Are new T206's an impossibility???

[ksabet]

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day and we wondered if at this point given the amount of fraudulent activity in the hobby, would it be impossible for a rare backed Wagner or other previously uncatalogued T206 with a rarer back to surface and pass the challenge of acceptance in an ever increasingly skeptical public eye?

The question is, for argument's sake: If an old lady in a rural area was discovered to own a Wagner Polar Bear or Cycle back, even if it was legit with science behind it, would we ever accept it as the real deal?

I have seen the hell some have gone through to prove legitimacy.

Just a curious thought.

[FrankWakefield]

A white border Wagner with a Cycle or Polar Bear back would be met with steadfast incredulity. Even if it got slabbed by someone.

[hunterdutchess]

I think you would have a better chance of finding Noah's Ark or the Holy Grail before finding an original Polar Bear Wagner. I did see a Polar Bear Wagner sell on ebay awhile back but it was one of thoes "unknown" found in uncles atic auctions, I think it went for $200.

[Rob D.]

I think, given a certain amount of credible evidence, some people would at least have an open mind to a new discovery. Not immediately accept it, mind you, but at least be willing to consider it. (Whether a slab is involved would have little to do with it. Just because some people collect graded cards doesn't mean they let professional grading companies do their thinking for them.)

Other people, no matter what the facts, would not even consider it. You see that happen almostly monthly on this board.

A similar scenario to the one you describe sort of played out with the discovery of the T206 Doyle N.Y. Nat'l variation. As the late Joe P. posted on Net54, there were experienced T206 collectors who for many years refused to acknowledge the rarity. They eventually changed their minds, Joe enjoyed pointing out.

[ksabet]

I will admit that after being mostly a lurker on this board I myself would even be skeptical and most likely dismiss someone who claimed to have found a newly discovered variation.

It's funny because I think in other arenas such as coins, currency stamps and especially art, new discoveries seem to be welcomed with a more open minded attitude. Not sure why (and I am one of the skeptics) with vintage cardboard there is a narrower line for discovery.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by ksabet

I will admit that after being mostly a lurker on this board I myself would even be skeptical and most likely dismiss someone who claimed to have found a newly discovered variation.

It's funny because I think in other arenas such as coins, currency stamps and especially art, new discoveries seem to be welcomed with a more open minded attitude. Not sure why (and I am one of the skeptics) with vintage cardboard there is a narrower line for discovery.

Kiya,

It's because vintage cardboardists don't have any social skills

[toppcat]

A new Wagner would have to be consistent with a 150 Series back, no?

[frohme]

On a smaller (than Wagnerian) scale, the "known lists" of the various front/back combos are still somewhat incomplete in the eyes of this board, even for some of the more common backs.

Ted's "n of 14" threads with commentary, additions, clarifications and corrections are an example of the ongoing effort to establish - for T206 - just what those bounds are. Given the relative rarity of some of the backs, we may not ever really know if the lists are complete. Even "simpler" ones - like his mentions of the pending Sweet Cap "Factory 25" checklists - will be interesting when they come out and get extended.

New backs for existing front poses will certainly be viewed with less skepticism than ones that fall outside perceived or accepted patterns. Breaking a "rule" like the Uzit/Red Hindu exclusivity would raise eyebrows, hackles, and general mayhem, but likely less than a Powers with an SC 460/25 back.

A Cobb throwing, now that'd be a horse of a different color.

[ksabet]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

Kiya,

It's because vintage cardboardists don't have any social skills

James,

I have been to some shows and vintage guys can socialize with the best of them. And by socialize you do mean sitting and eating Arby's all day while complaining about everything and ignoring potential customers right?