T205 for me for sure. I really do like both sets and have a 521 in t206 and complete master set in t205. I really like the card design of t205 vs t206 and the player info is fantastic!

As a set builder, I also believe the t205 set is a tougher build notwithstanding Wagner, Doyle, Plank and (to a lesser extent) Magie.

Either way you vote, both are fantastic but t205 will likely always be my favorite!!

I have long thought that this statement was more applicable to the N172 Old Judge cards. Am I wrong?

Not 100% sure, (I don't collect prewar...) but I've always heard it in terms of T206 since they were more colorful, and boys use to either get their dads to hand them over, or occasionally finagle them themselves. I suppose it was possible with Old Judge as well, just have never really heard that.

From a December 27th 1887 New York newspaper.

[IMG]https://photos.imageevent.com/patric..._27__1887_.jpg[/IMG]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting!

T206 vs. T205
 

David M......Don't jump to any conclusions about me :)

After I sold my complete T205 set years ago. I started doing T205 runs. Especially, of Yankees players. This Huggins run is complete (that is if no DRUM exists).

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...Piedmont42.jpg . . https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...edmont42bx.jpg

. https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...ugginsT205.jpg . . https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...Huggins25x.jpg
. . . . . . . . . . https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...nsT205ABbx.jpg . . . . . . . . . .https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...uggins25bx.jpg




https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...iedmont25x.jpghttps://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...SweetCap42.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...edmont25xb.jpghttps://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...weetCap42b.jpg




V----------------------------------- AMERICAN BEAUTY - BROAD LEAF - CYCLE - DRUM connection (A - B - C - D) -----------------------------------V
https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...205WolterX.jpghttps://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...T205Wolter.jpghttps://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...205WolterX.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...xPdPBSvSCb.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...Piedmont25.jpghttps://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...WolterT205.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...30WolterXx.jpg
Factory #649 ..................... HASSAN Factory #30



TED Z

T206 Reference
.

Definitely T205 in my book. I collect the Cubs and T206 was way to easy for me so I sold them. Have 149/ 151 possible Cubs front/ reverses. Only 2 to go.

T206 is THE monster, but I like the T205s because of the backs/short bios/stats and gold borders (which make finding nice condition cards near impossible). The problem with T205 is no Johnson, Wags and a few others.

Since Ryan posted some of the t206 big cards, I'll play (to a lesser extent, of course) with t205s....haha! I did post a t205 Chance in an 8 above as well.

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, of course, and both sets are fantastic! My lean are the gold border beauties!!

There are T205 Johnsons.... I had a PSA 7 very early on for me....bought it from Brockelman at a show. By far my biggest purchase to that time.
.

Yeah, T205 lacks Wagner, Lajoie, Plank, Crawford and others but it does have Walter Johnson (who I am assuming is the Johnson you were referring to).
I believe the T206 has 38 Hall of Famers represented by 74 cards to the T205s 27 Hall of Famers.

Fred, these are for your viewing pleasure:

Duh.... :p

Ted,
I should have known you'd have all the back combinations in the T205's as well! :D

If I were a set collector, I'd go with the T205 as it is more attainable and I love the backs. But I am mostly after Hall of Famers' cards that I think are aesthetically pleasing, with a strong preference for action shots over portraits. I think some of the most beautiful cards ever made are T206s with my favorites displayed in the picture (I picked up the Lajoie with bat from a board member).

Having 38 Hall of Famers represented by 74 cards in the T206 set compared with the 27 Hall of Famers for the T205 helps a lot too.

There are really only a few cases in which I think the T205 version of a Hall of Famer is better looking, with Home Run Baker, Bender, and Tris Speaker coming to mind.

So because I am only after a few exceptional action shot cards, my strong preference is T206, but I totally understand the allure of the T205.

t205, is a work of art

T206 & t205
 

I've preferred T206 for many years. I like how mid-grade T206's look. A little corner and edge wear is barely noticeable. T205's look sloppy with all the border chipping. However, hi-grade T205's are awesome!

Beautiful cards. I really like all things Addie Joss, and the t206 pitching is one card I hope to get someday. It's awful what happened to him. What an outpouring of love for him and his family with what was the very first All-Star Game.