If you could only choose one

[e107collector]

Consider the following scenerio:

You walk into a room, and there in front of you, lies the most valuable baseball cards, all in very good condition. They are as follows:

1. T206 Honus Wagner
2. T206 Eddie Plank
3. E107 Honus Wagner
4. E107 Christy Mathewson
5. Baltimore News Babe Ruth
6. T210 Joe Jackson
7. Just So Cy Young
8. Old Judge Cap Anson in Uniform
9. Texas Tommy Type 1 Ty Cobb
10. Four Base Hits King Kelley
11. T206 Doyle Error

You are told you can only leave with one card. Which card would you choose and why?

I would probably be torn between the Baltimore News Ruth and the E107 Wagner. Even though the Ruth is more valuable, I would more than likely choose the E107 Wagner. It's my favorite card of all time, and has a great image of a young Wagner in my opinion.

What do you guys think?

Tony

[Jcfowler6]

So disappointed that the 1989 Billy Ripken $*%& Face card didn't make the list.

No really the T206 Wagner Card would be my choice. It's the card to end all cards. This card has more books written about it than any I can think of. There are movies based on this card for crying out loud. People that have never seen a baseball card know about this card. It is the card the rest of our hobby is based on.

I would be like a 13 year old girl in the front row of a Beetles concert if I were in the same room as this card, even if it was ripped in 4 pieces and on fire.

And J H Wagner can be argued to be the greatest player of all times. Best short stop ever and best Pirate ever at least.

[sportscardpete]

e107 Mathewson.. in particular the really nice one that sold in Heritage a year or two ago. That card was amazing.

[tbob]

T210 Jackson. I guess I may be the only collector who votes for Joe but it is a great card.

[Robextend]

T206 Wagner...this should be a poll!! :)

[alsup2311]

It would have to be the T210 Joe Jackson for me. That card has captured my imagination more than once.

[thetruthisoutthere]

The Matty E107.

511 wins and over 7300 innings pitched. How the heck did his arm not fall off. Amazing!!!

[Gradedcardman]

The Doyle, the rarest of the 206's IMO.

[Epps]

I agree with the T210 Jackson. He's my favorite player and the card is my avatar. Plus it's from a great set. One day..

[Bicem]

Just So Young.

And if value was taken out of the equation... Just So Young.

[Danny Smith]

T206 plank is my dream card. Id take the plank and run.

[murcerfan]

Baltimore News Babe Ruth


...without hesitation.

[terjung]

I presume that we aren't talking about just grabbing the most valuable one in terms of resale so that we could get other stuff.

Assuming that the one card is going to be one that is kept, I'd pick the E107 Wagner. (keying in on the fact that it is in VG condition)

[vintagecpa]

Easily the Ruth.

[Section103]

What a great question! I have no idea. So much so, I really dont think I can answer the question. I might just punt and take the T206 Wagner because its "the card" in the mainstream eye and I have no doubt that at some point I'd probably have to liquidate it just because it's too valuable. But I might take the Joe Jackson if Im feeling it.

[paul]

I'd be torn between the Ruth and the Young, but I'd probably go with the Ruth.

By the way, I don't think there is a Kalamazoo Bats of Kelly, is there?

[joeadcock]

T206 Wagner:beautiful card

[3-2-count]

T206 Wags portrait by a landslide for me based off of sheer beauty. Couldn't go wrong with any of these choices though.

[camlov2]

I am probably going to ruin the thread with my answer but here goes-

The t-206 Wagner, but I would sell it.
This would allow two things

1) I could then say that I had owned a t-206 Wagner
2) I would then have the money to purchase a couple cards from the list.
(the key from the list would be the Baltimore Ruth)

[ullmandds]

511 wins belongs to cy young...no other comes close...I'd choose the t206 wags for similar reasons as mentioned...it immediately evokes an emotional response in me no other card approaches.

[benderbroeth]

i think the better question would be all the cards minus the wagner, because lets face it most people will make the "duh" choice and choose the wagner, like me...take the wagner out of the question and i would choose the old judge cap anson just for the age, or the t206 eddie plank...for my edward collection

[oldjudge]

I'm a 19th century guy so my chioces come down to the Anson, the Kelly and the Young. All are rare (less than five copies) and all represent great players. However, only one is from a great card set so--I go with the Anson in Uniform.

[Brendan]

Now, purely from a value standpoint, I would go with the Wagner. It's the type of card that will impress non-collectors because they have heard about it. If the Wagner didn't have the press attached to it, I would go with the Ruth with the second choice being the Young.

