Greatest Hits
 

I'm interested in looking at the relative frequency of offerings of key cards by the major auction houses, so I'd first like to establish, by surveying the group here, what we collectively feel are the key or quintessential or "most iconic" cards in the hobby.

For my purposes, this should be grade-independent, so while a PSA 10 Ernie Banks rookie may sell for much more than a PSA 1 1952 Topps Mantle, the Topps Mantle is regarded is one of the handful of most iconic cards in the hobby. Likewise, it's not a matter of price or rarity per se. I'm sure the T206 Wagner will make the list, but so too might the Goudey Lajoie ahead of any of the N167 HOFers or California N172s.

So, anyone who would like to participate, please submit your list of 5-10 cards in the replies.

My list:

T206 Wagner
T206 Doyle
E90-1 Jackson
T206 Cobb/Cobb
Baltimore News Ruth
M101-4/5 Ruth
1933 Goudey Ruth #53
"1933" Goudey Lajoie
1952 Topps Mantle

My top 5 cards of all time:

1. E-90 (and its variations) Tris Speaker
2. T227 Cobb
3. T206 Walter Johnson Portrait
4. Turkey Red Ty Cobb
5. 1949 Bowman Paige

T206 Wagner
Baltimore News Ruth
1952 Topps Mantle
M101-4/5 Ruth
T206 Plank
T206 Cobb/Cobb back
1933 Goudey Lajoie
1925 Exhibit Gehrig
1955 Topps Clemente
1949 Leaf Jackie Robinson

T206 Wagner
M101-4/5 Ruth
Old Judge Anson in Uniform
Just So Young
Baltimore News Ruth
1869 Peck & Snyder Cincinnati Trade Card with ad back

I'd repeat most of what's written but add:

1914/15 CJ Cobb
1914/15 CJ Joe Jackson
1914 CJ Matty

Maybe add in:

1951 Bowman Mays and Mantle
1939 Play Ball Ted Williams
Zeenut Joe Dimaggio
1936 World Wide Gum Joe Dimaggio
Cracker Jack Joe Jackson

I would add the 1888 Goodwin Champions N162 King Kelly. To me, that is the most iconic pre 1900 card.

In no particular order:
T206 Wagner
T206 Doyle
T206 Plank
T206 Cobb/ Cobb back
N172 Old Judge Cap Anson in uniform
T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson
Baltimore News Babe Ruth
1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie
1952 Topps Mantle
M101-4/5 Babe Ruth

or perhaps the E90-1 American Caramel Joe Jackson instead of the Old Mill Jackson.

Adds IMO
N43 Ewing
N167 Ewing
M101 Thorpe
W600 Wagner
T3 Cobb

T3 Ty Cobb
T206 Honus Wagner
Cracker Jack Joe Jackson
1933 Nap Lajoie
1938 Goudey Head Joe Dimmagio
T205 Christy Mathewson

+1, and I would add the D304 Cobb.

My ten:

1869 Peck & Snyder Cincinnati CDV w/ Ann St or other 1869 reverse
1893 Just So Young
1902 W600 Wagner Street Clothes
1903 W600 Mathewson Street Clothes
1907 Detroit Seamless Steel Tubes Cobb
1908 Rose Postcard Johnson
1909 T206 Wagner
1914 Baltimore News Ruth
1916 M101-5/4 Ruth
1952 Topps Mantle

I would probably start with:
T206 Wagner
T206 Plank
1952 Topps Mantle
1933 Sport Kings Ruth

And then add a personal favorite:
1954 Bowman Ted Williams

My list:

1869 Peck + Snyder Card
1888 Goodwin Kelly
1909-11 T206 Wagner
1909-11 T206 Plank
1909-11 E90-1 Jackson
Cracker Jack Joe Jackson
1933 Goudey Ruth #144
1941 Play Ball DiMaggio
1952 Topps Mantle
1954 Topps Aaron
1955 Topps Clemente
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan