Card Statistics
Honus Wagner is presented again in Helmar’s T3 series with Pittsburgh, this time in a much more animated infield pose. He is shown moving across the dirt with his right arm extended as though completing a throw, his body twisted through the motion and one foot trailing behind. The pale uniform, blue-and-red striped stockings, and white cap with blue brim give the figure a distinctly Pittsburgh appearance, while the dark grandstand and green outfield wall behind him create a stronger sense of an actual game setting than the more open landscape used on the earlier Wagner card.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. She models Wagner’s uniform with cream, gray, and muted blue washes, using stronger shadow beneath the arms, around the waist, and through the folds of the trousers to convey the torque of the throwing motion. The striped stockings provide the strongest color accents in the lower half of the figure. Behind him, the grandstand is handled in deep blue-black tones, while the green wall and two loosely rendered spectators create a convincing period-ballpark setting without drawing attention away from the player.
Johannes Peter “Honus” Wagner was one of the greatest all-around players of the Deadball Era and remains one of the standard figures against whom shortstops are measured. After beginning his major-league career with Louisville, he joined Pittsburgh in 1900 and became the central star of the Pirates. Wagner combined exceptional hitting, speed, defensive range, and physical strength, winning eight National League batting titles and repeatedly ranking among the league leaders in stolen bases and extra-base hits.
Wagner helped Pittsburgh win National League pennants in 1901, 1902, and 1903 and later starred on the 1909 club that defeated Detroit in the World Series. He finished his career with more than 3,400 hits, a .328 batting average, and 723 stolen bases. Just as important was his defensive reputation: Wagner’s quick hands, range, throwing arm, and instinctive play helped define the modern expectations of the shortstop position.
Numbered #153, this second Wagner card complements the earlier T3 treatment by emphasizing another side of his game. The first card presents him in a quieter, almost transitional pose, while this image stresses movement and infield action. Together they provide a broader portrait of a player whose greatness rested not on one skill, but on extraordinary completeness.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: Throwing; green fence with "NO"
- Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
- Population (# Sold): 19
- First Date Sold: 2022-04-12
- Latest Date Sold: 2026-07-07
- Card Status: Retired
- # Sold in past year: 3
- Highest Auction: $ 191.50
- Average Auction Result: $ 72.27
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Visit these teammates on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the T3-Helmar series
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