Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>nbrazil</b><p>Let's say a novice collector comes to you and tells you that he/she is going to start collecting pre war cards. He also tells you that he's interested in collecting a set. He has an average income for a collector, has no or very little experience in collecting prewar (but has collected post war) and is concerned not with investment or future returns. <br /><br />He is interested in a set that is affordable yet aesthetically pleasing. He's also interested in a set that has a good selection of players and truly defines the era of baseball that the cards were produced in. He's looking for a challenging set to build, but given the above you know that he also shouldnt be overwhelmed.<br /><br />He said he's done some research on the subject and knows that in the pre war era there are tobacco cards and caramel cards (ignore candy cards, bread cards, etc). He wants to know which of the two should he first pursue and what specific set.<br /><br />You tell him to collect a.) tobacco or b.) caramel.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />You then tell him to collect _____ set.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />thanks in advance for any replies.

Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>Rob NYC</b><p>I, too, am a novice at prewar. For me, collecting T206s (because they seem to be the most 'abundant' of prewar cards) and collecting them as team sets in off grades makes for a nice affordable collection.

Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>warshawlaw</b><p>It is the core set of the prewar era, it is affordable, relatively speaking, and it is abundant. <br /><br />Or, if the friend is more interested in variety, urge him to buy a card or two from every possible set. <br /><br />Whatever approach, I would urge him to buy only HOFers and popular players, and to buy cards in as nice shape as he can afford.

Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>FYS</b><p>Diamond Stars would be a good start. Much smaller than the Monster and no unachievable cards, regardless of condition.

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Posted By: <b>Keith O'Leary</b><p><P>1. Tobacco - They're not only more affordable, but more readily available.</P><P>2. T201 Mecca double folders- I usually always recommend the same set to beginners. I've never seen them counterfeited (so you can be less afraid of buying raw), they're a unique design, they offer the first set with statistics, rather small as tobacco card sets go (50), plenty of HOFers, a large size which will give you a good opportunity to "feel" plenty of vintage paper.</P><P> </P><P> </P>

Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>Richard Masson</b><p>What about 33 Goudey? Defines an era, first true gum card, abundant supply in mid and lower grade, very affordable.

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Posted By: <b>PC</b><p>T205 Gold Borders and/or T201 Mecca Double Folders --<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />T201:<br />(1) 50 cards in the set -- very manageable<br />(2) interesting cards<br />(3) HOFers are still relatively reasonably priced<br /><br />T205:<br />(1) a little over 200 cards, so enough to keep busy, but shouldn't take 10 years to complete<br />(2) cards are beautiful (to most)<br />(3) HOFers are manageable -- and no expensive/rare T206 Wagner-like cards<br />(4) there are harder/obscure variations, but, again, no T206 Wagners, Planks, etc.

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Posted By: <b>dd</b><p>T202 - Beautiful cards that are 3 images for one price and still somewhat affordable in lower condition.

Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>jay behrens</b><p>4 Ruth's and 2 Gehrig's makes the 33 Goudey set, even in low grade fairly spendy.<br /><br />t206 set is a good start if you just go for one card of each player. Don't try to get all 4 Cobb's etc. Same for the t205 set. Iignore the rare back variations and team changes on front and you have a very managable set.<br /><br />Jay<br><br>Growing old is not optional, growing up is.

Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>Eric B</b><p>1933 Sport Kings. Great looking color set. Only 48 cards. Commons available at a reasonable price. Cards generally in grade 4+. Includes Ruth, Cobb, and Hubbell baseball as well as Grange and Thorpe football. What other set includes a dog sled racer, speed skaters, and speed pilots?

Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>Josh K.</b><p>going against the grain, I would recommend the e95 set. Its a little pricier but still afordable. Its small so it wont take forever to complete. None of the cards are rare. Its got a great mix of HOFers and stars of the day (though non-HOFers). You can also still get a wagner, plank and cobb without spending a fortune. <br />

Hypothetical situation
 

Posted By: <b>Judge Dred (Fred)</b><p>There has already been mention of T201 because of the size, availability and affordability of the set. That is an excellent selection. h