I just realized why T206s are so popular with newbies...

[mintacular]

Okay, my generation is all about instant gratification. One of the many reasons T206s are so "addictive" (assuming said collector values prewar in the 1st place) is that there are so many cards available with so many different backs, in various conditions, etc. Therefore everyday on eBay you can do a search and see some new possibilities to add to your pc...

Now, as much as I like the look of the T204, Turkey Reds, Old Judges, and more-- patience is a virtue. You could wait several days without a new listing...Generation X'ers just don't have that tortoise-like mindset to wait around for them.

Food for thought to compare how generational differences might make T206 collecting more appealing to newbies. (Note: I'm NOT looking to turn this conversation into other reasons why T206s are popular)

[vargha]

I don't think it is a generational thing as much as it is an issue of availability. They were pretty popular to collect when I was teen (back in the dark ages) when availability was an even greater problem.

[Leon]

Being in the later baby boomer generation I think we are sort of between instant gratification and plodding along. I am able to add things to my collection more than I have money to keep up with it. For those that have been in the hobby a long time (not me, I am only at around 15-16 yrs) they all say the way to not burn out is to take your time. The hobby has it's roots in taking it slow and easy....but back in the old days (pre-1960) there was probably no choice.

[wonkaticket]

I would agree that some T206's out of the gate may be more available than others

But trust me as a long time T206 collector it's not as easy as hitting ebay weekly to fill your wantlist. Many T206's take years and years to surface just to find an example...and if you're after quality or certain combo or a mixture of both you're waiting just as long to find that card as you are with other less mainstream sets.

The only saving grace is with T206 somebody can have a nice Matty Port. card today if they look and are willing to take what is available. But drill down a bit add in a back request or combo and the same card just became really tough.

Cheers,

John

[David W]

It's also a matter that anyone new to collecting will probably gravitate to T 206 simply because they are easily affordable, and also much more plentiful.

Another reason may be that the hype the Honus Wagner card gets also drives the casual collector to T 206.

[bbcard1]

It also doesn't hurt that they are pretty. Not all of them, of course, but you can see things in the background that make them intriguing. I do think the ability to get them in meaningful numbers is important.

For the last year or so, I have made my T206 set my secondary play. General rule, if I find one for less that $12 that I need I buy it. Yeah, I'm going with low grade, but I have a few really nice ones in my collection.

I am planning on spending the next five years or so with it as my second thing I am working on then get serious about it. Hope to finish it up, minus the big ones, in the next decade. About half way there.

[T206Collector]

I really don't think it's a newbie thing, per se. I think its a baseball thing. One of the things that makes baseball great, and distinguishes it from the other sports, is that it is played every day for 6-7 months. T206s are similarly available on a day-to-day basis, generally speaking. If you get the collecting itch, it can be immediately scratched.

I really specialize in signed T206s these days. But if I limited my collecting to just signed T206 exclusively, I'd be pretty bored sometimes since I often go many many months between signed T206 acquisitions. That is, frankly, one of the reasons I recently started collecting doubles and triples of signed T206 cards. It keeps me more active, more frequently. I also expanded my horizons to all signed pre-1917 cards generally, with a particular growing interest in signed T201s and T205s.

It should also be said that T206s are a legendary set, along with 33 Goudey and 52 Topps. Those are the "Big 3." And there is always something alluring about chasing the set called "The Monster", knowing that it can never be fully completed because of Wagner and Doyle.

There are a whole host of rationale, healthy and terrific reasons to pursue T206 cards. Availability is certainly a meaningful component of why so many of us pursue it.

[cfc1909]

yea just picked this up at my local mall show today -very easy to find




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[Kawika]

Originally Posted by cfc1909

yea just picked this up at my local mall show today -very easy to find

So that's how you do it, Jim.

[wonkaticket]

Jim classic newbie move...brown Lenox at a mall show...LOL

I mean check the eBay BIN's I'm sure there are at least 100 of those listed on there right now.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by mintacular

Okay, my generation is all about instant gratification. One of the many reasons T206s are so "addictive" (assuming said collector values prewar in the 1st place) is that there are so many cards available with so many different backs, in various conditions, etc. Therefore everyday on eBay you can do a search and see some new possibilities to add to your pc...

Now, as much as I like the look of the T204, Turkey Reds, Old Judges, and more-- patience is a virtue. You could wait several days without a new listing...Generation X'ers just don't have that tortoise-like mindset to wait around for them.

Food for thought to compare how generational differences might make T206 collecting more appealing to newbies. (Note: I'm NOT looking to turn this conversation into other reasons why T206s are popular)

Ha! Don't know where you get this Gen Xer instant gratification thing. Listen you young whipper snapper! We of the Baby Boomer generation are of the original Dr. Spock instant gratification craze. You guys are just amateurs.

Actually, I think that it's a fairly common pattern for new pre-war collectors to go with the very accessible T206s, then on to more esoteric issues.
It keeps things spicy.

[wonkaticket]

Also I will add as a collector who collected pre-internet days.

T206's were not easy to find either it took me almost 13 years to build my set from local shows and cards that were available in my geographic location. And that was even after a find of a 1000+ t-cards.

I think we are a bit spoiled today and have a twisted view on availablity of these cards. This is due to the fact that much of worlds invenotory on T206's or any issue for that matter is a click away. IMO.

Cheers,

John

[ls7plus]

I don't collect T-206's (yet!), but I think John makes a very good point with regard to our twisted view of availability these days. Just save a search on e-bay long enough, or browse through the greatly increased numbers of quality auction catalogues coming out, and many of cards that it would have taken us years to find in person at shows in the old days seem to be almost readily attainable. Some of these items are truly rare, but their increased availability should bode well for the future growth and popularity of our hobby with the arrival of better economic times.

Larry

[Gradedcardman]

This is my second go on collecting the set. The first time I collected was before the advent of today's Internet. I knew of the different backs but never sought them out. I can tell you my only rare back was a Carolina Brights Eddie Collins. I never had the access like today for the backs. Today as I re-collect the set, I am hoping to have half in SC and Piedmont and the rest in everything else. That's the allure today, the chase and hunt for the Drum, Hindu, Uzit, Lenox... And so on ! A great chase and a passion.

[Vol]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Also I will add as a collector who collected pre-internet days.

You mean there was a time when the internet wasn't around? That musta sucked!

[wonkaticket]

Isaac, It did suck...LOL...it was even harder to get porn when you were a kid use to have to hide the playboys under the mattress.

Kids today have it so easy all the T206's and porn they could want.

[E93]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Kids today have it so easy all the T206's and porn they could want.

Can I quote you on that?
JimB

[ethicsprof]

please, professor blumenthal, only quote this if you're going to offer a retort from the Dhammapada---and do offer yours and John's only in the original language.

always glad to see you around Jim, especially when you're wrestling with
the Wonka.
all the best,
barry