T206 and the beautiful Polar Bear backs
 

Well here you have it perhaps my favorite (obtainable) back in the set yet why is it treated the same as a Piedmont and Sweet Caporal ??? It isn't that scarce nor is it hard to get a PB even with a HOF. I see the connection there what I don't see is why they're valued the same as a Pied or SC..

PB I believe were packaged a lot differently in the cigarette boxes thus resulting in lots of residue and making it harder to find them in good condition as opposed to the other backs in the set. Yet that isn't a factor when determining the value of a card ?

And can we talk about their look ? Ummm way more attractive. Something about that almost all black back. It's like having a t206 in an SGC slab. The white borders play well off of the black stock in the casing. I think this is the same with the back of the PBs.

Am I missing something here ? C'mon all you PB fans come out of the closet and spread your knowledge for me and represent !!!! Have a coke on me :D

I'm baffled by this too, IMO Polar Bear backs are the most attractive affordable back. Polar Bear's were put in with scrap tobacco, making slightly tougher than some backs, yet the price is still low.

Just looking at the PSA population report, only roughly 5000 Polar Bears have been graded by them (less than Old Mill's :eek:), compared to the 50,000+ Piedmonts.

It'd be great if a PB expert could tell us some more about the undervaluation of Polar Bear.

Owen

My first T206 was a Polar Bear (Pfeister seated, in 1979), so I've always had kind of a soft spot for them. I don't think they're the most attractive back, but they're pretty nice and really stand out.

I agree, Josh. Beautiful looking backs, and definitely tougher to find in solid mid grades or higher. I currently have about a dozen, with this one being my favorite!

Matty

Damn Luke that is an awesome card ! The combo with grade is second to none !

Luke, I've rarely seen a PB this clean, and a Matty as well. :eek:

http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn...haraper201.jpg

I like them...

My 1st PB and also makes it my 1st Cobb:

[IMG]http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/...s5drhh0h3.jpeg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/...si9jae3bh.jpeg[/IMG]

That's an awesome O'Hara. :)

The holy grail of Polar Bear backs.

I think I said and usually refer to it as black but is it ? Or is it a dark dark blue ?

John,

That is one Beautiful card. The colors are out of sight.

Mark

John in honor of this thread I think you should donate that to the thread owner =)

It's always been Blue to me.

delete post, thanks

Blue...

I stand corrected.

Not trying to correct you Josh, just making a statement. Some of them do appear black due to staining, printing variations etc. I don't think they are undervalued, they are sort of rare...

My first T206 was a PB too. And a HOF as well.
Not much for condition though. Somehow I've never given much thought to upgrading it.

http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=4729

I've picked up a couple nice ones, and they are pretty tough in better grades.

http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...ictureid=10074http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...ictureid=18352

Graham I bought, Kroh I had for years and sent it in.

Steve B

I think that Polar Bears are getting more recognition now than they did 5 years ago, especially in the 4-5 grade range.


Jantz

PB Color
 

I have also thought that PB backs typically looked black because the blue is so dark, but if you take a good look there are several variations to the color.

Attachment 189695

The majority of the PB's appear to be the darker blue as found on the example on the left. I have also seen a number of variations of Navy Blue as seen on the example on the right. The example in the middle appears to be a fairly uncommon variation. As you can see it is very light compared to the other possible colors. It is not a faded blue, but rather a distinct color. Several subjects exist with this much lighter shade of blue.

Attachment 189696

If anyone has any thoughts I would greatly appreciate hearing them.

Thanks,

Jerry

My two Polar Bears...

I could say something that I would think is very funny right now but I'll just let it slide unless I here otherwise.

Red
 

Well I was also asking about the legitimacy of a Kleinow catching Boston on this site and you all made me comfortable enough. I worked out a deal with the seller and here she is all caked in tobacco.

Great pick up, Josh!

This is a completely random thought, but I'd guess that fewer PBs are graded because people simply aren't sending them in due to the typical stains they have.

Beautiful PB's Men!

The other thought is that Polar Bear has a smaller checklist of 250
Piedmont has aprox 475 across the three Piedmont backs and Old Mill (non SL) has 372

What?

...
 

Haha nice Dick MVSNYC as in (Dick Hoblitzell) No homo.

I thought you were going to say that makes him bi-polar.

Good thing I didn't post a Bock Hooker or Johnny (Master) Bates Polar Bear with this crowd. ;)

Mike I'll go on record about your Dick any day! :)

My only two t206 cards have both Polar Bear backs and yes, I believe it is a very underrated back. It's not a rare back by any means, but it is a beautiful back. The two I have are Larry Schlafly and Kid Elberfeld both encased in a SCG case graded a Good 30 (2). Bill Brown (a member on here) sold them to me for a good price.

....
 

OMG I really need this laugh today. AHAHHAHAHAHAHA

...
 

OMG John lol. Literally laughed out loud on this too. Glad I get into the office early and nobody was around to see me laughing at a screen.

Different strokes...

Well I see this thread has spiraled out of control in a good way hahahahhahahahaha.

I think I'm more of an Assman but I can also be a Titman as well. :D

Sorry to have taken it further off track. By way of apologizing, I offer up for public viewing my Bush and one of my Balls. And if you prefer backsides, you can check those out too.

This is a pretty nice looking HIENE:

Love the Polar Bears!
 

Here's my small collection...

...
 

Nice cards Skip I really like your Heine :D

The Leach too I really would like to get one of his cards soon.

:o

delete

Great example of the back color variations. Fun thread fellas!