. This, I believe, comes from the late 1890s. Anything of Honus Wagner prior to 1900 is extremely rare and extremely desirable. And even though he's not in baseball uniform, it's still a wonderful, wonderful piece. In my estimation, an auction value of this tintype photograph of Honus Wagner and your grand-uncle would probably be worth about $2,000 to $3,000.

GUEST: Wow, that's a pleasant surprise.

APPRAISER: You should feel very proud to have it in your family.

GUEST: I certainly am.