IMHO, the ultimate "take-your-breath-away" card is the very first card pictured in this thread. Here are a couple more WaJos that are eye candy to me (yes, I do wish the T204 were in better condition!):

A random assortment of some of my favorites:

There's only one card that's ever going to take my breath away. The scratch off lottery card that wins 10k a week for life. That would do it.

Nice cards, guys.

Luke, I really like the Jimmy Collins T206. One of the best portrait cards in the set.

I don't have the card..but isn't that T206 ty cobb bat off a heck of a nice card...

Jake, it's one of my very favorites, not only from the Monster, but from the entire pre-war card era. As I mentioned before, I like both Cobb "with bat" cards from the set quite a lot. Before I draw my last breath (God willing many Milwaukee Brewer World Series victories later!), I will own at least one of them, if not both. These are from PSAcard.com. I just resized them in Photoshop.

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/2053/rfCDND.jpg

ziggerzagger,

love the lou gehrig 34 goudey you pictured. i do not have my cards anymore but fondly remember the 34 gehrig.

also the r312 national chicle premiums with their great pastels were easy on the eyes. wish they had done gehrig in r312.
1941 play balls were quite a treat also along with 52 topps, 57 topps, and 67 topps.
all the best,
jsq

I hope you guys will indulge me as I post a few more, again from the PSA card site.

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/4372/VcbaWM.jpg

T202 Cobb Steals Third. I love the juxtaposition of the black and white shot of Cobb sliding and the tobacco portrait bookends. Great eye appeal.

http://imageshack.com/a/img910/4438/DIESvI.jpg

Speaking of eye appeal, these three T206 portraits have it in abundance. Ginger Beaumont, Napolean Lajoie and Nap Rucker. The Rucker, especially, is beautiful in person. Mine isn't quite this nice, but has good eye appeal for a PSA 2.

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/5281/dVevqF.jpg

Finally, three from the iconic '53 Bowman set. Two Hall of Fame sluggers, Eddie Mathews and Ralph Kiner, and a Cooperstown twirler, Warren Spahn.

Classic leather helmet pose of the "Galloping Ghost"

I can't believe no one posted this one yet. Best T205 by far.

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Ite...1189a_med.jpeg

Attachment 209429

My favorite in 1978. My favorite in 2015.

A few of my faves, signed and unsigned...
 

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OpHU5ozjPOcs3P-3zUCw20bbPrYp6YHrRqcN_cfzkkQ?feat=embedwebsite"><i mg src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hK7oRCU3WUA/U-wQbsy2tSI/AAAAAAAAiYE/jIY4YomdH_k/s800-Ic42/Cobb_Green_SGC_50.jpg" height="800" width="490" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-8XVAj9gJP9iym1tuBEwgEbbPrYp6YHrRqcN_cfzkkQ?feat=em bedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FBbI_Xc6hOg/U-lk8dY_OiI/AAAAAAAAhHA/2PN_e55n8PQ/s800-Ic42/Cobb_Red_SGC_60.jpg" height="800" width="486" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/o4XVMbD1nuraWJToUu7Zd0bbPrYp6YHrRqcN_cfzkkQ?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R4TcCDApCxI/TKyDhhpA6TI/AAAAAAAAilM/1jYtKzWBQiE/s800-Ic42/MathewsonPortraitSGC80.JPG" height="800" width="507" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9JThsZG2x8u9YDxbx6mrFDiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iQ_phCjfIIU/S7FELuCjRqI/AAAAAAAAgFM/w3YRUOCq0os/s800-Ic42/Clarke%252520Batting%252520Auto%252520SGC%25252010 .jpg" height="800" width="499" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iVXWEz_OSRpmQm3cPgM96jiJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ScLDMNA6TAY/S7FELIol4BI/AAAAAAAAHw8/XGG2B4Pc7l0/s800-Ic42/Doyle%252520Portrait%252520Auto%252520SGC%25252080 .jpg" height="800" width="502" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u7yzFoHmAvkYs5jlgj3rvziJm_Z5QsNdec5_I7WHZRE?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kLFAUPqvv0I/UrzXQZIZjPI/AAAAAAAAYME/vvgXXJkiMqA/s800-Ic42/Rucker_Throwing_PSADNA.jpg" height="800" width="472" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MGDqtHeruvsXB7p5HHbugFA8SgS61zv0G9_pglii9K8?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V2EgLe0OEuQ/VBmiOwwjfHI/AAAAAAAAjY0/jgEG_0MwkYg/s800-Ic42/220_Grove_SGC_60.JPG" height="800" width="499" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l21KbszBvm-atvUKl8_sLHY2VLgy2RG_a1rPg51wK6M?feat=embedwebsite "><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTXVNE7BQqw/RxQJrHtTkAI/AAAAAAAAjB0/Wgjr0MQp8pU/s800-Ic42/Wheat%252520T201%252520Auto%252520SGC%25252050.jpg " height="800" width="445" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nLcEG4mEOvZzbmTtYsWbQ4RT3dysq2WPtX5u9gk-z0Y?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7jZJeYKpyDs/VG02x2LSJ4I/AAAAAAAAlf0/VYNA2aeRD9c/s800-Ic42/Marquard_CJ_SGC_AUT3.jpg" height="490" width="800" /></a>

