What is the Best Looking Vintage Card?
 

My favorites 19th Century cards are Allen & Ginter Ward and Goodwin King Kelly. These are true works of art. But, I'm not just asking about non-photo cards, any that you find very cool!

my answer is always the same...

That's a Good One-
 

I just sold my GU Bat card with that as the base

Lajoie T3. Most any T3 really but the Lajoie is in a class by itself.

Tom C

Kalamazoo Bats O'Rourke is one of my favorites

All Great so Far -
 

here's another one of mine:

Attachment 146076

...and Kalamazoo Bats -Denny Lyons
 

Attachment 146077

Denny Lyons- Played albeit briefly for the Columbus (GA) Stars way back in 1885.

Too many to choose from. Just one current from ones I own. Though I'm also on board with Lajoie t3.

http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1401168790

... amd RAMLY Cliff Blankenship:
 

Attachment 146078

While scouting Clyde Milan for the Washington Senators, Columbus (GA) native Cliff Blankenship discovered someone named Johnson who turned out pretty good.

one of my favorites

....

I always loved that pose, Jay. All-time greatest mustache list.

Outdoor Pose Old Judge are top on my list.

There can only be different Wagner cards. I am not sure there is a better Wagner portrait. His T206 is great too though.....

http://luckeycards.com/pd381wagner.jpg

To the uninitiated, here's the Lajoie
http://www.qualitycards.com/pictures/31270531.jpg

In regards to the question, I think most T3's are beautiful.
Here's a common as an example
http://www.qualitycards.com/pictures/30808955.jpg

Well, if we're including all pre-war and vintage cards in this discussion, this card gets my vote:

The T206 Walter Johnson portrait. I've loved this card since the very first time I ever saw it.

http://imageshack.com/a/img841/8945/4tbx.png

When I got this one to upgrade the original one I bought, I couldn't believe how magnificent it was in person.

For some reason this 1911 T212 card appeals to me:

Easy! This classic Matty pose ;)

while I'm partial to a couple of Johnsons
 

no not THOSE johnsons - the T206 Walter and the T227 Jack - and some of the colors on the E series are unreal - I'm a 19th century guy so.....

T206 Red Cobb
 

New addition

Hard to argue against T3's. Those blow away any other color litho based card in my mind. Matty and Speaker are my favs, but really most look amazing.

Honest Duke cabs are nice too.

My favorite is the Cracker Jack Ty Cobb, which I hope to get one day. I also like this Ruth card.

A few of my favorites

Could also add N162 Kelly, T205 Matty, T206 green portrait Cobb, Dockman of Wagner throwing, etc.....

Love the T3's but the T206 Lajoie is still my favorite.


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While I don't currently own one, the answer is 1934 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig.

What is the Best Looking Vintage Card?
 

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/28/babe7a5a.jpg

This ones my favorite right now.


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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/28/ny6a3eru.jpg

I realize it is a cabinet, but as far as looks the Turkey Reds are in a class by themselves. The absolute cream of the crop in my humble opinion.

They aren't scanogenic - if you ever see one in person that has a minty surface, you'll be amazed. I've owned two of the Speakers and still think it's the most beautiful card ever created. I got a few of the EX to EXMT ones from a set break 10-12 years ago, and they were all amazing. The dull-surface abused ones aren't near so great.

To me, T3s all the way. And within that, I love the Cobb--probably the most visually pleasing of any card I own (at least to me).

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps73f71a16.jpg

I've always liked this T205 card, but I'd say overall, T3's are a great looking set

So many beautiful cards...I like Cobb these days.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...0bat%20off.jpg

This one reminds me of the end of Field of Dreams:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...20Richards.jpg

Nothing better to my eye than Teddy Ballgame's 1955 Topps.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...20Williams.jpg

First off sweet topic. Love seeing what people's thoughts are. It's real tough to choose but I've always been a fan of the 34 & 38 goudey's. One of the main reason I'm building the sets. I mean who doesn't like the 34 Gehrig #37. It's one of the most recognizable cards in the hobby.

For me, the T3's have it. Of the examples posted here, the Speaker is fabulous. I particularly like the action shots as well. I don't own any T3's, I'm in on a few presently, so we shall see. I'll also give a shout out to Marshall's T205 -- awesome colors.

Love the 1948 Leaf Ted Williams.

Photo:

Hey Henry
 

I'm with you....except I cannot choose between these two Goodwin's....Anson and Kelly are both fabulous pieces of lithography....
that are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/d...ansonkelly.jpg



Post WWII

1949 LEAF Paige............Hey guys, this set is strictly a 1949 issue (the TPG's have it incorrectly dated.

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/d...zaz/paige2.jpg..http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/d...zaz/paigeb.jpg



T-Rex TED
.

Lefty
 

A bunch of my all time favorites have already been posted (N162 Kelly, horizontal E92 etc. Matty, Paul Richards 1933 Goudey, 1911 Zeenut Halla, T3 Lajoie), so I thought I would post a scan of one that hasn't been mentioned...T206 Lefty Leifield. Definitely within the reach of just about anyone's collecting budget.

Brian

e121 Ruth
 

That is one heck of a beautiful E121 ruth !!!!!

Agreed, I typically could care less about condition but with T3's it does make a big difference and they really do look even better in person.

Two of my favorites
 

Crawford/Glasscock

This image was used on several Wheat cards. I always thought it was a great picture.

That's a perfect term, and I know exactly what you mean!

