T206 Master Back type set - how many do you have?

[brianp-beme]

Thought I would post a T206 thread because it has been a real long while since one was seen on this board.

Over the decades I have sporadically collected T206 cards, usually when they were available at a reasonable price and until relatively recently without regard to their backs. Thus I have ended up with a real nice representation of Piedmont and Sweet Caporal cards. Recently I reviewed Scot Reader's great treatise on the T206 set, and in particular his listing of the set by series print groups and the backs available within each print group. Here is what he has listed for the amount of different backs available for each print group, with a few modifications and notes:

150 Only Series (8) - seven if Old Mill does not exist

150/350 Series (12)

350 Only Series (13)

350/460 Super Prints (28) - includes Sovereign Apple Green not listed

350/460 Series (23) - includes Sovereign Apple Green not listed

460 Only Series (18)

Southern League (6)

Texas League (3)

Ty Cobb (1) - some might not consider this part of the set

Coupon T213-1 (1) - just to make Ted happy


A total of 113 backs (or so) from all the different print series would make up a master T206 back set. Let me know if I am sadly mistaken on any of this information.

I realized that, practically by accident, I have at least one example of a decent amount of these backs...56, to be exact. Because I have none of the scarce backs (or desire to fork over large amounts of cash for them), and very few in the 350/460 Super Print grouping, I probably will not get much further in a potential pursuit of Master Back type set. However, it would be interesting to me to know if anyone is pursuing such a master set, or how far along they are along on such a set, whether inadvertantly or not.

No promises of my compiling and updating any responses, ala Frank's Monster thread (sadly I have the sneaking suspicion that I am not yet retired), but who knows, maybe it is time to quit the day job.

Brian

[ullmandds]

I'm no t206 guy...but that # seems awfully high?

[brianp-beme]

Hi Pete...the total number includes all the factory designations and overprints, and heck, the six cards of the 350/460 Super Prints have 28 different back possibilities just by themselves!

Brian

[BicycleSpokes]

If by master back set, you mean one specimen of each different back variety, the number should be around 40 (depending on what you include and exclude). A printable back checklist can be found at t206.org.

The third Texas league back would be hindu, assuming the first two are piedmont and old mill.

All the best,
David


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[brianp-beme]

Hi David,

I am approaching this as from the angle of a super master set...having an example of each back from each printing run, thus the parenthetical amounts I have included in the breakdown.

Thanks for the Hindu Texas League option...the breakdown I used from Scot's list didn't indicate the third back. So now there are 113 different.

[Tao_Moko]

I think blank back has to have a home somewhere, even if it's on it's own. Just going through this in my head and this would be a pricey set.

[E93]

39 different. Missing only blue Old Mill
JimB

[tedzan]

Real nice display, Jim

And, I will round out the number of backs to 40............






T-Rex TED
.

[brianp-beme]

Jim...tough to top your collection of T206 backs. Of course, in a T206 Master Back type set, you would have to add examples of each back from each print run. For example in the Piedmont 350 back Master set you would have to have one Piedmont 350 back from one of the 144 subjects in the 150/350 print group, one P350 back from the 208 subjects in the 350 Only print group, one P350 back from the 6 subjects of the 350/460 Super print group, and one P350 back from the 55 subjects of the 350/460 print group.

Of course extrapolated out with all the different backs this takes things to the extreme...but isn't that one of the definitions of 'collector'?

Brian

[E93]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Jim...tough to top your collection of T206 backs. Of course, in a T206 Master Back type set, you would have to add examples of each back from each print run. For example in the Piedmont 350 back Master set you would have to have one Piedmont 350 back from one of the 144 subjects in the 150/350 print group, one P350 back from the 208 subjects in the 350 Only print group, one P350 back from the 6 subjects of the 350/460 Super print group, and one P350 back from the 55 subjects of the 350/460 print group.

Of course extrapolated out with all the different backs this takes things to the extreme...but isn't that one of the definitions of 'collector'?

Brian

...and there was a time when I thought obsessing on factory numbers was extreme.
JimB

[ethicsprof]

Your retirement treasure chest is looking better and better!!!
beauties and rarities abound!
congratulations,

all the best,
barry

[Sean]

Originally Posted by E93

...and there was a time when I thought obsessing on factory numbers was extreme.
JimB

Hey Jim, that's really amazing. I'm sure you've posted these before, but I don't recall seeing them. Can you post the fronts?

[mrvster]

insane! I only dream of cobb back....and the brown om is ridic!! awesome run...never get sick of seeing that

Eric + 1 on blank backs.......they are truly extremely under valued/ estimated inmho...

I hope they stay that way until I can aquire a few more

[steve B]

Of the 40 I have 31. Missing most of the usual missing ones.

I'd have to check the different runs to see on the 118? or whatever it is. I'm probably pretty close.

way back I'd been trying for one of each brand.

When I started paying attention to factory numbers just after I joined here I was surprised to find I didn't have a 649 overprint.

I'm not expecting to add any more anytime soon. Only one of the ones I need is realistically within reach.

Steve B

[Leon]

Originally Posted by E93

39 different. Missing only blue Old Mill
JimB

One of the best runs I have seen Jim. Great looking cards....I think you are still missing this one though? ....hope all is well with you...

[E93]

Thanks for the kind words everybody.
JimB

Originally Posted by Sean

Can you post the fronts?

I don't have group shot of the fronts together. Sorry. About half are HoFs.

[ullmandds]

Beautiful Jim...when I started collecting T206 backs in the 80's...that was my goal...I never succeeded...it's nice to see someone's who did!

[wolf441]

That back run is unreal Jim!! Great stuff!!

[JerryTotino]

Jim that is a fantastic run.

Wether you consider the full master set at 39 (including Cobb back) or at 38 (up to Brown Old Mill) the number of complete sets can only be around 13 or so based on the number of confirmed Ty Cobb backs and Brown Old Mill backs. I believe both of these backs stand at around 13 confirmed examples. There's always a chance some additional examples will show up, but only time will tell.

I'm almost complete with the 38 count back run. I'm only missing about 5 of the easiest backs to complete. I just haven't found examples yet that also have a front pose that I like.

I would love to add a Cobb back, but that will never happen unless I hit the lottery.

Jerry

[Sean]

Originally Posted by JerryTotino

that will never happen unless I hit the lottery.

Jerry

That's funny Jerry, I thought that you hit the lottery when you got that Brown Old Mill.