[vintagerookies51]

The obvious choice would be to pick the t206 wagner. You could sell it to get 2+ other dream cards. However, if value wasn't a factor, I'd go with the Just So Young.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Baltimore News Ruth

[Wayne]

I would say the T-206 Wagner. If I wasnt collecting the set it would be T-210 Joe Jackson. Because I dont have an original of his

[ctownboy]

Easy,

1) Young
2) Anson
3) Kelly

If you have the money, most of the other cards are "easy" to acquire. Even with mega bucks, getting one of these three would probably take some time.

David

[triwak]

Baltimore News Babe! It's a miracle that card even exists!

[glchen]

Baltimore News Ruth. Wonder if the red or blue is rarer?

[ls7plus]

Baltimore News Babe Ruth


...without hesitation.

+1. When it's all said and done, there is only one [at the top of the hill].

Thought provoking thread!

Best,

Larry

[teetwoohsix]

I'd easily snag the T206 Wagner, because that's the set I'm trying to complete and that's the one card I'm pretty sure I'll never have a chance to own :(

I can do without the Doyle error, although it would be cool to have (of course) but I'll be just as fine with the regular version.

If someone beat me to the Wagner, I'd be scrambling for the Plank T206 :D

Cool thread !!!

Sincerely, Clayton

[iwantitiwinit]

T206 Plank, I don't know why, maybe because I somehow have it in my head that I could someday actually afford this card while I do not believe I could ever own the Wagner.

[benchod]

Tough choice between the Baltimore News Ruth or Just So Young
I guess I would pick the Young and hope to get a Ruth later ;)

[Leon]

Assuming, as others have said, we aren't picking the most expensive only to resell and buy another, I would pick the Baltimore News Ruth. The Just So Young would be next, then probably the T206 Wags....

[novakjr]

I am probably going to ruin the thread with my answer but here goes-

The t-206 Wagner, but I would sell it.
This would allow two things

1) I could then say that I had owned a t-206 Wagner
2) I would then have the money to purchase a couple cards from the list.
(the key from the list would be the Baltimore Ruth)

I was gonna say the exact same thing.. The sale price alone from the Wagner could easily buy a good chunk of the list..

Now, if I weren't allowed to sell the card. I'd go with the Just So Young. It's absolutely my favorite card ever..

[Bill Stone]

I would gladly take the t210 Jackson.

[T206Collector]

The only card that would distract me from a T206 Wagner would be a signed T206 Cobb...

[pgellis]

I would take the T206 Doyle. I'm trying to complete this set someday (yeah right!). The Doyle is much more rare than the Wagner. You just don't see the Doyle come up for sale at all. You do see the Wagner & Plank come up probably a couple of times every year.

Doyle would be my choice!

[Baseball Rarities]

Baltimore News Ruth. Wonder if the red or blue is rarer?

I think that there are 10 known to exist - 6 blue and 4 red.

[YankeeCollector]

Baltimore News Ruth

There will NEVER be anyone like him.

A guy locked in 0-0 pitching duels with the great Walter Johnson and then hitting 714 HRs.


Imagine Justin Verlander becoming an OF and hitting 60 hrs in a season. It will never happen again!

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Because I have chased the T206s off and on since the mid-70s it would have to be the Wagner, a card I never even typed on my want lists back in the old typewriter days!

[Baseball Rarities]

Another vote for the Baltimore News Ruth.

It is hard to believe that just two months before these cards were produced, Ruth was still a student at St. Marys.

[atx840]

Doyle for investment, Plank for pleasure. Tough choice.

[GaryPassamonte]

If you mean the Four Base Hits Kelly, it gets my vote.

[Bobsbats]

I know most people have said the Wagner, so you could sell it and buy others, but I have never seen an Anson in uniform in person before. The Kelly Four Base Hits is a great card too.....but for me, knowing there is really only less than 5 of the Anson Old Judge, hands down thats which one I choose.

[e107collector]

If you mean the Four Base Hits Kelly, it gets my vote.

Gary, you are correct, I just editied the original post. I don't know why I was thinking Kalamazoo Bats.

The thread seems to have quite a diverse array of responses. The T210 Jax, T206 Wagner, and Just So Young seem to be the most popular.

No one wants the Type 1 Texas Tommy Cobb?:)

Tony

[uffda51]

4BH Kelly, edging out Anson in uniform.

[jp1216]

So disappointed that the 1989 Billy Ripken $*%& Face card didn't make the list.

:mad: HEY!!! jk

I'd take the T206 Wagner. A favorite of mine!

[Jason]

I want to say the Anson but I think I would instantly regret that decision.The Wagner for sure.Not for resale value just because I want it.Great thread,hard decision to make.

[steve B]

Ok, I'd be happy with any of them. And choosing is very tough. All great cards, and all great players.

