What's The Best Looking Card Ever?
 

I was going to poll an ugliest card ever but found a thread for that. So let's go the other direction, what is the single best looking pre-war card ever produced and why? Post a scan of your choice if available.:)

Some are iconic, like the Ruth. Others just draw me or capture the era, etc. This is subjective, but a great idea. On another day six different cards would appear in my top 6. I doubt I could ever choose 1.

<a href='http://img96.imageshack.us/i/cjtesreaupsa7.jpg/'><img src='http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7753/cjtesreaupsa7.jpg' border='0' alt='Image Hosted by ImageShack.us'/></a><br/> <a href='http://img199.imageshack.us/i/1915cjjohnsonpsa7cut.jpg/'><img src='http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/3507/1915cjjohnsonpsa7cut.jpg' border='0' alt='Image Hosted by ImageShack.us'/></a><br/>
<a href='http://img706.imageshack.us/i/e93leachcut.jpg/'><img src='http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7668/e93leachcut.jpg' border='0' alt='Image Hosted by ImageShack.us'/></a><br/> <a href='http://img121.imageshack.us/i/n28comiskycut.jpg/'><img src='http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/9155/n28comiskycut.jpg' border='0' alt='Image Hosted by ImageShack.us'/></a><br/>
<a href='http://img704.imageshack.us/i/t205mattypsa8cut.jpg/'><img src='http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/595/t205mattypsa8cut.jpg' border='0' alt='Image Hosted by ImageShack.us'/></a><br/> <a href='http://img704.imageshack.us/i/33goudeyruth53.jpg/'><img src='http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/1137/33goudeyruth53.jpg' border='0' alt='Image Hosted by ImageShack.us'/></a><br/>

made one change

pick a T3, really any T3.

Impossible to name just 1!!
 

While I agree it is practically impossible to name 1...for the moment...having just read a book about him...this is my favorite...and definitely a top 5 for me!

Off the top of my head...I'd also nominate CJ Johnson, e93 Matty, T205 Joss, N162 Kelly...i could go on and on!

Throwing my vote to this one. Can't imagine a more gorgeous card. (not mine)

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m.../speaker-1.jpg

Ok... how about...
 

T3 Bridwell...classic pose, great background scene...near perfect card.

Attachment 10926

Image borrowed from T3turkeyred.com.

Packs,
You stole my thunder :). I am in complete agreement with you on this one. And the T3's, there all up there.

N162 Kelly
 

N162 Kelly (don't have)...someone post a scan of this one, and you might just make some grown men drool.

Brian

T210-8 Berger (Mobile.) Unfortunately, I don't have this card anymore, or a scan. Other than that, I would say the T206 Johnson portrait or E90-1 Oakes.

OK here's a classic!

http://www.qualitycards.com/pictures/12262458.jpg

totally agree with any T3!.....and agree with most other cards already shown. I would also like to add Cracker Jack Cobb, T206 Cobb (Bat Off)(Mine doesn't do it justice), T206 Keeler, and W. Johnson Portrait. A rare fave from my collection would be the D381 Mathewson (My Icon) (not to scale). There's so many others, too many to list. I couldn't even attempt to narrow it down to 1...

tied with the '34 Gehrig,

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3.../e95Cobb-1.jpg

Here's another great looking T3 even the commons are fantastic.

http://www.qualitycards.com/pictures/30808955.jpg

I also always loved the look of the E97 Keeler. He just looks so relaxed and cool. I don't own this one either but would love to one day. From VCP

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m...ams/keeler.jpg

How about best looking Black & White
 

Love this Ruth card -

great idea for a thread
 

Great idea for a thread....I have to put the square frame Ramlys up there somewhere...

http://luckeycards.com/pt204bancroft3typesx3.jpg

1911 Zeenut Halla.

A few board members have one. I'll let them show it if they are so inclined, as I don't want to grab the image from one of their websites.

Any number of T3's could be in the running, as well.

Absolutely the best
 

Hard to choose one, either Anson or Kelly N162 cards are sportscard lithography at it's best.

