Grandpa's Tobacco Cards

[Batjac1]

Hi Guys,

I am new to the forum. I have to say, I love the passion you guys bring to this hobby.

I am not in the hobby, and lost touch with the sport a long time ago. I am here because I need some expert advise. Back in 1960's, my grandfather gave me a shoebox full of tobacco and caramel cards that I put in plastic sleeves in binder, where they have sat ever since.

The collection includes; T205's, T206's, T201's, T210, T227, T49, T51, E91, E98, and E101.

Cobb, Mathewson, Johnson and other big names are represented. There's even an H. Wagner - yeah, Heinie not Honus... (I've done some of my homework.)

There are about 200 of them, in various condition, and I'm not sure what to do with them.

I was thinking of having the top ten per cent (as best as I can figure) graded and put them on the market, or since there are 115 T205's should I sell everything else and join the hobby and try to complete the T205's?

If I have them graded, do I go with SGC or PSA?

Thanks for your guidance.

[bbcard1]

it all depends on your needs and your desires...what you have is a cool thing and I am sure marketable...the better the condition, the better the price, but it is probably all fairly marketable.

What is you goal? Do you want/need money? are there any rare variants or cards in exceptional condition? Do any of the cards or sets especially appeal to you? What would you do with the proceeds of the sale that is preferable over owning the cards? Do you want to pass some on?

Lots of strategic questions and what you want before you get to the tactical ones of how to achieve it, but enjoy the opportunity to answer them. Sounds like a great find.

[wonkaticket]

Sounds like a very nice collection. I would reach out to one of the many auction houses and ask for some support and guidance. Love of the Game is one that comes to mind.

http://loveofthegameauctions.com/

Also depending when you put these in sleeves if it was done in the 70’s or early 80’s. You may want to check them. Many of the early plastic protectors had a chemical which actually damaged cards so be careful and check.

In terms of grading should you decide to get them graded. Both SGC and PSA are good choices. I like SGC but it's a personal preference.

Another option is to do a bunch research via eBay and others and use our own BST here to sell cards that you have figured out a rough value on by doing some research.

Wish you the best and keep a few if you can as they were your grandfathers.

Cheers,

John

[tiger8mush]

sounds neat! can you post some scans?

[E93]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Sounds like a very nice collection. I would reach out to one of the many auction houses and ask for some support and guidance. Love of the Game is one that comes to mind.

http://loveofthegameauctions.com/

Also depending when you put these in sleeves if it was done in the 70’s or early 80’s. You may want to check them. Many of the early plastic protectors had a chemical which actually damaged cards so be careful and check.

In terms of grading should you decide to get them graded. Both SGC and PSA are good choices. I like SGC but it's a personal preference.

Another option is to do a bunch research via eBay and others and use our own BST here to sell cards that you have figured out a rough value on by doing some research.

Wish you the best and keep a few if you can as they were your grandfathers.

Cheers,

John

+1 on everything John said. If you go the auction route, they will usually pay to have your cards graded, or at least the representative ones that are worth grading.

Al at Love of the Game Auctions is honest and fair. He will treat you well.
JimB

[Batjac1]

Hey,

I didn't realize you guys have a great disdain for stories about cards passed down from "grandpa" - wish I knew that before I posted. He died in 1982. His father in law was head of maintenance in a NYC office building around 1910-1911. He had his staff pull the cards out of the waste baskets at the end of each day or so the story goes. The cards are legit. They haven't been out of my possession since I was a kid.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by Batjac1

Hey,

I didn't realize you guys have a great disdain for stories about cards passed down from "grandpa" - wish I knew that before I posted. He died in 1982. His father in law was head of maintenance in a NYC office building around 1910-1911. He had his staff pull the cards out of the waste baskets at the end of each day or so the story goes. The cards are legit. They haven't been out of my possession since I was a kid.

What happened? Did someone PM you with some nonsense?

In my opinion, the sale venue will depend on condition. There are different auction houses that cater to various kinds of collectors.

What E91s do you have? If I were to keep any, It would be the e101s or t210s, it all depends on taste. If you like the t205s, keep them, and welcome

[kmac32]

You might post some scans here which could help with any advise given

[Batjac1]

What do you think?

[Batjac1]

Yeah, they are in sleeves since the '70's. I need to get them out.

[kmac32]

Look nice to me

[travrosty]

dont bother having them graded, its a waste of time, grading is just a scheme to collect money from people and assign an arbitrary number to a card, when we can all see what condition it is in anyway. leave them raw.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by travrosty

dont bother having them graded, its a waste of time, grading is just a scheme to collect money from people and assign an arbitrary number to a card, when we can all see what condition it is in anyway. leave them raw.

I agree, for collecting, not for selling. I seek out raw cards for my collection, most don't. It's 2013 and people collect plastic, these are the facts. Don't bother grading cards that are probably a 1 or 2, let the buyer cover the grading fee. Anything you are sending in to be graded, try to have the auction house pay for it.

[ethicsprof]

welcome aboard!
you've received some good advice.
i second the comments of Prof.JimB.
all the best to you,
barry

[Cardboard Junkie]

Rare backs can make BIG bucks difference!

[Batjac1]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Rare backs can make BIG bucks difference!

Got only one UZIT in the collection!

[kmac32]

Personally, my collection is in SGC slabs but that is me. I have heard that PSA may bring a little higher dollar on the flip side.

[Batjac1]

I will definately be keeping some of them.

Don't really need the cash at the moment. My passion is guitars and I have enough of them.

I don't have anyone to pass them on to who would appreciate them, and I know that you folks do, so I think I'd like to see at least some of them in the hands of folks who collect them.

I think I will get the top ones graded.

iI heard SGC is better for T cards. Is there any consensus on that out there?