This combination
 

<a href="http://s150.photobucket.com/user/T206ster/media/Cobb%20ndash%20Bat%20Away_zpsuxzcdupg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/T206ster/Cobb%20ndash%20Bat%20Away_zpsuxzcdupg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Cobb ndash Bat Away_zpsuxzcdupg.jpg"/></a>

Not mine, and I'm content in knowing it never will be. Too many factors (cost, gift from a parent, etc.) to ever have it leave the family it is with now, but still a beauty that would be the jewel of my collection.

really love this card...the color is awesome...great idea to do it in landscape.

http://photos.imageevent.com/uffda51...oundAlbum.jpeghttp://photos.imageevent.com/uffda51.../Beaneater.JPG

Here are a couple. One in color, one sepia, which Joe G. referred to earlier.

Please allow me to drop a modern marvel
Attachment 209488

Great action shot, Yankees/Red Sox. Maybe the catchers just have it easy...

That Duffy is haunting.

This image always grabbed me...

Similar to the popular E90-1 Joe Jackson with its "leaning on bat" pose, this Cobb card has a bit more attitude -- Cobb just chillin' in the on deck circle waiting his turn, cap tipped back, maybe yelling the occasional obscenity at the opposing pitcher. I also like the small touch the artist added with the darker yellow brush strokes in the background.

I'm guessing many on this thread have never seen this card because it's so recent. No, it doesn't compare to a Turkey Red or Sporting Life in terms of value, but from an eye appeal standpoint, I think it belongs in the "breathless" category.

Personally, I always thought '55 Topps were gorgeous--just check out the Robinson, Aaron, Banks and the rest--absolutely beautiful cards!

Good thread,

Larry

Here one of mine.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img674/903/Eesn8r.png

Sam Crawford throwing, a real beauty of the Hall of Famer.

One more from the 1953 Bowman set. The second oldest living Hall of Famer, Monte Irvin (he's 96). This one came from a B&L auction win.

http://imageshack.com/a/img905/2815/YcwLON.jpg

Out of the (not very many) baseball cards I have, I'd put my 1934 Goudey of Lefty Grove at the top. Out of the sets out there, from which I have only the Mel Ott, I am a huge fan of the very cartoonish 1934-1936 Diamond Stars.

Not my card, but look at this wonderful example.

Attachment 209613

And not baseball at all, but I am a fan of Liebig trade cards. Between 1872 and 2001, they put out over 1800 different sets. Nearly all have wonderful artwork, and the range of topics is amazing. Here is one from 1906 (Astronomers, Series 1) that I have 4 of the 6 cards from.

Attachment 209615

Really like this one...
 

This is a really nice Cobb.

Love it!!

Here is a card I think is just beautiful. How do you beat that?
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11...df846d458d.jpg

T5 Jax & E94 Violet Cobb
 

A couple of my favorites....