Note the colorful sunset in Anson's background....was the artist implying that Anson was approaching
the "sunset" of his career in 1888 ?

And, note the stormy clouds behind Kelly....is this an artistic rendering of his "stormy" personality ?


<img src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/abn162ansonkelly.jpg" alt="[linked image]">



TED Z

&nbsp;

For one reason or another I have always loved the pose on the D380-1 Square Frame of Osborn. It pictures him reaching for a ball over the fence with spectators sitting there. I don't own the card but I will someday. I don't have a scan handy but I'm sure I can come up with one. The T3's really are beautiful (some very notable exceptions though, I HATE the T3 (and T206) Sleepy Bill Burns w/ glove on backwards--it just ruins the image)
-Rhett

by the way Rob, why are posting pictures of Dudes in their underwear?

Here's another candidate.
 

I particularly loved seeing the T3 Cobb and McIntyre cards posted above. This one never gets talked about, but I think the subtle pastel colors are unsurpassed. Plus, I like the depiction of the Mushroom Bat...

Check out my Avatar...
 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nf2xJ-P1HZJ8xKigniw8cw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Ys7fw31kTDs/RouvhE_nEgI/AAAAAAAAAmc/5zE6s2_pCv4/s800/MathewsonThrowingDarkCapSGC60.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/pmifsud3d/SGCGradedCards?feat=embedwebsite">SGC Graded Cards</a></td></tr></table>

...and I ain't talkin' bout the latest James Cameron flick.....

Bump to keep this thread going. All these cards so far are amazing.
jimB

agreed
 

This could be the best thread in a long time, right next to the Archive lawsuit one :D. This card posted for Joe T....

1930s wheaties issues
 

One of my all time favorites. I think the wheaties issues from the '30s are spectacular.

My two favorite cards.

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...ns/bucsc42.jpghttp://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...0HughDuffy.jpg

Leon,
I want that card.
JimB:eek:

There's More Pretty (Cards) Than One
 

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nL5blvAZzGA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nL5blvAZzGA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...10_Stengel.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...20Ruth%202.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...93%20Leach.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...6%20Merkle.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...4CJ%20WaJo.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...ze/DMcD257.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_...4%20Grange.JPG

. . . plus all of the above.

No one's posted a 1911 Obak yet?

http://www.jimonym.com/Obaks.jpg

Crappy photos,great cards!!!:D

best
 

the angelic T206 Walter Johnson.

best,
barry

I love these T206's, but agree that there are many cards nicer than this set, but these 4 can stand next to most with pride:
<a href="http://s588.photobucket.com/albums/ss329/upperhandisforemost/?action=view&current=T206CollinsOMPSA5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss329/upperhandisforemost/T206CollinsOMPSA5.jpg" border="0" alt="T206 Collins OM PSA 5"></a><a href="http://s588.photobucket.com/albums/ss329/upperhandisforemost/T206%20Backs%20Line%20Current/?action=view&current=T206UzitMerkleThrowfront.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss329/upperhandisforemost/T206%20Backs%20Line%20Current/T206UzitMerkleThrowfront.jpg" border="0" alt="T206 Uzit Merkle Throwing SGC 40 front"></a>
<a href="http://s588.photobucket.com/albums/ss329/upperhandisforemost/T206%20Backs%20Line%20Current/?action=view&current=T206EPDGJohnsonPortfront.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss329/upperhandisforemost/T206%20Backs%20Line%20Current/T206EPDGJohnsonPortfront.jpg" border="0" alt="T206 EPDG Johnson Port SGC 40 front"></a><a href="http://s588.photobucket.com/albums/ss329/upperhandisforemost/T206%20Backs%20Line%20Current/?action=view&current=T206HinduMattyFront.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss329/upperhandisforemost/T206%20Backs%20Line%20Current/T206HinduMattyFront.jpg" border="0" alt="T206 Matty Hindu Front"></a>

Nice thread, as I start looking for something new to work on next summer.
HOHOHO,
Bob
upperhandisforemost@yahoo.com

Thanks Bob.
 

great looking angel.


best,
barry

I've always been partial to the T227 Cobb, although it's unlikely that I'll ever own one. :(

http://www.vintagecardprices.com/pics/54928.jpg

Going with all Joe Jackson's!
Cracker Jack
Boston Garter
T210
H801-8/E135

Oooooooooooooooh-Bak!!!
 

