What Larry Doyle Is Trying To Tell Us About T206 Relative Scarcity

[T206Collector]

Picked up my fourth signed T206 Larry Doyle (Throwing) today. As many of you know, Doyle's throwing pose is often called a "toughie" because it can only be found in the 150 Series. True to form, each of these is a 150 -- 3 Sweet Caps and 1 Piedmont.

But if this card is really such a "toughie," why is it seemingly harder to find Doyle's other poses autographed? I've only seen a couple of signed portrait and batting poses. But, it sure seems like I've seen a ton of these throwing poses autographed -- and the four I have in my collection are proof positive.

Doyle Throwing may only be found in Series 150, but Doyle himself had no trouble finding plenty of these on which to sign his name.

[FrankWakefield]

Interesting observation. One that could have been missed by most everyone.

Reckon that the throwing image is his 'first' card, and that either ATC or American Litho sent him a bunch, maybe at his request, or maybe without him having to request them... Once he has cards in hand he'd be more likely to sign them.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

Interesting observation. One that could have been missed by most everyone.

Reckon that the throwing image is his 'first' card, and that either ATC or American Litho sent him a bunch, maybe at his request, or maybe without him having to request them... Once he has cards in hand he'd be more likely to sign them.

Perhaps, but these lovelies were almost certainly signed post-1960.

[atx840]

All I want for christmas is....just one signed card

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by atx840

All I want for christmas is....just one signed card

You can call me Grinch, I guess. I am always open to trades, but I tend to value these MUCH higher than most.

[alanu]

Maybe they were a special pack insert, I'm surprised they aren't serial numbered.... I think I've opened too many modern packs

[cfc1909]

my only 206 auto

Doyle1.jpg

[packs]

To complete the trifecta

[sreader3]

I can't speak to the number of auto'ed Doyles but the PSA pop report suggests that the throwing pose is the most difficult.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by sreader3

I can't speak to the number of auto'ed Doyles but the PSA pop report suggests that the throwing pose is the most difficult.

I understand that is the conventional thinking based on grading submissions. But my experience collecting signed T206s over the past decade suggests that collectors have had more or at least similar access to the throwing pose over the past century. (I would also add that in putting together my "complete" T206 set a few years ago, I found the throwing pose to be of no great difficulty as well.)

[Exhibitman]

Or maybe Doyle was the Bob Feller of his time.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Perhaps, but these lovelies were almost certainly signed post-1960.

I don't think that invalidates the previous theory - Doyle might have had a pile of them stashed for years.

I think it's great that you collect autographed T206's - I wish I had thought of it many years ago when they could be found. Are you saving the extras for trade-bait?

[Sterling Sports Auctions]

Maybe the cards came from one collection that were all signed prior to the release of the 350 series, some kids favorite player.

Lee

[packs]

They wouldn't be signed in ball point pen if they were signed during his playing days.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Or maybe Doyle was the Bob Feller of his time.

Perhaps, but Marquard is a better fit!

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I don't think that invalidates the previous theory - Doyle might have had a pile of them stashed for years.

I think it's great that you collect autographed T206's - I wish I had thought of it many years ago when they could be found. Are you saving the extras for trade-bait?

The cards were sent by collectors, usually one at a time. The only "cards" the old players handed out were coupons for The Glory of Their Times, and sometimes small black and white photos. Late in his life Snodgrass wrote that he averaged about three thru the mail auto requests per week.

I dont really consider my dupes to be extras -- each one is unique! However, if I have dupes of a signed pose, I do consider trade offers of all kinds. Whenever possible, I try to trade for signed T206s I dont already have.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

The cards were sent by collectors, usually one at a time. The only "cards" the old players handed out were coupons for The Glory of Their Times, and sometimes small black and white photos. Late in his life Snodgrass wrote that he averaged about three thru the mail auto requests per week.

I dont really consider my dupes to be extras -- each one is unique! However, if I have dupes of a signed pose, I do consider trade offers of all kinds. Whenever possible, I try to trade for signed T206s I dont already have.

I know. But Doyle might have had a pile of that particular card, and sent them out when autographs were requested with no card included. We weren't around, so tough to say exactly what any individual player might have done differently from what we think was the norm. Crawford used to hand out HOF postcards. Other players are documented to have ordered piles of their favorite photos from Burke, for signing and mailing out to requestors. Not every autograph hunter mailed a government postcard or T206 to their favorite players.

[jdmeltz]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

The only "cards" the old players handed out were coupons for The Glory of Their Times, and sometimes small black and white photos.

Back in the early seventies when I was collecting through the mail autographs of old timers, I would request a photo.

One of the players I wrote to sent me a black and white reproduction of his T206 card that he had signed. It was the size of a real T206 and both the front and back were reproduced.

I'm not sure if he had the card reproduced himself, and sorry, I can't remember who it was!

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by jdmeltz

Back in the early seventies when I was collecting through the mail autographs of old timers, I would request a photo.

One of the players I wrote to sent me a black and white reproduction of his T206 card that he had signed. It was the size of a real T206 and both the front and back were reproduced.

I'm not sure if he had the card reproduced himself, and sorry, I can't remember who it was!

That is a great story!! Thank you so much for sharing!!