During one of these kinds of threads, someone loaded up a postcard, or cabinet card, of the entire 1905 New York Giants baseball team, seated and standing on a staircase at possibly a train station, or perhaps inside the Polo Grounds at the stairway to the upper deck of the grandstands. They were dressed in their uniforms, if I recall. Just seeing Matty and Iron Man Joe McGinnity was so moving. This is a subtle plea for an owner of this rare card to load 'er up on here once again!

Twas an image you just don't forget.;)

53 Campy
 

The one card that has always kept me in awe is the 53 Campanella. The rich burgundy background along with his vibrant facial expression is a thing of beauty.

http://www.vintagecardprices.com/pics/68278.jpg

The simple elegance of this one really gets me every time I look at it. Probably my favorite card in my collection.

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/...pshkirskfr.jpg

Oh, what riches my eyes have feasted upon. There is still plenty abroad in the land, as these jewels have revealed. Virtually all of my favorites have been revealed, but here are a couple of honorable mentions:
1. Texas Tommy Joe Jackson. Same 'photo as the Pinkerton, but check Joe's uniform, virtually spotless, which, I guess, means it was a posed shot. I think the Tommy is a bit rarer than the T5.
2. Cracker Jack Tris Speaker - Res Ipsa Loquitor
3. T206 Foley White - Check the expression on Foley's face, " ok kid, that's enough, now give me the ball back."
If any kind soul could post a scan, I would be grateful. Tks. John

I have always loved the images from the Texas Tommy set. Three of my favorites:

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/y...psaujylj7i.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/y...psjz7q5tnm.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/y...pskcaiyquw.jpg

Tom C

Might not be the intent of the OP, but I find the drastic front miscuts incredibly cool and visually appealing.

Does the 1933 Goudey Paul Richards remind anyone else of Ray Kinsella's father in the same pose in 'Field of Dreams'?
.
.

the card I really find the most attractive is the 1914 cj Mathewson but I don't own one.

Holy sh*t. I think you just cracked the code on why I love the look of that card so much. Great observation. It's also one of the very few cards in the whole set that is not a deliberate pose/portrait or an "action shot" of someone batting, throwing, fielding. There's a voyeuristic quality that is unique to that card. It's stunning.

Raymond- great call. Beautiful (candid) pose. One of my favorite movies.

Get a lump in my throat just thinking about it.
http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...20Richards.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...384816_1.1.jpg

Me too, David. The final scene always gets me.

What a difference the year make! The 1951 Bowman of Paul Richards has none of this sublime beauty!!

Bringing this thread back around. The Goudey's have always been favorites of mine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psntq1bxnv.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psttasfl80.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psllnit8yh.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps1e20f71j.jpg

Absolutely !

These are a couple of my favorites.

here is mine
 

hornsby

*From a purely aesthetic point of view:

N173
T3
High grade T200
High grade T222
High grade 1933 Goudey

Sweet cards
 

Those are some great Goudey's you have there. The Mantle really pops too. Amazing centering on all of them! They all look so much better than the grades given. My type of cards!

E94 Violets
 

Love the violet backed E94's...

Love 'em Pete.....(and all the others too, guys!!)

ps...my new pursuit might be "great cards which are well centered, AND i LOVE, type collection"

http://photos.imageevent.com/ruckers...ize/lajoie.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/ruckers...ze/donovan.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/ruckers...2Schaeffer.jpg

Always liked this one...

Great thread guys...thanks for the posts. This reminds me of one of my favorite sayings, there are two types of baseball cards....ones i have and ones i want.
unfortunately 99.9% of these are in the latter category.

The 53 Bowman Color Reese is my favorite. No better action shot anywhere.

I am resurrecting this old thread because 1) there are some INCREDIBLE cards posted here, and 2) a lot of the posts and comments are by folks who, sadly, for whatever reason, don't post anymore.

Nine years is a mighty long time to hold off from making a comment about a post, but the below card just shows the difference 50 years makes in relation to the fans in the stands...they almost all seem to be watching the game, and are not on their phones or talking to the person next to them.


