Who collects Polar Bears?

[nolemmings]

For a guy who wishes there weren't so many T206 threads, I should probably stay mum, but I was wondering if there are any on the board who collect just (or mostly) Polar Bear T206s?

One of my several failed attempts to start T206 focused on PBs. I am kind of a condition freak who doesn't much care for beaters, and I wanted to force myself to face a set that would be replete with noticeable tobacco stains. Although I ultimately jettisoned the project, I really grew to enjoy the PB cards as being authentic warts and all mementos of the dead-ball era. Sure you could almost certainly find a better image of any T206 subject by chasing other backs, but there was something almost mesmerizing to me about cards like this one--a great pose of an even greater player:



Are there others here who find these T206 ugly stepchildren the apple of your eye?

[ullmandds]

Es tu...todd?

[atx840]

On and off, ton of HOF keep me on the fence.

Beautiful back compared to the others. They smell nice too

[nolemmings]

What can I say Pete, sometimes confession is good for the soul

[jrenaut]

I don't collect them, exactly, as my first goal is to get all the Senators (minus, for now, the Elberfeld portrait and the two Walter Johnsons). But Polar Bear is my favorite back.

[RGold]

All I can smell is plastic.

[ethicsprof]

i particularly appreciate sgc's having the good sense to grade the card
a 5 and not penalizing due to the tobacco stains.
The stains are what make the polar bears a favorite back and are absolutely
integral to the identity of the card itself.
all the best,
barry

[steve B]

I don't actively chase them, but I'm getting more interested lately. I think it's a fun subset if you ignore the expensive ones. And really nice ones aren't easy to find. Even vg-ex can be a nice little challenge.

Steve B

[E93]

I know of one collector who has a complete Polar Bear set. It is certainly a tough one for the more condition conscious collector. Possible, but tougher.
JimB

[t206blogcom]

Polar Bear has always been one of my favorite T206 backs. I had considered going for an only Polar Bear set, but turned my focus to southern leaguers.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I thought about it once but gave up when I realized they are an endangered species.

[Brian Van Horn]

I don't collect Polar Bears specifically, but I like the deep blue backs. I remember about five or six years ago a couple dealers stated in their auctions Polar Bears were rarer backs. Bunk!

About the only thing about Polar Bears I could guess is the deep blue back gave the counterfitters a bigger problem in their fraud.

[teetwoohsix]

PB backs are one of my favorites. Putting together a PB subset would be quite a challenge !!!

Sincerely, Clayton

[pete zouras]

[t206blogcom]

[RGold]

[jp1216]

I like the PB back too. A favorite of mine. I picked up several (48) for my set. My Jerry Downs back run will always feel incomplete without one (no print).

[thehoodedcoder]

i figured i would put together a master set in my spare time.

im going by backs....didn't get to polar bear yet.

kevin

[atx840]

I'm surprised we don't see more dark WST on these. Wonder if they slowed down the printing to let them dry.

[GoudeyJim]

Originally Posted by I Only Smoke 4 the Cards

I thought about it once but gave up when I realized they are an endangered species.

Lol.....am I the only one who laughed out loud at this?

[White Borders]

T206 Polar Bears are a fun back set to collect. With 250 subjects in the subset, there are plenty of HOFers, but none of those pesky Southern Leaguers. They are common enough to make completing the run within reach, but uncommon enough to make it a bit challenging. Of course picking up Demmitt and O'Hara will cost a bit, but there are usually a couple available for purchase at any given time. The only negative is that Polar Bears are very difficult to find in higher grades (6+). It took me about 1.5 years to collect the Polar Bear set in 2008-9. Average grade was probably G and most are F-VG. Total cost was about $13,000. Yes, I still have all of them. And no, I'm not interested in selling or trading any of them.

(After completing the Polar Bears, I moved on and completed the pesky 48 Old Mill Southern Leagues subset )

Best Regards and Happy Collecting
Craig

[atx840]

living the dream Craig, living the dream

[mrvster]

a very good friend and board member is currently embarking on pb's....Craig, you are kicking the monster's ass

[Jlighter]

[Ronnie73]

I collect them but its because I collect all front/back combinations. I try to purchase them in a PSA 4/SGC 50 grade or raw that would grade in that range. I don't mind the stains since its normal on the Polar Bears. The Polar Bear back is my second favorite back with Carolina Brights being my first favorite.

[DerekMichael]

Here is my Addie Joss. Not a drop of tobacco on this bad boy. Normally, I like my Polar Bears to have clean fronts, but I actually like a bit of gunk on the back. This is special though because it is so gosh darn clean.

[wonkaticket]

Amazing card Derek.

[DerekMichael]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Amazing card Derek.

Thanks Mr. McDaniel. That means a lot coming from a passionate T206 collector like yourself. Much appreciated.

Derek

[Ronnie73]

Wow Derek, That is an incredible card. So far a top pop and only one in a 7 for PSA and the highest for SGC is in a 60/5 holder. That card is big money to the right person.

Originally Posted by DerekMichael

Here is my Addie Joss. Not a drop of tobacco on this bad boy. Normally, I like my Polar Bears to have clean fronts, but I actually like a bit of gunk on the back. This is special though because it is so gosh darn clean.

[pgellis]

Here's one of mine:

[g_vezina_c55]

Verry nice O'hara

[MVSNYC]

About 5 years ago, i focused on high-grade rare backs, i had PSA 7 & PSA 6 Polar Bears...I've since sold them, but currently have this clean PSA 5 example for my back set (excuse the bit of plastic on the scan).

[HOF Auto Rookies]

I love the PB back, def my favorite, and I like the Lenox script as well, along with Uzit regardless of scarcity. I have gotten one or two PB back for my mom (who collects anything with Bears lol, vintage paintings, drawings etc), so I thought that would be a cool thing to get her. And I am considering to have one at my place cause it'd remind me of her! (she is not deceased, but is a huge influence in my life).

[aliendna]

The same (serial number) T206 Nap Lajoie with Bat Polar Back card shown on this thread is on eBay ending March 3, 2013. Are you the seller or previous owner? Does SGC grade differently than PSA as I would imagine they would put a stain qualifier on it. I get the impression that SGC also has a different (realistic?) perspective on the 1919-21 W514 strip cards.