Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>James Feagin</b><p>For those of us on a strict collecting budget, which would you rather have?<br /><br />1.) 1915 Cracker Jack SGC 84 Louis Evans of the Brooklyn Federals. It's the second highest graded and has a low pop....both sell for around the same. <br /><br />or..... <br /><br />2.) 1909-1911 t206 Christy Mathewson (Dark Cap) SGC 40/50 <br /><br />A high-grade low-population common or a mid-grade plentiful bonafide HOFer??? <br /><br />James<br />

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>A high grade Cracker Jack Federal league player, especially from Brooklyn, is a pretty desirable card. You can always find a mid-grade T206 Matty.

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>Mike W</b><p>Commons do little for me, no matter what the grade. I would take the Matty over the high grade common any day. 373 Wins?!!

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>Marc S.</b><p>High-grade, especially since the Matty is so easy to find.

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>James Feagin</b><p>Your thoughts are very appreciated! How about a less common issue say a t205 Mathewson or a t201 Cobb or Mathewson?<br /><br />James

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>If you are thinking about buying one of these, I'd say buy the one you would most like to own. As far as desirability, I'd probably go with The T201 Cobb slightly over the T205 Matty, followed by the T201 Matty. None of them are scarce, so you don't have to worry about missing an opportunity. They all come around.

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>identify7</b><p>The demand for both is strong. The common because of grade rarity, the superstar because of player popularity.<br /><br />If suddenly a cache of a dozen of each card in equal or higher grade (or popularity) is uncovered; the grade rarity card's value will plummet, the price for the superstar card will not change.<br /><br />The risk/reward relationship appears better for the superstar card, but the choice depends on each collector's preference or collecting focus, no?<br /><br />Edited to add: this response refers to your initial question.

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>James Feagin</b><p>OK, I actually do own the 1915 Cracker Jack Louis Evans. I purchased an example from a poorly worded ebay description for $32 a couple of months ago. I then submitted to SGC and it came back as an 84. I really like the look of the t205 and t201 set (I might want to do this set). I used the initial Matty example to see if rare high-grade would draw more interest than a common mid-grade bonifide HOFer. I wonder if my Cracker Jack common will increase over the next few years?

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>...you won't get the 40/50 T206 Matty (THAT is WHAT YOU SAID, ISN'T IT?) for $32...that's for sure (but, as has already been said, no shortage of those). Most cards, I don't care too much about condition, but Cracker Jacks in great shape as so beautiful.

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>Marc S.</b><p>It doesn't sound like you bought the CJ because you really wanted that card. Rather, as a collector, you took advantage of an opportunity. That being the case - if you have nothing truly invested in the card emotionally - just flip it and buy something you really want, Matty or otherwise.

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>dstudeba</b><p>If you are not going to start the Cracker Jack set, I would sell it. Say the card is worth $200 (I have no idea what it is worth, just hypothetical). Would you rather have the card or $200? Sounds to me like that if you were at a card show and could buy either from a dealer for the same price, you would pick up the Matty.<br /><br />Also of the little I know about Cracker Jacks, the 1915s are much easier to find in high grade since they were issued as presentations sets as well as in the boxes. Therefore the scaricity of the condition is not as great as the 1914s. Were you including PSA cards in there as well?

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>James Feagin</b><p>I admit I was being opportunistic in that situation. When I found that Evans, I was actually looking for Cracker Jack Baltimore cards. The last 1915 Federals in SGC 84 went for around $450.<br /><br />James

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>Darren J. Duet</b><p>I'd take the Matty anyday.<br /><br />BTW--I'll give you double your money on the CJ.

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>Josh K.</b><p>I would also take the matty anyday of the week over a higher grade common.

Which would you rather have?
 

Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>.Thank you, Shammus! My wrapped package and "wishlist" are gone!.......