Mission Complete - My Basic T206 - Thank You Net54

[jp1216]

A few years in the making. Looks like my 'basic' T206 is complete to 514 (with Wagner & Plank reprints - no variations).

WARNING - caution to serious T206 collectors - the images displayed could offend or even cause trauma. Low grade means LOW GRADE.

http://t206.weebly.com/

Many thanks to every Net54 member that helped me along the way. I honestly couldn't have done it without the support of you guys! I believe that at least 70% of this set came directly from the board.. B/S/T transactions and members who bookmarked my website made this 'easy' or easier than I imagined. Especially over the past 12 months. Several members (too many to mention - you know who you are) would periodically email me with available cards and unbeatable / non-eBay prices - or provide links to auctions/sales. Most would say 'pay when you can', 'I'll hold them for you' etc. I didn't like doing the 'I owe you' method - but it worked several times with my budget. Once I got down to about 30 cards (about half SLers), I thought it would really slow down. It didn't. I wasn't in a hurry, but the deals kept coming. Once it got to about 10 cards, I couldn't wait to finish it.

I started with the Cleveland team set. 25 cards. About 1/4 through it, I discovered the different backs. WOW. Finished the team in about a year. All were in nice SGC slabs w/ 18 or so different backs. I thought I was done..... Until a member emailed asking 'Why not go for the whole set - you've already done so many of the tough cards'..... It was then I realized I had a shot. Then someone posted about 100 T206s for sale on BST. I didn't buy them, but liked the comments about 'holding 100 raw cards at a time'. I was hooked at that point. No more SGC/PSA slabs (expect for the pricey ones) - just go for a low grade raw set. Something 'well loved'.... Many members would sell me a dozen or two cards at a time. I loved holding them too. For those that haven't held a stack of T-cards - try it.

So many ways to collect these: Team sets, Portraits, Series, Backs etc...

My father-in-law and I desiged a nice 525 card, raw T206 box and sold many here. When he gave me the prototype, I only had about 50 raw cards. It was empty - but my goal was set. I would pickup a few here and there. All graded cards (with a value of under $100) were set free. BVG, SGC, PSA and GAI were no match for a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and a hammer.... I saved all or most of the labels/flips. Can't imagine having 514+ in slabs. Filled the box with most of the T206 set and several other type 'small tobacco' cards. Nice fillers.

Backs: I've always kept an eye out out for different backs. I wanted several different low grade examples to fill in. I'll still look for a Uzit, Drum, AB 350 no frame etc to add in someday. No hurry. The 'rare' backs I have are all available to others. If anyone is after a certain card for a set or back run - feel free to contact me. I only ask for a replacement back. Not that there is much to look at - but maybe someone is after a certain one.....

Why 514? I didn't want to go after the variations. I actually had a couple that I sold (Smith & Kleinow). I noticed a few checklists online that only showed the 514. That helped me set the goal. Not ruling out more - just not right now. Variations lead to Lundgren, lead to O'Hara etc, lead to Magie, lead to.... T206museum.com (among others) had a nice 514 only checklist to print.

Things that helped along the way: Checklists. Online, spreadsheets, etc. The fun of checking off cards can't be overemphasized. I also did my T206 website to display pictures. It was fun. I enjoyed the scanning, cropping etc. Helped make my checklists more visual. I picked up HOFer and SL cards periodically. Didn't wait until the end to find 4 Cobbs and a bunch of other southerners. Scott Reader's T206 PDF file was/is a must read. Explained so much. Creating a nice Excel spreadsheet/checklist was nice too. Organization never hurts. Mike Poland's excel spreadsheet was a great start. I 'tweaked' it for my set a bit. Got it from T206.org. Liked the 'T206 Collection' book as well. I would always reference it when new cards arrived. A poor man's wikipedia.

I've upgraded a few (about a dozen), but don't want to go too far with that. Those were 'must upgrades'... Have a few more of those. Mold etc. Even downgraded a couple. Traded or sold a few SGC 30/40 caliber cards for several more lower grades.

