Newbie Questions-About to Make my first T206 Purchase--SCANS ADDED

[MBMiller25]

I am admitedly a newbie when it comes to Pre-War cards, and especially when considering T-206's. I have always wanted a Cobb card, and am about to jump in, in a big way with an agreed upon deal of $1850 for a Cobb Portrait Red in SGC 60 EX 5. The card has superb eye appeal, and centering. VCP avereage is $1815 for this card, and I am just looking for some veteran reassurance as to whether this is a wise buy or not. My thought process is, that its a Cobb in relatively high grade, but I am also extremely ignorant when it comes to T-206's. All comments welcome, and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[barrysloate]

It may be a perfectly good card as well as a fair deal, but if I had never bought a T206 before I might not start with such a large purchase. I would buy a handful of commons first to get a feel of what T206 is all about. Do you have a scan you can post?

[T206Collector]

...comfortable with the seller and authenticity of the card and slab, then I think that's a fine figure to pay for that card. To me, anything under $2,000 for an SGC 60 T206 Cobb of any variety is a decent deal. On a good day, you might get something on the red portrait for less than $1,800 -- but not typically.

[Fred]

Matt,

Great question! Here's the first thing you do, look for a nice T206 Wagner on Craigslist or on ebay. But you should only purchase or bid on the card if there is great provenance that goes with the card. For example, if the person listing the card doesn't mention that it was given to him by his grand father or that it was found with a box of other old cards (that included a T206 Plank) at a yard sale, then shy away from the card. Also, if it says reprint on the back of the card (at the bottom) then it probably is in fact a reprint. I guess you don't want those.

Ok, seriously, stick with reputable dealers that are listed in the "Vintage Links" above or locate the cards on ebay. If you're not sure about the authenticity of the card then stick with SGC, Beckett or PSA graded cards.

If you are really particular about condition then you will obviously be sticking with higher graded cards but with that comes the price of the nicer condition.

Try picking a "niche" to start with. For example, a particular team (just don't pick Pittsburgh) or portraits. If you get the bug to really indulge then start picking off Southern Leaguers and HOFers. The main thing is to be patient, don't "pay huge" for the cards. There are plenty of them out there. Half of the fun is running into bargains and creating a collection you can appreciate as it grows.

[MBMiller25]

...comfortable with the seller and authenticity of the card and slab, then I think that's a fine figure to pay for that card. To me, anything under $2,000 for an SGC 60 T206 Cobb of any variety is a decent deal. On a good day, you might get something on the red portrait for less than $1,800 -- but not typically.

Very comfortable with the seller, I have purchased from him before and he is very reputable. Would love to purchase under $1800, I just believe the eye appeal warrants the slight premium over VCP. I have a tough time seperating that kind of money though from viewing the card as an investment, so I want to be sure that I am not going to spend nearly 2K on a card that might be worth $1K in the next couple years. I think I am smart enough to know thats not the case, but some reassurance from the T-206 collecting community certainly helps.

[MBMiller25]

Try picking a "niche" to start with. For example, a particular team (just don't pick Pittsburgh) or portraits.

Fred, Thanks for the reply, My intial quest will be for the bigger HOFers. Cobb (Portrait and Bat off Shoulder) Mathewson, Johnson, Young, etc. From there I will evaluate what I want to continue doing. I don't have any plans to build the set, or collect any major amount of these cards, but would like to acquire the HOFers.

[T206Collector]

...was this Matty in raw form, but I knew it was real because of the provenance of the collection from whence it came. You can start with the biggees, but it does make sense to become familiar with all nuances of the issue with low risk commons.

[Leon]

The card you are looking at, a Red T206 Cobby, is as blue chip as it gets for pre-war cards. You won't lose money at $1800 for a nice SGC60....and if you do then the whole economy is is in the tank more than it has ever been. To me, for that high dollar of a card, there is almost no more safe buy than what you are doing, especially with nice eye appeal. Just my opinion...regards

[MBMiller25]

Thanks for the comments. Although I have high-res scans of the cards front and back, I am going to wait until I have concluded the deal, and recieved the card before posting the scans. I will indeed post the scans to update everyone on my purchase, once the card is in hand. Thanks Again.

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

It may be a perfectly good card as well as a fair deal, but if I had never bought a T206 before I might not start with such a large purchase. I would buy a handful of commons first to get a feel of what T206 is all about. Do you have a scan you can post?

This is very good advice from Barry. But, if you really want the Cobb and got the bucks (and trust seller,etc.,etc.) then go for it !!! Good luck and good hunting !!

Sincerely, Clayton

[ethicsprof]

welcome to the wonderful world of the white borders, the Monster!!!
i notice that you are from my old college ('73)hometown so would suggest that you also get in touch with Prof. Manning of Davidson who has quite a top drawer T206 collection and is also one of our Net 54 members.
My first T206, similar to Paul M (T206 collector),was a Matty and it got me fixated on vintage back in '84.
all the best with the Cobb.

barry

[MBMiller25]

welcome to the wonderful world of the white borders, the Monster!!!
i notice that you are from my old college ('73)hometown so would suggest that you also get in touch with Prof. Manning of Davidson who has quite a top drawer T206 collection and is also one of our Net 54 members.
My first T206, similar to Paul M (T206 collector),was a Matty and it got me fixated on vintage back in '84.
all the best with the Cobb.

Barry, Thanks for the heads up, I will reach out to Professor Manning for sure, thanks for the heads up.

I also decided after spending some time looking over this card to post a scan of the card. I am concerned about the spot on Cobb's forehead. Is that common? Thoughts on this card?

[William Todd]

As a long time T206 collector, that Red Cobb looks very nice and looks original and clean. You will enjoy it for as long as you own it. You couldn't start with a better example.

[T206Collector]

The spot is not "normal" but does not either mean that the card isn't properly graded -- which it appears to be. But if you don't like the spot, wait for a Cobb that doesn't have one.

[iggyman]

Beauty of a card! Fantastic eye appeal, spot or no spot. I believe you just won our annual "ROOKIE" of the year award. Congrats and thanks to all those that participated.

Looks like you are going to Disney World kid! Tell us what he just won, Leon............


Regrettably, due to prior years shenanigans (that's right David McDonald, I'm calling you out.........a birth certificate is required for age verification). For those that are not aware, David won the 2002 rookie of the year award but was disqualified once we found out about his T206 card.


Lovely Day...