Rare Sepia 1916 Wedding Photograph of Honus Wagner and Bessie Smith.
Lot 12. Rare Sepia 1916 Wedding Photograph of Honus Wagner and Bessie Smith. Even Wagner’s granddaughter didn’t have a copy of this photo. An earlier owner made a copy of it for her. This 4” x 6” photo is the only known original from the wedding on Dec. 30, 1916. Wagner was 42, and Smith, 27. He had met her at least eight years earlier. Although rumors of their impending marriage were rampant, they managed to avoid reporters. They were married in a simple, private evening ceremony in Carnegie, Pa. The images could not be clearer or sharper. The photo is nm except for an inoffensive crease away from the Wagners in the lower right corner. The blank back has a couple of stains likely related to the photo-printing process. Definitely rare, and like unique! Winning Bid $949.
