A hidden treasure surfaces
Keith Olbermann, the veteran broadcaster known for his stints at ESPN and MSNBC, has listed a rare T206 Honus Wagner baseball card for auction. The card, colloquially called the "die‑cut Wagner," was discovered after years of serving as a paperweight in his office. Olbermann acquired it in the late 1990s but kept it out of the public eye, uncertain whether the card was authentic.
Earlier this year the card underwent a meticulous restoration and was authenticated by the grading firm CGC, which confirmed its condition and provenance. Olbermann, now 67, already owns two other T206 Wagner cards, making this piece a duplicate that he is now ready to part with.
The card will be showcased at Fanatics Fest next week, giving collectors a first look before it hits the auction block later this summer. The upcoming sale will be handled by Love of the Game Auctions, a specialist in high‑value sports memorabilia.
Industry observers note that the auction reflects a broader surge in demand for iconic baseball artifacts, with rare cards fetching record‑breaking prices in recent years. Olbermann's decision to sell underscores a shifting attitude toward previously private collections, as more owners opt to bring hidden gems into the public market.