From a purely aesthetic point of view, what cards just take your breath away?

[the 'stache]

Without considering a card's rarity, value or historical significance, what cards, when you look at them, just grab your attention? Show me some cards, everybody, either from your collections, or cards you'd love to own....that you could just stare at.

When I first started collecting pre-war cards, I was immediately struck by how beautiful many of them were. They really are little works of art. I love the T206 portrait cards best of all, and out of that subset, there are a few that just blow me away every time I see them. Then, there are some that are just very interesting to me, compositionally.

These three are mine. My favorite card, still, is the T206 Walter Johnson portrait. It's absolutely perfect. A great picture with a well-centered subject, and the black collar, the off-gray of the Washington "W", the old fashioned uniform establish a wide range of dark and light. Johnson looks like baseball royalty, and I love the background color. It's one of those cards where a picture on a web page simply does not do it justice.

Another favorite is the Dutch Revelle. I've really loved this card since the first time I saw it. Revelle's card is haunting in a way. I also love the background color, as it transitions from green to blue.

The last of my three below is the Admiral Schlei. Though not a portrait, it's an interesting composition, with Schlei holding his hands apart, wearing a huge catching glove on one, waiting for the ball. The detail is astonishing, and it's contrasted with this beautiful background. Just a hint of trees appear as if they were watercolored in.



There are a lot of other cards that really grab me; the E102 Christy Mathewson, any of the T3 Turkey Red cards, the N142 Duke Cabinets, and of course, the T205 cards are spectacular. But I don't own any of these yet, so I'll wait to see who feels like sharing them.

Show me some of your favorites.

[slipk1068]

I always thought this card could be hanging in a museum somewhere. Perfect likeness of Joe Tinker, squeezing the bat like he is trying to make sawdust, cool looking uniform with his glove in his back pocket. Work of art.

[pokerplyr80]

This one isn't from my collection so I copied the picture from ebay. I couldn't figure out how to just get the front. I've always loved the way this one looks and hope to add one some day. Personally I think it's one of the best looking cards in the hobby. They sure don't make 'em like they used to.

I'm also a huge fan of the 53 Bowman Reese and although this one isn't mine I own a lower grade copy.

[Stetson_1883]

Good thread!

While there are lots of nice t206's, Ive always been captivated by the 53 Topps set, particularly the Paige....smiling, great colors. Im happy to have this one in my collection.

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by Stetson_1883

Good thread!

While there are lots of nice t206's, Ive always been captivated by the 53 Topps set, particularly the Paige....smiling, great colors. Im happy to have this one in my collection.

Royce,

Completely agree! Even though mine is SGC 10, it's still a beaut!

[asphaltman]

Always love the '14 CJ Jackson, to me this card has to be up there. My example below was of course low end, but this is one I wish I still had. Sold to a board member 5-6 years ago.

[ZiggerZagger]

Personally, I think the '53 Paige is the most attractive card ever produced, but a few others have always stuck in my mind as well. A few are in my personal collection (below), and a few are still on the list -- in particular the T227 Cobb, T3 Mathewson, E90-1 Cy Young.

Of the cards listed below, I love the snarl on the T206 Cobb -- just says everything you need to know about the man, in my opinion.

[Leon]

A good hobby friend now owns this one...

[JustinD]

4 on my list and I have 2 with 2 to go.

1953 bowman Reese - what I would have to say is the best ever.
1953 Topps Paige

And what I still need but are on the hot list -

The Goodwin Champions Anson shown earlier, the best card in an amazing set.
1933 Delong Gehrig. What will likely become of my tax return and one of the reasons I am currently building that beautiful set.

[yanksfan09]

I'm very partial to black and white sets. For me personally most D381's and T3's would fit the bill. Lot of these aren't in finest condition but I love the images....

[Exhibitman]

1954 Topps. So many great cards in that set. Mays and Snider stand out.
1955 Topps Ted Williams. Can't think of a better composition on a card. Like Teddy Ballgame's swing it is perfectly balanced.
1952 Bowman Mantle and 1953 Bowman Mantle. The 52 is beautiful and the 53 is a classic image of the kid Mickey.
1974 Topps Hank Aaron, Tom Seaver and Steve Garvey. My favorite classic 'innocent' design on the Aaron. Seaver and Garvey are perfect action cards.
1997 Topps Derek Jeter autographed insert. I pulled one from a pack and have never wanted to own any other Jeter card.
1984 Donruss Ryan Sandberg. Hell that whole set is spectacular.
T218 Jack Johnson side view. IMO the nicest T card.

