T206 Drum Story

[Collectorsince62]

Here's a story about the T206 Drum Herman Armbruster. Back in the late 70's and early 80's there was a card shop near my neighborhood in St. Louis. The owner and a friend closed the shop for a week or so and went on a buying trip through the tobacco states. They returned with quite an inventory. As most of you know, T206's were amazingly undervalued for a long time. I was just out of school without much cash at the time, but I had a lot of cards. The '71 Topps set in high grade was really hot at the time. I had an extra complete set and an extra partial set in really strong condition. A trade was negotiated. I picked up Mathewson, Johnson, Young, 3 Finger, Tinker, Evers, Chance, Chesbro, Merkle, Jennings, McGraw, Bender and Lajoie. These were not beaters, they were very nice. And I still had trade value coming. So I picked up one of each back that was available. That's how I acquired the Armbruster. And he sat alongside the others until a few years ago when I decided he belonged with a serious Drum collector. Bill Goodwin auctioned it and I was very pleased with the result. As far as the PSA 1 it received - you tell me. I was stunned. Perhaps the current owner can enlighten me because I was expecting a 5 for sure. Despite the ridiculous grade, it is a beautiful card with that bright red background and very nice aesthetics. And I still have my first '71 set, so not a bad deal.

[GasHouseGang]

Wow, I'd say you did pretty well!

[ullmandds]

Great story! You did very well! What did that beauty of a drum sell for w/Goodwin? The grade is insulting!

[CobbSpikedMe]

Very cool story. I wish I had known t206s could be had for so cheap when I was a kid. I would have had a ton of them instead of Topps wax packs. I loved tobacco cards when I was younger but always thought they were all really expensive and never saw one until I was older and found eBay. Oh well. Glad you did so well back then.

[Collectorsince62]

$4k. As mystifying as the grade that was assigned, I think the bidders ignored it and bid according to scarcity. Wonder what it would fetch today?

[JohnP0621]

Great Story Great Card. I would bet that the card has been cracked out and now resides in a PSA or SGC 4-5 or 6


Regards
John P

[rats60]

It is the only one graded by PSA and was probably purchased by David Hall.

[Leon]

Cool story. Thanks for sharing.

[mansco]

it is on sale tonight in the David Hall 5 auction

[OldOriole]

Originally Posted by mansco

it is on sale tonight in the David Hall 5 auction

$8,100 with juice.