Some have asked - 'how much did it cost?'. I didn't keep good records (wish I had), but can say it was cheaper than I imagined. I sold some cards to establish a decent PayPal fund and didn't do much record keeping. Purchased a few larger lots and sold/traded the extras along the way. I'd recommend that to everyone. Trading was/is great! Added to the experience.

No question, Steve's (Ladder7) 'beantown' finds from 2011 helped. Many members purchased those cards and I was able to pickup the left overs - or downgrades. LOL

Honestly can't say how grateful I am. This 'set' wouldn't be nearly as fun without the help of this board. My last 2 cards were actually donated from board members!! (Thanks Steve F. and Brian W.)

Thanks to all!

[Danny Smith]

Congrats on the awesome feat. I'm about 100 or so away. Looking forward to the day that i can finish off the monster.

Danny

[Piratedogcardshows]

Great job.Now I need to find a stack of T's to hold.

[Vegas-guy]

Very cool.. Congrats!

[atx840]

I think they are beautiful, well done.

[g_vezina_c55]

Contrats!!!!

[Northviewcats]

Great job. I'm at 300 and still plugging away. I can only imagine how cool it will feel when I reach the finish line. Your post gives me hope.

Thanks for sharing.

Joe

[t206blogcom]

Congrats and great job! No easy task for sure. I'm 11 away from getting 520/524 myself. The hunt continues...

[ethicsprof]

congratulations!!! quite a milestone!

all the best,
barry

[AndyG09]

Jon,

Congrats on your accomplishment!

Best,

Andy

[Runscott]

Well-done! I have one of your uncle's boxes - just need another 460 or so cards to put in it.

[Blunder19]

Hey Jon,

Just got done looking at all your hard work.... Great Job!!!.. that is very tough to do.... I hope you get to keep it for a long time

all the best!

Jamie

[tonyo]

Jon,
Congrats on fnishing and love the website display!

Tony

[toppcat]

Congrats on reaching your goal-not an easy task in so many ways!

[wonkaticket]

Congrats very very nice.

[doug.goodman]

Wow, fantastic, congratulations.

Doug

[freakhappy]

Jon,

Great job! Although it's not a crazy hard set to complete, a lot of time, money and effort goes into completing it...making it difficult enough!

I have a few years before I even come close to completing the set. I will enjoy the journey as much as possible.

Also, love the pics and website...awesome job and good luck on your next collecting venture. Enjoy the T206 set!

[dougscats]

Congrats, Jon.
Interesting reading, too.
Hope to join you one day.

[mrvster]

Jon,
CONGRATS!! big feat

[teetwoohsix]

Just want to say congrats and a very impressive display (website) as well !!

I loved seeing all of the Polar Bear backed cards that you have.....also a nice mix of backs as well. A great collection of well loved cards - a job well done.

What comes next? I'm sure you must still have the bug

Sincerely, Clayton

[dstraate]

Agreed with Clayton, that website is one of the better designed ones I've seen. You know, for beaters, the images are still very good on most. It's a great looking set.

[GKreindler]

I agree with David (who agreed with Clayton) - a really wonderful website to display a fine collection. It's visually appealing and easy to navigate, which may be the most important things to shoot for.

And of course, congrats on completing The Monster!!

Graig

[marktheshark83]

very cool.. Im not sure if i wanna just get the detroit tigers, or so for a set like yours

Huge congrats

[bbcard1]

Virtual fist bump! We'll have to get together one day and compare what low grade means!

[jp1216]

Thanks guys. I added a AB 350 no frame and decided to add the variations in reprint form. So, I have 524 with 12 reprints (10 variations plus Wagner & Plank). Resisting the urge to upgrade a few.... Someday.

Fielded a few PMs and emails about those 'T206 boxes'. The first dozen are all gone, but I'm sure a another half dozen may be in the works - based on interest.