Grandpa's Tobacco Cards

[Batjac1]

Hi Guys,

I am new to the forum. I have to say, I love the passion you guys bring to this hobby.

I am not in the hobby, and lost touch with the sport a long time ago. I am here because I need some expert advise. Back in 1960's, my grandfather gave me a shoebox full of tobacco and caramel cards that I put in plastic sleeves in binder, where they have sat ever since.

The collection includes; T205's, T206's, T201's, T210, T227, T49, T51, E91, E98, and E101.

Cobb, Mathewson, Johnson and other big names are represented. There's even an H. Wagner - yeah, Heinie not Honus... (I've done some of my homework.)

There are about 200 of them, in various condition, and I'm not sure what to do with them.

I was thinking of having the top ten per cent (as best as I can figure) graded and put them on the market, or since there are 115 T205's should I sell everything else and join the hobby and try to complete the T205's?

If I have them graded, do I go with SGC or PSA?

Thanks for your guidance.

[bbcard1]

it all depends on your needs and your desires...what you have is a cool thing and I am sure marketable...the better the condition, the better the price, but it is probably all fairly marketable.

What is you goal? Do you want/need money? are there any rare variants or cards in exceptional condition? Do any of the cards or sets especially appeal to you? What would you do with the proceeds of the sale that is preferable over owning the cards? Do you want to pass some on?

Lots of strategic questions and what you want before you get to the tactical ones of how to achieve it, but enjoy the opportunity to answer them. Sounds like a great find.

[wonkaticket]

Sounds like a very nice collection. I would reach out to one of the many auction houses and ask for some support and guidance. Love of the Game is one that comes to mind.

http://loveofthegameauctions.com/

Also depending when you put these in sleeves if it was done in the 70’s or early 80’s. You may want to check them. Many of the early plastic protectors had a chemical which actually damaged cards so be careful and check.

In terms of grading should you decide to get them graded. Both SGC and PSA are good choices. I like SGC but it's a personal preference.

Another option is to do a bunch research via eBay and others and use our own BST here to sell cards that you have figured out a rough value on by doing some research.

Wish you the best and keep a few if you can as they were your grandfathers.

Cheers,

John

[Batjac1]

Hey,

I didn't realize you guys have a great disdain for stories about cards passed down from "grandpa" - wish I knew that before I posted. He died in 1982. His father in law was head of maintenance in a NYC office building around 1910-1911. He had his staff pull the cards out of the waste baskets at the end of each day or so the story goes. The cards are legit. They haven't been out of my possession since I was a kid.

[tiger8mush]

sounds neat! can you post some scans?

[E93]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Sounds like a very nice collection. I would reach out to one of the many auction houses and ask for some support and guidance. Love of the Game is one that comes to mind.

http://loveofthegameauctions.com/

Also depending when you put these in sleeves if it was done in the 70’s or early 80’s. You may want to check them. Many of the early plastic protectors had a chemical which actually damaged cards so be careful and check.

In terms of grading should you decide to get them graded. Both SGC and PSA are good choices. I like SGC but it's a personal preference.

Another option is to do a bunch research via eBay and others and use our own BST here to sell cards that you have figured out a rough value on by doing some research.

Wish you the best and keep a few if you can as they were your grandfathers.

Cheers,

John

+1 on everything John said. If you go the auction route, they will usually pay to have your cards graded, or at least the representative ones that are worth grading.

Al at Love of the Game Auctions is honest and fair. He will treat you well.
JimB

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by Batjac1

Hey,

I didn't realize you guys have a great disdain for stories about cards passed down from "grandpa" - wish I knew that before I posted. He died in 1982. His father in law was head of maintenance in a NYC office building around 1910-1911. He had his staff pull the cards out of the waste baskets at the end of each day or so the story goes. The cards are legit. They haven't been out of my possession since I was a kid.

What happened? Did someone PM you with some nonsense?

In my opinion, the sale venue will depend on condition. There are different auction houses that cater to various kinds of collectors.

What E91s do you have? If I were to keep any, It would be the e101s or t210s, it all depends on taste. If you like the t205s, keep them, and welcome

[Batjac1]

What do you think?

[kmac32]

You might post some scans here which could help with any advise given

[Batjac1]

Yeah, they are in sleeves since the '70's. I need to get them out.

[kmac32]

Look nice to me

[Batjac1]

I will definately be keeping some of them.

Don't really need the cash at the moment. My passion is guitars and I have enough of them.