Brian (an additional astute observation is that absolutely no one seems to have a cell phone either)

Pre-war: Wagner and Cobb about to do battle at the 1909 World Series.
Post-war: Mantle looking toward a to be chartered future.

The Kid , Pre-War & Post-War :
 

..http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/204295...YAGAIN_NEW.JPG

..It's hard for me to find a Teddy Ballgame card which isn't mesmerizing Like this 1941 Wheates Premium from The Jack Armstrong "The All-American Boy" Radio Program :
.
Even his error cards :
.
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/204295...YDOERR_NEW.JPG

One I have:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...eball_1958.png https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...01245556PM.png

A favourite player in an excellent shot from one of my very favourite sets! The 1958 Topps do have my very favourite Baseball card backs.

And two I don't have:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...27060RepFr.jpg

Not just Maris' rookie card but with the Cleveland Indians!

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...ince/64992.jpg

A favourite player in a very good pose from perhaps my very favourite Baseball card set.

:cool:

These are some of the cards that aesthetically make an asthmatic out of me.

Brian (I am inclined to lose my breath with sunsets, beautiful colors whether bright or subdued, great compositions, and crystal clear black and white photos. Ran out of scan space, otherwise would have included the 1933 Goudey of Paul Richards, an excellent example of a beautifully colored card with great compostion)

Deleted

https://photos.imageevent.com/rucker...waddell1_1.jpghttps://photos.imageevent.com/rucker...allace_1_1.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/rucker...ze/schmidt.jpg

Here's a couple I like. The hint of a Washington Monument is a nice touch:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f750c6d308.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4aa812f2e6.jpg

Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

I have always found the rolling up any junk era St Louis Crapinal card and shoving each end up my nostrils like a nose ring takes my breath away or at the least, makes it harder to breathe.

The 1958 Topps Warren Spahn is one of the most gorgeous cards of all time. I think it's his best card ever.

I love the red borders and B/W pictures of the T210s and also am quite fond of these 2 T212 Weed cards. The Shoeless card is a reprint. The T210s are the entire Ft Worth team set. Then I have 5 different T210 Jackson cards.

:rolleyes:

These are probably my 3 favorite Jackie Robinson cards.

Love those Cubans, Kenny. Don, that Alvarez is a favorite of mine. David, that Halla is a beast.

Ugly?
 

Just got this one, I've always liked the strong cloud colors for some reason. Can't pick out an art style to compare it to.

Attachment 636349

It is a special card...strong cloud colors are quite compelling.

This post gives me a good excuse to show the 1933 Goudey of Paul Richards. No bold sky colors, not my card, and I know it has been shown previously nine years ago, but that was so nine years ago, and I love the image which captures such a serene, commonplace baseball scene (based upon an actual photograph of Richards, which member Kawicka shared with us on post #122 of this thread), as well as the artistic use of the converging lines of perspective with the baselines, grass, and the field level grandstands.

Brian

It is a fantastic card, sir. This one, and Lou Gehrig, are among the best cards ever in terms of artistry, IMO, from one of the greatest sets ever. I have often wondered what compelled Goudey to change and practically disappear after 1934.

Simply love the colors and pose on these two. Always been my favorites.

Bill

A few favorites from my collection
 

Here are a few of my favorites!

Patrick

I think the 1909 Sweet Caporal hockey postcards are the most stunning set. In baseball, i am partial to the N162s (and non-baseball in that set too), and i find the duke cabinets just beautiful as well.

What a nice cavalcade of cards so far. This will be my second contribution to this resurrected thread. My criteria for aesthetics is that the card in question makes my eyeballs happy. For various and diverse reasons each of the following does that.

https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika...%20Schmidt.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika...5_1_259984.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika...s%20Molina.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika...209_Martin.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika...4201305311.jpg

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...eball_1958.png

Oh absolutely! It edges out this other Warren Spahn card I have in my collection:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...lly_Harris.png

:cool:

Here are my favorites
https://live.staticflickr.com/4217/3...ec0ae9a7_w.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/1855/4...2a4b00d6f6.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8a9515a7_w.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...13d615cc_n.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...24e35ca8_w.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a7a499ae_w.jpg