I couldn't agree more.

my fav
 

the angelic Walter Johnson portrait. T206

best,
barry

well ted
 

[QUOTE=tedzan;1281283]I'm with you....except I cannot choose between these two Goodwin's....Anson and Kelly are both fabulous pieces of lithography....
that are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/d...ansonkelly.jpg



Post WWII

1949 LEAF Paige............Hey guys, this set is strictly a 1949 issue (the TPG's have it incorrectly dated.

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/d...zaz/paige2.jpg..http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/d...zaz/paigeb.jpg

I know you know the T206 Johnson portrait, and I assume you know the Jack Johnson card, so given the sky behind Anson it's an easy choice for me. I also dig the N162 Keefe when in high grade. Overall it's just a really nice set with many striking cards, excellent likenesses, powerful subjects, and colors that transform the card to art status. I regret selling my near set but have since taken up the chase again - putting together a higher and lower grade set one damn brick at a time. Having a hard time finding a decent Beecher at a fair and resonable price but I keep on a forward path not to be deterred......

back to basics
 

--

Post war, but ...
 

It's post war ... but in my mind ... the first card I alway think of when the topic great image comes up is the 1953 Bowman Pee Wee Reese. It may be mass produced ... but what an image.

Cheers,
Patrick

Amazing how many of the picks for most beautiful are also among the greatest players which suggests....what? That the card makers put more time and talent into picturing the better players? Or we are all partly biased by the fame of the player? Take any one of the cards that usually make the "most gorgeous" list and pretend it's not a HOFer but, say, Art Devlin, as the player pictured and then imagine if you would still pick it #1 when there are so many others to choose from...just asking...

Greg, I suppose that on some level (perhaps subconsciously), a player's greatness enhances the overall appeal of their cards.

I will tell you one thing, though. Wally Moon could have put up Babe Ruth type numbers, and you still wouldn't have seen his cards in any "best looking" lists.

http://imageshack.com/a/img839/1307/2nti.png

Two More:
 

Attachment 146263

Attachment 146264


From a very tough decade to find good-looking cards.

Two Southpaw cards with great back stories.


Thanks to everyone who has shared so far...fascinating stuff !

Great cards guys, loving the T3s.

Handsome Hal.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/...73e94592_c.jpg

This is one of my favorite looking cards. Although I don't own this card any longer.

Put my vote down for the T3 Ty Cobb. That's been my favorite card since I first saw T3s in the mid-80s. Maybe someday I'll actually own one ;)

Agree t3 are awesome esp the cobb, also love the t205's

Tough to beat some of the classic Cobbs.

Got These 2 Graded early this month:
 

Attachment 146394

Attachment 146395

I want to cast my vote with the majority view that the T3 set contains the best looking cards ever made.
And the Speaker is the best of all. But since Scott already posted Speaker, I'll settle for posting my favorite non-T3 card:


Attachment 146437

Pre-War: T206 Walter Johnson Portrait
Post-War: 1953 Bowman Mickey Mantle

1914 Boston Garter Ty Cobb


http://i62.tinypic.com/169i97o.jpg

Very cool looking card!

Albert

Tony, you are right on with regard to the best looking pre-War card.

However, the best looking post-War Mantle card is his 1959 Bazooka card!
Val

Certainly a contender . . .
 

+1

One of the most aesthetically under-appreciated cards in the T206 set is the Nap Rucker portrait. He's not famous, but he was one hell of a pitcher. This is one I'd love to upgrade.

http://imageshack.com/a/img842/4727/z7oi.png

That is one of the best looking T206s I've seen.

Guess looks really are subjective, I personally think that Walter Mails card is pretty fugly. :D

I really like the Rucker portrait too as well as the Dougherty portrait.

http://i58.tinypic.com/23h7on5.jpg

I think T206 portraits in general are the best looking cards in my opinion. When you line them up (especially against that black SGC background) they're absolutely stunning.

http://zwsmith.weebly.com/uploads/2/...1398352990.jpg

I tend to stick to T206 portraits but I do collect George Bell (hands above head) cards just because I love the look.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...psb9242ed1.jpg

Monty Cross
 

Ruth
 

I can't believe I'm posting the first 33 Goudey Ruth, or possibly even the first 33 Goudey.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psbe50f801.jpg

A few that hold me mesmerized...

[IMG]http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/a...orgeWright.jpg[/IMG]

http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/a...a/cjclarke.jpg

http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/a...OxfordRuth.jpg

Super Goodwins!!
 

Wish my Kelly was that good GREAT Plank, too!

Oh ya, Zach, I agree with you completely. I love the entire set, but the portrait cards are by far my favorites in the set.

Chase definitely had some good looking cards. For me the pink portrait takes the cake!

Val, you may be right. I always forget that one because it's so rarely seen. Post a scan if you have one!
Tony

Amazing Plank Jerry!

I wouldn't seriously call this all-time #1 but since we're posting a few longshots... the detail on this is riveting and due to large size really shows up...

http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1401729425

Beauty is in the eye.................
 

Beauty is in the eye.................Asking what is the best looking vintage card is analogous to asking what is the best looking girl? :) This card is quite classic and good looking itself. And I had to add this Cobb card.

http://luckeycards.com/phunc1869peckandsnyderfinal2.JPG


http://luckeycards.com/pt205cobby80sgc.jpg

Not my card -- but I think of all the amazing Harry Wright cards, this is the quintessential 19th century card in terms of aesthetic appeal:

http://www.milehighcardco.com/ItemIm...15540a_lg.jpeg