Weigh in: Why the current t206 back craze--and will it last?

[GregMitch34]

There's been some discussion of this here but I haven't seen many compelling reasons offered on why the prices soared almost overnight--and if it signals a lasting trend or just a brief blip. I think too many are just fully dismissive without explaining why. I find more convincing those who have said, yes, prices are crazy--and will come dow--but something real is happening.

My own view is that even t206 collectors get bored and look for new challenges--AND there is something quite normal and valid about higher prices for rare or scarce items. The question has always been, "yes, rare, but does it matter if no one wants to buy?" But I sense that there's at least a chance that a new generation sees value in having, say, one of the three of a certain card/back ever graded etc. and that prices will fall but not by that much. Your thoughts?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

There's been some discussion of this here but I haven't seen many compelling reasons offered on why the prices soared almost overnight--and if it signals a lasting trend or just a brief blip. I think too many are just fully dismissive without explaining why. I find more convincing those who have said, yes, prices are crazy--and will come dow--but something real is happening.

My own view is that even t206 collectors get bored and look for new challenges--AND there is something quite normal and valid about higher prices for rare or scarce items. The question has always been, "yes, rare, but does it matter if no one wants to buy?" But I sense that there's at least a chance that a new generation sees value in having, say, one of the three of a certain card/back ever graded etc. and that prices will fall but not by that much. Your thoughts?

Hey Greg
Not to sound repetitive, though I will, but it really has to do with the demand. I agree with you though. We all know T206s are probably the most collected pre-war series. So there is the demand. Most of the set can be obtained if you have the cash in your pocket. NOT all front/back combo's can be had even IF you have the money in your pocket. That is why I like type collecting. IF Bill Gates wanted a T231 Fans card, and John or I didn't want to sell ours, he couldn't have one. That is not the case with almost any player (front only) in T206. The Doyle is a corrected error, and super rare, but we have still seen a few of those for sale in the last 10 yrs, not so much a T231. Also, I am sure there are a few T206 front/back combos that are uniquely, or almost uniquely, known. If I collected T206 specifically I am sure I would be a front/back combo collector. It would be much more fun for me.

[g_vezina_c55]

Just a question for you leon.
I am into t206 since only a year now and you said t206 is probably the most collected set and you are corect on it i think.

My question is : t206 set is now the most collected set but it is the case since couple year or as you can remember in your past it was also the most popular set in the 60 70 80 90 ?

Thx

[Leon]

Originally Posted by g_vezina_c55

Just a question for you leon.
I am into t206 since only a year now and you said t206 is probably the most collected set and you are corect on it i think.

My question is : t206 set is now the most collected set but it is the case since couple year or as you can remember in your past it was also the most popular set in the 60 70 80 90 ?

Thx

Hey Nelson
Since I Have been in the hobby a short 16-17 yrs, T206 has been the most collected pre-war set. I can't really comment on time before that. I am sure others can and will. best regards

[MVSNYC]

As previously mentioned in several other T206 threads, there's a variety of reasons why rare backs have been so hot and prices so high. for starters, there are more than a handful of advanced collectors who are working on "master sets", every front/back combo possible. obviously a huge task, but when you have several of these collectors going head to head for certain cards, prices will get ridiculous. also, there is a great amount of research documentation on the web and here that has brought to light just how rare many of these backs are (BL 460, Drum, Uzit, etc). even though it is a hugely popular set and the cards are pretty easy to come by, there are plenty of very tuff, even very rare/scarce cards that collectors are always chasing. i've been collecting T206 for almost 25 years, and have always had a fascination with the different backs...last but not least, IMO, the artwork & typography of the various brands is just awesome and compelling.

[GregMitch34]

I guess what is most stunning lately is not that Uzits etc. have gone up in price but the much more common Tolstois, EPDG, Cycles--when not many examples seen for that player. Even Sovereigns and Old Mills in some cases soared if rare examples for that card. That's the trend that's interesting.