I own a few fistfulls of obaks...and while the players tend not to be very exciting...you can't dispute their beauty...those obaks are awesome!!!!!

Rose PCs
 

So many, but three I don't have that I think are truly perfect are-

E95 Cobb, has a magical look
T206 Cobb Batt Off pure classic baseball

Merkle from E93 or E95 not sure which set it is but very cool classical card

I don't have a horse in the race. So I scanned through all the picks real quick. Kept saying no, no, no, no, no, no, no..the whole way except I stopped twice.

Bridwell T3 and the Kelly, Anson N162's.

What is with the E-cards? Not even close!

I love the T206 Cobb Batt-Off Shoulder.

I don't have one, so I can't post a pic.

Also love any of the 19th Century B/W Cabinets of players in action poses. I think I'll start collecting those. . .

T206 Lajoie with bat, Cobb bat off are classics.
jimB

3 Odd Choices from my collection...
 

For some reason I really love the way these 3 cards of mine look:

#1
http://centuryoldcards.com/images/1933r340ruth.jpg
Green border/plaque R309-1/R340 Babe Ruth
(image is far superior to the normal R309-1)


#2
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/...351c7a9725.jpg
N162 Glasscock

Best looking card ever...
 

This is not mine (LOL, I wish!!!)...

The Cobb pose with the deep red background is absolutely striking!

45 posts and not a single mention of the N142 Duke Cabinets. How can you beat those?

What, no love for PC's?? Beauty at it's best and it's Cobby's pose found on his Crackerjack card to boot!

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95...bbypc796-3.jpg

I'll also throw in my vote for the E90-1 or T216 Speaker:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ttonCigsTy.jpg


Coming in next would be a tossup between these:

Cobb (standing) from E101, E102, E106, T216:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...-102CobbTy.jpg

The Matty (horizontal):
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...yAnonymous.jpg

the E90-1 Rebel Oakes:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...canCaramel.jpg

the E90-1 Young:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ngCyBoston.jpg



And a personal favorite of mine:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...hagPiedm-1.jpg
(LONG LIVE T206!)

I'm with Josh and perhaps others . . .

I believe the "best looking cards ever" reside with the photographic cabinet cards found on colored mounts. Here is one of my favorites from Goodwin & Co., a black mount with gold gilded edges and print/advertising. I'm partial to real photographs and enjoy the extra color provided by the colored mounts. Goodwin & Co. had the recipe right some 120 years ago.

My faves
 

As originator of this thread I would like to say WELL DONE to all participants! It's great for some of us with limited collections and funds to get to see all these great cards from top notch collections. Although I don't have either one (but hope to someday) my vote goes for the T206 Johnson Port. followed closely by the T3 Bridwell. Let's keep this one going as long possible!
Thanks to all,
Tony

I think it is hard for some of us to know the real beauty of some of the cards because we have never held them in our hands and may never. There is a special feeling when it is your card and it is rare. I hope our members know how lucky they are to be able to afford these rare treasure that they hold. There are some collectors out there that are just as happy with there cheap card that was hard for them to get and I believe that is what makes this hobby so special. Thanks to all for sharing you treasures. D.

A few that haven't been mentioned that I think should be: N173 Ewing with mascot, T-3 Brown, and that unissued Felix Mendelsohn card of Matty.

the matty throwing lajoie w/bat cobb leaning on bat pose w/yellow background is boss imo...