I'd probably go with the just so Young. But most of the others are really close.

Oddly for me the last on the list is the Wagner. I saw one up close at a small auction a few years ago and my reaction really surprised me. I went mostly to see the Wagner. And there was a brief thrill. But that was replaced by the thought that it was just a T206, a creased, written on, worn T206 that was probably worth more than all the others there combined. But it just didn't thrill me. I still don't know why.

Steve B

[Cardboard Junkie]

Baltimore News Ruth....by the way how many are known? Variations? Grade? Does anybody here own one?

[vintagerookies51]

Baltimore News Ruth....by the way how many are known? Variations? Grade? Does anybody here own one?

There are 10 known to exist- 6 blue and 4 red, as stated in an earlier post

[glchen]

There are 10 known to exist- 6 blue and 4 red, as stated in an earlier post

One of them is in the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore : Link (http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=125271)

and I've read that one collector actually has both colors.

[Howe’s Hunter]

Could I look at the back of the t206s before making my choice?

[brianp-beme]

I have no real answer...if presented the opportunity I would probably end up flopping around on the floor until they hauled me out of there.

Brian

[yanksfan09]

I'd take the Ruth for sure, no doubt about it

[kkkkandp]

Since I collect Old Judge almost exclusively these days it would be nearly impossible for me to pass up the Anson in uniform.

[Batter67up]

The Ruth is my choice!

[Baseball Rarities]

One of them is in the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore : Link (http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=125271)

and I've read that one collector actually has both colors.

Actually, there are two collectors who have one of each color.

[sox1903wschamp]

Just So Young

[ValKehl]

The Baltimore News Ruth, so that I could trade it to Dan McKee for his WaJos and other cards I covet!! :D
Val

[Wesley]

E107 Matthewson or E107 Wagner

[mark evans]

The Baltimore News Ruth, so that I could trade it to Dan McKee for his WaJos and other cards I covet!! :D
Val

I likewise wouldn't mind to have the Ruth card to trade to Dan, and have a Mega Millions ticket for just that purpose. Failing that, and being a man of simpler (poorer) tastes, I think I could be happy with a Cracker Jack Joe Jackson.

[peterose4hof]

I only collect Cincinnati Reds cards, so if a Peck & Snyder was available I would grab that. If not, I would definitely go with the T206 Wagner just for the "cool" factor.

[Mikehealer]

How about either a Wagner or Plank with a Hindu back, at least it's possible.

[matty6]

The Newsboy Ruth is the rookie card of the greatest baseball player ever. Yet, the Matty E107 is the earliest one of my favorite player and a beauty of a pic...

And others on this list are rarer, but I'd have to choose the T206 Wagner. It's the Holy Grail!!!

[E93]

T206 Wagner, then Just So Cy Young

[Runscott]

Just So Young.

And if value was taken out of the equation... Just So Young.

I like your thinking, but I'd still take the T206 Wagner - gorgeous card and the most expensive in a set I'm sort of trying to build.

[sycks22]

I'd go with the '89 Upper Deck Dale Murphy reverse negative. That was a dream card growing up in the '80's.:)

[HOF Auto Rookies]

The only card that would distract me from a T206 Wagner would be a signed T206 Cobb...

You didn't get one from the Morey collection?

[97manoftroy]

From this list I have to take the Ruth.......but

A Signed 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #88 Christy Mathewson would be the pinnacle for me :D

[tcdyess]

Give me Babe!!!!

[kmac32]

T 206 Wagner which I would promptly sell

[Mark]

I'd take the Wagner since I need it to complete my Pirates team set for the T206's.

[bn2cardz]

Anson Uniform, I would give up all the other cards in my collection (not saying much) to display just this card in my house.

[dabigyankeeman]

If we are talking about putting it in my collection and not picking a card to sell, i would take The Babe, gotta take The Babe over anyone.

[Fred]

Yikes, what a choice.... since we're talking fantasy hypotheticals would I be allowed to consult two people -

First my conscience - I'd need to tell myself not to run out of the room with everyone of those cards...

Second, could I consult King Soloman? I'm sure this choice would be tougher than what he did with the baby and two moms...

It'd be a tough decision - I'd want to have the T206 Wagner because it's the T206 Wagner. It's the frigging HOLY GRAIL of cards. Sure, it's not the toughest card of the bunch but it is the T206 Wagner.

I'd love the N172 Anson as a close second.

Next would be the Ruth, the Just So and then a toss up between the Kelly and T210 Jackson.

[Bilko G]

Hands down id take the Baltimore news Ruth

[g_vezina_c55]

My choice : T206 Wagner

Classic image, a lot of history with this card, colorfull card, great HOF.

