If you could build a mid grade set

[phikappapsi]

If you could build any mid grade pre war set, what would it be?

Common thoughts seem to be,

T206
1915 CJ
1933 Goudey

What would drive you to pick one over the other, or any other set for that matter?

Price/value, challenge, the look of the cards, popularity etc etc.

Where does your collecting heart lead you?

[glchen]

Since I already have the 33 Goudey set practically done, I would probably do the 1915 CJ. I have thought about my collecting focus these days, and I have decided that I really want to collect cards that I like staring at, e.g., cards with poses and images that I really like. This seems obvious, but sometimes with set collecting, you're just trying to check another card off your list, and you don't really care for the image of the card that much. And the CJ set has a lot of images that I really like such as Cobb, Wagner, Mathewson, and Jackson, which I find very exciting. It is also very, very expensive, but that can it challenging as you try to find a good example with nice eye appeal and still within your budget. I thought about the 1914 CJ set a lot also, but I think the 1915 set will be better for me. The 1914 set is simply too expensive and there are too many cards that are too difficult to find. Frankly, I don't think I'd be up for it. And personally, I think I'd prefer cards with less staining than is present in most of the 1914 set. About T206, I always think that I want to try it someday, but I really think it's overvalued right now with all of the backs. I cannot see myself paying huge premiums for backs of commons. If I'm paying big money for a card, I'd like it to be a notable HOFer or one of the classic cards in the hobby, and not because the back has Uzit on it. Don't get me wrong, I think the back run is beautiful, and something I'd like to do some day. For myself, I don't think it's worth it right now at these prices.

[t206hound]

Originally Posted by glchen

About T206, I always think that I want to try it someday, but I really think it's overvalued right now with all of the backs. I cannot see myself paying huge premiums for backs of commons. If I'm paying big money for a card, I'd like it to be a notable HOFer or one of the classic cards in the hobby, and not because the back has Uzit on it. Don't get me wrong, I think the back run is beautiful, and something I'd like to do some day. For myself, I don't think it's worth it right now at these prices.

I only collect T206 and my goal is 520 with only Piedmont, Sweet Caporal and Polar Bear backs. I'll let everyone else worry about the backs... I'm fine having one of each of the fronts. (At least the first time around).

[g_vezina_c55]

Originally Posted by t206hound

I only collect T206 and my goal is 520 with only Piedmont, Sweet Caporal and Polar Bear backs. I'll let everyone else worry about the backs... I'm fine having one of each of the fronts. (At least the first time around).

Same things for me, i collect only these 3 Back , if i found another back and the price is the same of the PB,SC or piedmont back , i will buy it but i will not paid premium price for a rare back. The only difference i'll try to have the 522 cards set.

[kmac32]

E121-120 and E121-80 sets. Love the black and white

[tbob]

A mid grade set of caramel cards is PSA 3s. E94s would be my choice, but I am prejudiced.

[markf31]

My sets of focus right now are:
T205
1934 Goudey
1948 Leaf

I chose these for a couple reasons:

I wanted a tobacco set, I really like the look and size of the cards, but the T206 is enormous and unless you have extremely deep pockets to get the Wanger, Sherry Magee and Eddie Plank then a complete set is almost out of the question. But the T205 is smaller and much more manageable, it's a much more probably set to complete.

I had a similar line of thought with the 1934 Goudey. With the 1933 issue you have to deal with obtaining 4 Ruths that are quite expensive, with the 1934 you have the 2 Gerhigs but they're more managebale than the '33 Ruths.

While it's not prewar, I have also targeted the 1948 Leaf set for the rookies found including Musial, Paige, Spahn and Robinson.

[phikappapsi]

Originally Posted by markf31

While it's not prewar, I have also targeted the 1948 Leaf set for the rookies found including Musial, Paige, Spahn and Robinson.

Love the 48 set, the Paige is pretty rough though.

[bbcard1]

I think that part of the thing about collecting is that it has to be something you can realistically acquire a card on your budget in a reasonable increment of time to be enjoyable. I think that is why the T206 set is so popular.

I am closing in on the Monster, though I expect to continually upgrade it. Next on deck for me...either a high grade 1961 set or a low grade DeLong. I have most of the 61 set save the high numbers (which are more than a notion) and I only have three DeLongs, but one is the Gehrig....

[Exhibitman]

I already am building the 1925-31 PC Back Exhibit set.

T206 would be the obvious choice if the hypothetical allowed me to have the Wagner, Doyle, Plank, etc. If not, T202 would be interesting.