A Tale of Two Matty's

[Runscott]

So, here are two T205 Mathewsons that sold last night...in slabs (I've cropped out the slab/grade).

Any guesses as to the final hammer price on each? (no cheating) What would they have gone for unslabbed, and if you had to have one in your collection and could never sell it, which would you prefer?

I know that's three questions, and it's all sort of rhetorical, but this does get you thinking:

[sycks22]

right = 8: $16k
left = 5.5 = $1350ish

[brianp-beme]

No answers on pricing, but I know I would rather have the one on the left, because it has great color and registration. I own a lower grade one with good color, but the registration is like the one on the right, making Matty look like he just came off a bender.

Brian

[terjung]

I too like the one on the left - largely due to the registration, but also due to the color. The condition of the left one doesn't bother me at all. Seein the width of the borders on the right image when compared to the width of the ones on the left makes me a bit suspicious of the right one. Of course, I'm a bit suspicious of any minty mint cards from 100 years ago -regardless of holder or appearance.

No idea on costs since I don't follow tobacco cards.

[Runscott]

Brian - I call those 'Franken-Matty's'

[familytoad]

Scott,
If that one on the right is truly high TPG grade, < as the clues would tend to make me believe>, it reaffirms how I like my lower grade cards better
Poor registration equals poor eye appeal and that's what its all about for most of us!!!
I wish the SGC 10 label didn't use the word "poor" when it really should say something like "worn and aged appropriately" but I digress.
My reply= Go Left!

[benchod]

The one on the right makes me dizzy
The one on the left has a much better image of Christy at probably 1/15th of the price

Well I just cheated; make that 1/50th of the price
Wow the registry and it's power. Personally I wouldn't want the one on the right at all

[shaunsteig]

I agree completely with the prior replies pointing out the brighter coloring and tighter registration of the lower graded card on the left. And in general, I wouldn't mind the lower technical grade and rounded corners in favor of its other stronger qualities. In this case, however, the corner and edge wear has caused disruptions in the gold border. I find those white flakes to take away significantly from the visual appeal of the card, particular to this series since the borders are gold (eg, if this was a T206, I don't think that the wear would detract nearly as much). For that reason, I find the right-sided card preferable.