[quinnsryche]

Pre-War: T206 Walter Johnson portrait
Post-War: 1953 Bowman Mantle

Have owned both, wish I still had them. The best of the best!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by yanksfan09

I'm very partial to black and white sets. For me personally most D381's and T3's would fit the bill. Lot of these aren't in finest condition but I love the images....

Great cards, Erick. FYI, your Headin' Home card came about from a clandestine deal done late at night, in a Kroger parking lot in Coppell Texas, with an 81 yr old ex-card dealer. He had 1-2 of the other Headin Homes in my previous collection and 4? E92 Red backed croft candy cards, as I recall..

[MikeGarcia]

...whenever I'm looking through my " 1929-1939 B/W big stuff " collection , it seems I always linger a bit longer over this one...

..great thread ; probably going to cause some bemused head-scratching and angst among the members.....especially that "Lefty Grove" guy...

...but I think everybody has " that one "...


...

[inceptus]

E90-1 Jordon front.jpg

[yanksfan09]

Thanks Leon, I'm happy to give it a good home. Those cards are so tough!

[SAllen2556]

Art is funny. I have no reason why, but these are mine. I'd include the t205 Cobb but it's already shown.

[kmac32]

Love my T207 cards

[mrmopar]

Probably my favorite card image ever. Love the black border and team name color contrast, horizontal action shot and the trophy. Doesn't hurt that it is a good ballplayer too.

[oldjudge]

The lithography on these cards make them appear almost three dimensional

[cardsfan73]

Everybody loves the T206 set (so do I) but I am actually some what partial to the T205 set, especially the American League cards.



Two personal favorites from the t206 set




I think every card in the T3 set is stunning!



As many have already mentioned the 1953 Bowman set is outstanding! Not my card but I hope to add one similar to my collection soon.



From the 60s I have always loved the 1967 Topps Set.

[jerrys]

Most any of these Carl Horner portrait cabinet cards.

donlin5d.jpg

farrell8uo.jpg

[tedzan]

My 50-card N162 set is my favorite...... the Anson and Kelly cards are examples of sportscards lithography at its best.






There many T206's that appeal to me. But, this one because of it's scarce AB 460 back excites me the most.







The excitement of the 1947 World Series sparked my interest in BaseBall. In 1948, Satchell Paige was the man.
Us kids emulated his double loop wind-up when we played BB (or stick-ball). This very rare 1949 LEAF card of
him is a classic.
. .




Last but not least....every time I look at this Mickey, I experience a flashback to 63 years ago this month,
when I opened a 5-cent waxpack with this Mantle included with the Hi # cards in this pack.




TED Z
.

[clydepepper]

BABE RUTH 1933 Goudey-144 SGC-70.jpg

1934 Goudey LOU GEHRIG 37 PSA-5.jpg

1935 Diamond Stars MEL OTT PSA-8.jpg

1957 Topps MICKEY MANTLE PSA-7.jpg

GEHRINGER AUTO w DIAMOND STARS Card.jpg

Love the colors on this one

[Joshchisox08]

Just a few this could go on and on and on. That Cap Anson is amazing too, I've never seen that but would love to own it.

[CW]

a couple...

[Kenny Cole]

All the cards shown are awesome. I'll add a little Latin flavor.

[The Nasty Nati]

I always loved the 1948 Leaf Ted Williams. T206-wise I love the Ed Walsh portrait and the Bill Donovan throwing pose. Donovan looks almost 3D and the sunset background is great.

[phlflyer1]

While these don't fit the definition of cards for some, I still find these the most attractive items I've had the pleasure to own.

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by CW

a couple...

I like almost any T3. I'd love to own an example and a t204.

[CMIZ5290]

This Mantle! Love this card.....

[mark evans]

My favorite card is 1957 Topps Mantle. After that, in no particular order:

1954 Topps Mays
1954 Topps Aaron
1957 Yankees' Power Hitters (Mantle and Berra)
1958 Topps Mantle

I'll confess to being biased toward cards I first discovered as a kid, including all the '58 Topps All-Star cards, as they bring back fond memories.

