A Lesson Worth More Than All The Money In The World
What Honus Wagner teaches the modern world about value
The figure was staggering. Near 20 bidders battled back and forth in 2016 trying to land the prize. Eventually one came out on top after going further than the rest. The final number would be $3.12 million dollars for a baseball card. The man selling the card had paid a staggering sum himself three years before — just over $2 million dollars.
You’re probably scratching your head at this point. Why the hell would someone pay 3 million dollars for a baseball card? It’s just a picture on a piece of paper, and not a good one at that.
The Honus Wagner baseball card made by the American Tobacco Company and distributed from 1909 through 1911 is exceeding rare. Any of these cards command an amazing price, even in poor condition. According to Forbes, only 60 of these cards are thought to exist in the world today.
So it’s rare, that makes it more understandable why people would pay a premium for it. But, this simple economics principal hides a deeper life lesson when you look at the card and man whose picture graces it.
Why are there only 60 of these cards in existence today? Mainly because a man a long time ago put his reputation above profit he would receive. He would be…