(congrats to winner of card below)
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...nimir/cobb.jpg

Best with respect to era
 

The best of 19th Century lithography


<img src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/Champions3.jpg" alt="[linked image]">




Early 20th Century

<img src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/awjohnson-1.jpg" alt="[linked image]">



Wartime BB and war cards

<img src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/tz1234zaz/a1941playballtwjd1943.jpg" alt="[linked image]">

Mid 20th Century best

<img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt113/zanted86/1949bowmanmusuial.jpg" alt="[linked image]">


<img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt113/zanted86/bowman51tedw52musial.jpg" alt="[linked image]">


<img src=" http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt113/zanted86/1953berramantlesnider.jpg" alt="[linked image]">


TED Z

Beautiful black mount N173, Joe.

Ted,
I completely agree on the '51 Bowman Williams. A real classic!
JimB

best looking card
 

Don't have mine scanned but always liked the T206 Speaker and the '41 PlayBall DiMaggio

I've always liked the T207 of Becker. It looks to me like he is sitting in the dugout waiting for the rain to stop.

I'm partial to my own T205 Wheat

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u.../WheatT205.jpg

For Rhett
 

Here you go Rhett. I agree with you it is a phenomenal card, and made me get a bunch of others in the set. This, the Hogan I showed and the T212-1 Mohler are all up there. I didn't show the Mohler since it would have ended discussion on what I believe is a great thread.

http://www.baseballcardresource.com/...0_Osborn_A.jpg

I've always liked this card of Vic Saier

http://www.t207.com/images/t222/saier.jpg

Dan, thanks for posting the Osborn, it's a simple card but it is perhaps my favorite card out there, I mean how many other pre-1920's cards actually show fans as part of the card while the player is in action? Great card!

Bill, your avatar made me laugh again! I can't help it every time I see 'ole Sarah Rhodes it makes me laugh.
-Rhett

T212-1
 

Dan & Rhett,

The shadow on that Osborne adds an additional dimension to a very unique card... Fans, Fencing, Glove, Shadow, pose, etc.

It's all good - Thanks for sharing - Cool Card.

JJ

Something sinister about this one, but such a great card.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/2922231298/" title="1953 Bowman by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2922231298_a9aae8c339_o.jpg" width="741" height="450" alt="1953 Bowman" /></a>

My Favorite.....out of my collection.

I have to go with the Cracker Jack Joe Jackson.

Classic pose, great colors, popular set.

A lot of those T206 portraits are sure nice but I like action poses more :-D

James G

Joe Jackson CJ or SN
 

Joe CJ or Sporting News works for me...

I love this thread...Not surprisingly , my fave is...
 

a Cobb !

Re: What's The Best Looking Card Ever?
 

Dan,
You beat me to the punch on the D380. I'm glad that the card eventually found its rightful home.

Was looking through my Cobbs and thought of these
 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/2910089238/" title="T205 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2910089238_a39f404fd4_o.jpg" width="450" height="769" alt="T205" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvindog/2909241541/" title="1911 Series of Champions T227 by calvindog65, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2909241541_c8d99e3bb0_o.jpg" width="450" height="761" alt="1911 Series of Champions T227" /></a>

Red Border Colgans Cobb
 

tycobbfanatic - incredibly tough red boarder Colgan's Cobb you have. I was outbid on one about a year ago from ebay - is this the that particular one? A little voice told me to put in a BIG bid, didn't do it, alas, would have loved to own it.

I believe to be the same one ,although I had to buy it from the Ebay winner
 

at a premium. Sometimes , there are cards you just have to have. Jeff , always happy to see nice Cobbs. :) My T227 Cobb is also one of my faves.

hands down: CJ Walter Johnson. The greatest card created in the history of card creation.


Honorable mention to:
e90-1 Speaker (love, love, love, love it)
CJ Speaker
N300 Duffy
T206 Red Cobb

Something about this image.

Sue me, it's one of my favorite cards
 

Speaking of modern cards, I don't have a scan handy, but the 77 Topps Fisk is absolutely awesome.

Superb cards!!!
 

Calvindog,

That t227 Cobb is incredible!