I don't have anyone to pass them on to who would appreciate them, and I know that you folks do, so I think I'd like to see at least some of them in the hands of folks who collect them.

I think I will get the top ones graded.

iI heard SGC is better for T cards. Is there any consensus on that out there?

[travrosty]

dont bother having them graded, its a waste of time, grading is just a scheme to collect money from people and assign an arbitrary number to a card, when we can all see what condition it is in anyway. leave them raw.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Rare backs can make BIG bucks difference!

[Batjac1]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Rare backs can make BIG bucks difference!

Got only one UZIT in the collection!

[kmac32]

Personally, my collection is in SGC slabs but that is me. I have heard that PSA may bring a little higher dollar on the flip side.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by travrosty

dont bother having them graded, its a waste of time, grading is just a scheme to collect money from people and assign an arbitrary number to a card, when we can all see what condition it is in anyway. leave them raw.

I agree, for collecting, not for selling. I seek out raw cards for my collection, most don't. It's 2013 and people collect plastic, these are the facts. Don't bother grading cards that are probably a 1 or 2, let the buyer cover the grading fee. Anything you are sending in to be graded, try to have the auction house pay for it.

[ethicsprof]

welcome aboard!
you've received some good advice.
i second the comments of Prof.JimB.
all the best to you,
barry

[Batjac1]

Originally Posted by ethicsprof

welcome aboard!
you've received some good advice.
i second the comments of Prof.JimB.
all the best to you,
barry

Hell, this fun, I might just keep them! I appreciate the advise guys.

[stewbacca]

Hang around for awhile and you will see that these guys know so much about the cards. I lurk more than post, but learn tons from the board and if you are not in a hurry to sell, you may get hooked just by the stories and info floating around here. Good luck. Stew

[dzolot]

Please post more scans - would love to see pics of the treasures you have!!

[tbob]

I may be in the minority but I would put the T205s on ebay and sell them individually. If you have a nice Matty, Johnson and Cobb in the T205s, get them graded, otherwise sell them raw. I have sold a lot of cards on ebay over the years and have consigned lots and also sets and near-sets and with nice scans and good descriptions you will make more selling them individually on ebay than as a group elsewhere. Put them on ebay on Sunday night starting in the early evening. I would also put the T210s and E98s on ebay and sell them individually. get the E98s graded if they are in nice shape, especially the Hall of Famers. The T210s will generally sell even raw. They are hot now.
Good luck!

[deadballfreaK]

My grandpa smoked cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewed tobacco etc. and I guess he threw all the stupid baseball stuff in the trash.

[EvilKing00]

If your going to sell them, no need to grade them, unless you have a 206 wagner, but that baker looks like a PSA4/SGC 50.

Im sure they will sell in no time if you put them up on ebay, if they are priced correctly. Good luck, and cool story.

[Batjac1]

Originally Posted by deadballfreaK

My grandpa smoked cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewed tobacco etc. and I guess he threw all the stupid baseball stuff in the trash.

I am guilty of the same thing - like probably many of you guys, I had my own card collection in the 60's. Yeah, and I had them all. My friends and I would buy the unopened boxes at the candy store.

Hated the gum, loved the cards.

Who knew?

Doug

[Batjac1]

Originally Posted by dzolot

Please post more scans - would love to see pics of the treasures you have!!

Here is another one (not as pretty as the others):

[Theo_450]

Looks like you have some really nice cards!
I was in a almost the identical situation you are in a few months ago.
The guys on this board are awesome and will give you very good and honest advice.

Take your time, and if you are going the auction house route, contact a bunch of them and talk to them.

Ebay is hard if you don't know what you are doing (I don't do Ebay), and if you don't have a solid seller's history.

Best of luck, and enjoy! It is a lot of fun!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Batjac1

Hell, this fun, I might just keep them! I appreciate the advise guys.

I hope you do keep them and join in our collecting reindeer games while becoming a vintage collector. It's a ton of fun with a lot of great people.

[Batjac1]

Originally Posted by Leon

I hope you do keep them and join in our collecting reindeer games while becoming a vintage collector. It's a ton of fun with a lot of great people.

That thought has crossed my mind more than I anticipated. I do have a sentimental attachment to them and the more I work with the cards compiling the spreadsheet, the more I am beginning to appreciate them.

Gramps loved his baseball. He was in the NY Yankees farm system in 1917 until his father died and he had to come home and support his mother and sisters. That was common knowledge in the family, but I haven't been able to document it. He fielded balls for the pros at the Polo Grounds and/or Ebbetts during practice, I cant remember which. That's where he got scouted.