[dabigyankeeman]

T206 Wagner to re-sell and use the money for old Yankee cards.

However, if i had to keep the card, i would take the Baltimore News Ruth, my alltime favorite player.

[brewcrewfan77]

I have no real answer...if presented the opportunity I would probably end up flopping around on the floor until they hauled me out of there.

Brian

+1 I'd be a drooling mess. The cards would be ruined by me picking one up, start to leave leave the room, just to stop think about it put it back and get a different one. Then repeat for about 5-10 hours. But really pressed it'd have to be the Ruth...no the Wagner...no the Anson...no...wait...Aw crap!

[ScottR81]

Baltimore News Ruth in blue....hence the photo :))

[MattyC]

What a great thread!

For me, it would probably be...

1. Just So Cy Young - the sheer rarity gets me on this one
2. Baltimore News Babe Ruth - again, the overall pop number is sexy to me
3. T206 Honus Wagner
4. E107 Honus Wagner

But honestly, if I could reach into a grab bag and get any one of those four, I would be the happiest guy on earth. They are all insane cards, all with tremendously pleasing images.

[TUM301]

E 107 Christy M, T 210 Joe Jax, Balt. News Ruth. Hardest decision for me is choosing between my fav. set E 107 and my fav. collectable player Joe Jackson.

[drmondobueno]

Screw the rules. I'd take them all!!

All kidding aside, it would be very hard to choose between the Ruth and the Wags. The coin is in the air...I'll take the Wags, being a West Coast Pirate fan and a Monster collector.

[famousgolfers]

Not to side track the thread, but I know several people have mentioned taking the T206 Wagner and then reselling it to buy other cards. I know the Wagner PSA 8 has sold for the most money, but wouldn’t a Baltimore News Ruth or a Just So Cy Young in the same grade as the T206 Wagner sell for more money? Needless to say, I would take the Baltimore News Ruth.

[Steve D]

I suppose I'd take the T206 Wagner.

I'd then trade it for a lower grade example + cash, and use the cash to buy a Plank and Magie; therefore completing my set (missing only the Doyle NY Natl).

Steve

[Sean]

Great thread.
Leaving aside resale value, I would take the Doyle variation. I love the background story.

[Jason]

After reading my post when this thread was started I want to change my answer.I am going with the T210 Jackson.I still would love to have a Wagner but I think/hope that the Jackson is the one T210 out of reach from my set to be completed one day.

[sb1]

Having had the 1st four. I would probably go back and choose the Wagner. It's not a rare card but it has all of the mystique and allure that makes it special. I have a couple of Wagners which are much harder to find and lower pop, but missing the WOW factor.

[bnorth]

I would easily pick the T210 Joe Jackson and I have no idea of the value of any of the 11 cards listed being new to pre-war cards.
Because of this forum I seen the T210 cards for the first time and I knew I had to collect them. To me they are the most beautiful set ever made.

[Tao_Moko]

E107 Wags. It's early, rare and awesome.

[sb1]

The only knock on the E107's to some people(not me) is the fact that many of the stars are in suits and not uniforms. Otherwise they might bring more than the others.

[Jason Carota]

T210 Jackson, without a doubt. The #1 card (I'll give Stengel 1A :) ) from my favorite set.

[EvilKing00]

Ruth, easy call for me hes the best player of all time and thats his 1st card!

[conor912]

Easy. If you had to pick one player of all time to epitomize the sport of baseball, who would it be? Hint: it ain't Wagner.

[brian1961]

For this list-----easy. The Baltimore News Babe Ruth

What a card!

Of course, I'm a bit partial to regional / food issues.

Salute. -Brian Powell;)

[Rich Klein]

After all, that is the only card to have a book written about it.

[h2oya311]

Not much love for 19th century...

I have the same list as many...I'd definitely be torn b/w the Cy Young and Babe Ruth cards...but it'd have to be in this order:

(1) Baltimore News Ruth - either color
(2) Just So Young
(3) T206 Wagner

Every time I show a co-worker or friend an image of the 1914 Ruth online, they instantly become fascinated with baseball card collecting. Now that's "wow factor"!! Usually when I talk about baseball card collecting, eyes gloss over almost as much as if I explain what an actuary does at an insurance company...

[Brian Van Horn]

Wagner. I am from Pittsburgh, a Pirates fan, and live within 7 miles of Carnegie which was Wagner's birthplace and hometown throughout his life.

[yanksfan09]

Ruth without a doubt

[Batter67up]

Ruth. No question abut it.

[quinnsryche]

Hans. Wouldn't think twice or even look at the others. Value, prestige, history, artistic value, bragging rights. The Wagner has it all.