[Joe_G.]

Very interesting results with significant support for each option after 79 votes cast. I tried to make each option very different yet equally enticing. Per Kevin, perhaps I should have thrown-in one example of each of the four Player’s League teams on option 2 (again allowing the player to be selected) to garner a little more interest and give us a true 4 way tie. And I agree with Tom on rough value. I believe the value for each option resides between $200-$400k+. Anyone who collects the tougher cards (for which all 4 options contain) know prices can become quite volatile thus the wide range.

What I find interesting is that one of the easiest options to achieve (relatively speaking) received very strong support. If we had four different collectors with $400,000 assigned one option each (note that there is no overlap in the options, so they wouldn’t be competing for the same cards), I suspect option #3, 495 different subjects, would be the first completed. The only option that might beat it would be Anson in Uniform since it only requires one of the existing 3 owners to sell (or a new discovery) but I think the chances of that within the next five or so years is unlikely. The other two options are just too tough to complete without a lot of time, luck, and help.

For this and other reasons, I don’t understand why we don’t see more collectors publicly going after as many subjects as they can obtain. The 495 mark is obtainable (assuming you have the funds) and once you hit it, you can really focus on the best way to arrive at the magical 500 club, with or without California League cards.

For the record, the three authors of the Old Judge book all voted differently. Jay took 495 cards (w assumption he currently has none), Richard the cabinets, and I the Anson in uniform. My vote however could change day-to-day. Like I said, I tried to make them equally enticing. If I could pick Detroit poses I need on the 495 card option then that would sway me that way but not to be. I’d like to finish the reply with how I would have chose my cards for the California League option which was also very interesting to me.

This option allows you to pick favorite player from each team. These cards cover an interesting facet of baseball history and have an interesting look with their outdoor shots (all but Breckenridge were outdoor poses). My favorite picks are as follows:

Oakland – McDonald for his interesting but brief major league stint in three different leagues. I really like the wood fence background on many of the Oakland cards.
Sacramento – Breckenridge, the only California League card discovered thus far that is an indoor studio shot. This card also pushes the limit on fitting his name, position, and team on the same line.
San Francisco - Doyle is classic, I like the fans taking notice in the stands behind Doyle. Appears that many of the Sacramento and San Francisco players were photographed at the same stadium (similar background).

Per the rules, mid-grade examples of these cards would have to be discovered and then “gifted” to me. Look at these three gems and its tough to pass on this option.