You know, maybe I will keep the cards. He was a great guy: c.1924 below:

[ullmandds]

Welcome...great looking cards so far...unbeatable provenance and sentimental value! Keep the ones you like...sell some if u desire to fund new ones...just enjoy this awesome hobby of ours!!!

[Big Six]

I would give the B/S/T a shot first...I would personally be gunning for some of your T205s...good luck!!!

[nebboy]

Sounds like making up a T205 set with such a great start my be a great start into this hobby for you. Then you maybe can trade off some of your other cards here (net54) to help build your set.

Another T205 guy is always welcome!

[Batjac1]

Thanks John - that is what I am leaning towards right now. I bet they would look amazing as a set if displayed right.

Doug

[wazoo]

Collecting is the best, trust me! I joined this board last June, and have learned so much since then. You will too, and will also meet some great people. I say continue the set!

[CobbSpikedMe]

I think it's really great the way you are becoming interested in the cards the more you interact with them. I think the bug would really take hold if you were to continue to learn about prewar cards. You're lucky to have found the best place to discuss and learn about these things here at Net54.

Spend some time reading the posts. Search for older threads about the sets you have and follow the pick up threads to see more amazing cards. You'll get hooked and find this is a great hobby and this board is an amazing community of the most knowledgable people in it.

I hope you stick around and find it as fun as I do. Welcome to both the hobby and the board.

Best regards.

AndyH


.

[HercDriver]

It sounds like the bug is biting you! Go ahead and collect awhile, while following the discussions on this board. If later on down the road you become bored, then sell them. At least you'll be better educated. It's a heck of a start for a newbie!

Good Luck!
Geno

[Batjac1]

I have pretty much decided to keep the 115 205's, and see what's involved in completing the set moneywise. The friendliness, enthusiasm, advise and passion for the hobby and the sport I found here played a big part in that decision.

Maybe I'll sell those original John Wayne movie posters I collected over the years instead. Got about two dozen of 'em. Never did get around to building that JW memorial saloon...

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Batjac1

I have pretty much decided to keep the 115 205's, and see what's involved in completing the set moneywise. The friendliness, enthusiasm, advise and passion for the hobby and the sport I found here played a big part in that decision.

Maybe I'll sell those original John Wayne movie posters I collected over the years instead. Got about two dozen of 'em. Never did get around to building that JW memorial saloon...

My dad has a whole room devoted to John Wayne.

[Batjac1]

I am not surprised - after all you are from Texas!

Gotta Go - It's Saint Paddy's Day and "The Quiet Man" is on.

Thanks again Leon!

Doug

[grainsley]

I knew with a name like Batjac the Duke would figure in there somewhere....I used to have a John Wayne Room in my previous digs, movie-worn shirt, Winchester Commemorative 32-40, movie posters etc. Parted with most of those goodies when we moved, something had to give, and it wasn't going to be my cardboard. Hope you get severely bitten by the cardboard bug!

[T205 GB]

Welcome to the right side of the street. Those 206 collectors are crazy. Let me know what your looking for. Might even do some trading if interested

[Batjac1]

Hey Guys,

Here is a scan of the one UZIT back I have. Not in the best condition, but it's a UZIT alright.

I was ask to scan it earlier today:

[Mikehealer]

Nice Crandall, that's a tough one, don't believe I've ever seen one before.
Great story.

Take care
Mike

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by Mikehealer

Nice Crandall, that's a tough one, don't believe I've ever seen one before.
Great story.

Take care
Mike

PSA hasn't graded one.

[queencitysportscards]

Tremendous Story & Awesome Cards. I recently came across a family with T205, T206 & Mecca Double Folders. Just goes to show there is still stuff out there!

[Batjac1]

Yeah, I've got a bunch of those too.

They were my favorite cards when I first got these.

Thanks for your comments.

I sure have a lot to learn.

Regards,

Doug

[btcarfagno]

Doug,

Also don't forget that any new cards you get were once most likely collected and saved fron the scrap heap much like those your grandfather collected. Each one is a piece of history and has its own story to tell. Enjoy collecting the set!

And hey...I'm a John Wayne fan. PM me and let me know which posters you have. I may be able to help you out!

Tom C

[ullmandds]

the lenox crandall needs a bath!!!!

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

the lenox crandall needs a bath!!!!

Look once more.

[ullmandds]

what are you implying, Jake...as I may be naieve or slow!

-that there is not added paper to the back that would not soak off?

-or...is there some kind of print error I'm not seeing?