Pre-war player with most attractive cards?
 

A couple of years ago, the question was posed, "What is the most beautiful of the iconic cards."


I was wondering what people thought about a similar question--which HOF pre-war player has the most attractive cards in total? Another way to think of this, is if you had a list of the 100 most beautiful pre-war cards, which player would have the most cards on the list? If you believe quality trumps quantity, then who would have the most at the top of the list?

I realize this is highly subjective and many would probably disagree with my choices, but I wanted to see what people had to say.

Below are a few to consider, though obviously there are many, many more.

Not sure how I managed to list Nap Lajoie and Gehrig twice in the poll. Was trying to list Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

I've always liked these.

Charles, I suggest you revise your poll if possible or re-do it (yes, I was going to vote for WaJo).

I really like the 1911 Sporting Life Cabinet Cards of any player. That is a great looking set as well as the 1910-1911 T3 Set

Does anyone know how to revise or redo a poll? I messaged Leon....

I think I would have to create a new thread.

One option would be to just list the person you would vote for in a post, if not listed.

Sorry

Only a moderator can do that. No Worries. All fixed. I haven't voted yet, but I will.
.

Thank you Leon! You rock!

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I'll go with Cobb and Matty a close 2nd, I don't think Walter Johnson has an unattractive card so he'd be third.
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To me, Johnson is more a mixed bag. I immensely dislike the Hands at Chest which doesn't look like him. Also not a fan of some of the Exhibits with a shadow completely obscuring his eyes and face. On the other hand, several are among the nicest cards ever made.

4BH Kelly is a nice card.

Sorry, which is the 4BH King Kelly card?

Phil, you would have it right, if you reverse the order of these three! :D

I realize that most pre-War collectors are partial to colorful cards, and WaJo has some very nice ones. But, his black & white ones are are also eye candy, at least to me (guess who I voted for).

A few cards from the player who received my vote. This player's career lined up perfectly with some glorious sets, and avoided some with sketchy artwork/poor photos. And he just seemed to know how to pose for portraits, and his graceful style is captured in all the action cards featuring him. Show me an ugly Nap Lajoie card...I dare you!

Brian (and a few cards from the web to underline my point)

Holy cow Val! That has to be the most impressive Wajo run I've ever seen, that Texas Tommy is magical. If you ever decide to get out of the Awesome Johnson business I'd like to be first in line for that card.

Phil, thanks for your super kind words. I'll gladly add you to my Texas Tommy list, right after Chad P. and a few others. And, if you come up with the Keating Candy & Witmor Candy (w/vertical back) cards that I so badly want to add to my Sam Rice collection and that were issued in your neck of the woods, I'll move you up to the very top of my Texas Tommy list! :)

Consider me on the Witmor & Keating Candy Hunt...

Larry got my vote too. There's a certain regal air to his poses. For example, his T3 card. Larry isn't just looking at the field; he seems to be presiding over it.

I think you have nailed it! He has such a commanding presence, and most of his cards showcase this.

Brian

Some great cards posted!

That Novelty Cutlery image of Walter “Johnston” is so clear, and what an incredibly early postcard of him!

Very cool Orange Border of Lajoie. And I agree that Lajoie looks he presides over the game. What a presence. Maybe that’s why they named a team after him.

Looks like Cobb and Mathewson are the favorites so far. Can’t disagree—so many amazing issues of them.

Best looking
 

I chose "other" in the poll. Always thought Vic Willis had some great looking
cards, his E95 and T206s are spectacular. Ed Cicotte as well, particularly
the Cracker Jack pose, which is my favorite of the set. A low key mention
goes to Sherry Magee for some of his "E" poses. Trent King

The 1914 Christy

attractive cards
 

So many but the Cracker Jack Joe and Ty are pretty cool looking!

I voted for Gehrig because he had movie star good looks. Card design isn't the only factor. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

It's a very interesting question
 

It would be "easy" to pick a bunch of just incredible-looking cards of a wide range of players. But. You asked who has the most cards that are that visually captivating. I had to go with Cobb (Wagner would be in the conversation too) - Thinking about his T206 red and green portrait's ,D304, M116 blue background and T3 just to get warmed up....

Vic Willis is an interesting choice for sure. Was curious as to what players the other people that have chosen "other" prefer over the existing choices.

The poll can only have 10 choices, and I would have probably added Honus Wagner if there was room for one more choice. But I feel like he just doesn't have as many cards as others--only one T206, no T205, etc.

Ed Walsh should get some love here. I love his CJ card, his T205 and 206 cards are cool. The two E90 poses are okay and you’ve got T3, M101-4/5 and him happy as all get out on his E98 card.

Christy's T205 catapults him into the top 2 or 3 of this list without a doubt.

I've always found it interesting that so many of the really great baseball players, and athletes in general for that matter, are also stunningly handsome. I think there must be some reason for that.

Since this poll is a 2-horse race between Christy Mathewson and Ty Cobb, I thought it might be interesting to compare some of their cards side-by-side.

Of course each player has many other amazing cards.

I didn't include their T206, or T205, T202, or Cracker Jack since people tend to be so familiar with those.

If I actually spent the time to compile such a top 100 list of aesthetic quality, I wouldn't be all that surprised if it turned out that there aren't any players who appear on more than 1 of the 100 most attractive cards, but my best guess is Ty Cobb.

Ty is currently topping the poll, and I believe it mostly because of his W512 and W515 cards.

Attachment 575971

Attachment 575972

If I were to rank my top 3 from the poll list, this would be my order:

Lajoie
Mathewson
Cobb

Brian (not my Cobbs...icky!)