[egbeachley]

Great thread. I think we all have different ideas of what is stunning as I consider many of these cards ordinary. But the ones shown that stood out to me and made me stop scrolling are:

* T206 Johnson - love the yellow background and red hair contrast
* E90-1 Buck Jordan - great background
* N162 Kelly - great background
* 1923-24 Ohm card - look at that youthful face except for the eyes which appear 50 years older. It's like he is a carefree individual who has seen more than most of us can comprehend, yet carries on. I may need to google him.

My contribution. N197.........of a gladiator. How cool is that? Plus my image which is an N462 Buffalo Bill.

[vthobby]

Pack fresh beauties that I got back recently from PSA!

DSCN1003 (1).jpg

DSCN1019.jpg

[DHogan]

A T206 Mathewson white cap does it for me.

[egri]

In no particular order:

Most 1953 and 1957 Topps cards
Allen & Ginters (the originals not the Topps series)
The 1933 Goudey set
Anything postwar with members of the Boston Braves. I have a soft spot for that team. Don't know why.
The 1949 Bowman Bobby Doerr. It was the first vintage card I ever bought.

[jbl79]

A few of my favorites...

[Mikehealer]

All great cards, but Scott those fans stand out. Thanks for sharing.

[the 'stache]

One of the things that just grabs me when I look through all these cards---the color!!! God, these things are just gorgeous. The two Cobb T206s, bat on shoulder, and the bat off. With one, you have Cobb at his most intimidating. A look that would strike fear in a pitcher. The other, a pensive Cobb with his weapon of choice. Both have these wonderful backgrounds, and on the bat off shoulder, some great shadows.

That T3 Bresnahan is friggin' phenomenal. The Goudey Gehringer, too. And then there's Stan the Man, and Campy. If a gun were held to my head, and I had to pick a favorite between the T206 and the '53 Bowman sets, I don't know if I could. Certainly the T206 set is much larger. Both contain a plethora of all-time greats. But, how can you go wrong with the best photography that's ever appeared in a baseball card set? The fronts are completely unadulterated--just the men that played in the game's golden era, in those old flannel wool uniforms. And the backdrops, the great stadiums. Ebbets Field. Fenway Park. Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field and the Polo Grounds. The Bowman sets are all great, but in my humble opinion, the '53 set was their pinnacle, and they created a set that hasn't been matched since.

Then you have the black & white beauties, or cards/postcards in monotone. That Burke postcard of Hank Greenberg is a classic. I certainly hope we'll see more examples like this. We haven't seen any of the Sporting News M101-2s. Technically, they are supplements. But, we'll make an exception. Whatever moves ya!

[the 'stache]

I didn't see Jerry's post until after I'd submitted mine. Those beauties just jump off the page. That Hubbell, the Double X are wonderful examples. A good portion of my favorite Goudeys are represented in this thread already, that '34 Gehrig, and probably my favorite Ruth, the '33 bat on shoulder.

And then there's the E92 Matty, and the '52 Topps Mantle. I want all of these. I better live a really long time, because it's going to take me forever.

[Louieman]

Great thread! This one always gets to me

[the 'stache]

The Cubs could really use Kiki right now.

[Kawika]

I'll play. It's no wonder we love this hobby. So many little gems.

[the 'stache]

That Cobb knocks my socks off, David. There is nothing nearly that nice coming out today, which is a real shame. With all the advances in technology since the pre-war era, it seems we've lost some much of the artistry that made baseball cards such a joy to collect. I'm seriously debating selling my modern cards (again) to pick up some of these beauties.

And the Matty cap T206s are among my favorites cards in the set, and the entire era. Thank you for sharing.

BTW, Leon, I was remiss in not commenting on the T205 Cobb you posted. That's a set I could really enjoy collecting. I'm just having to pick and choose my battles right now. That's a real beauty!

[wolterse]

but these are just the best looking cards ever produced...

[cardsfan73]

Great thread so far!

I'll add another...Not a "card" per say but I think 1937 & 1938 Dixie Lid Premiums are stunning!

[PolarBear]

[Joe_G.]

I know I've posted this same card in similar threads in the past, but what the heck. I have a soft spot for colored mount cabinets. Combines my favorite image format (sepia photograph) with a little color (in this case gold & black). Bruce has a sweet Chickering cabinet of Duffy that delivers the same allure and then some (imperial sized cabinet).

[bobbvc]

That Luis Alvarado card is sweet! Thought it was a "Bad News Bears" outtake at first.