The hobby’s most iconic card under $15k?

[packs]

You can get MOST iconic cards for less than 15K. I think at that price all that you're excluded from is the 52 mantle (maybe not even excluded if you can find a real beater), the T206 Wagner, and Baltimore News Ruth.

I'm pretty sure 99% of all other iconic cards are attainable in collector grade condition for less than 15K.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Those are all great options IMO! Of those, I''d choose the yellow Ruth.

[Yoda]

Not on your list, but I have always loved the '41 Playball Joe D. A nice 6 should be about $15k.

[canjond]

I bought this one a few months back. Gotta love NM looking cards that have some paper-loss on the reverse!

[hcv123]

In priority order:

1) Goudey Ruth #144
2) T206 Green Cobb
3) Goudey Ruth #53
4) 1951 Bowman Mantle
5) 1952 Topps Jackie
6) 1951 Bowman Mays

The cards at whatever grade level should have strong centering and eye appeal.

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by hcv123

In priority order:

1) Goudey Ruth #144
2) T206 Green Cobb
3) Goudey Ruth #53
4) 1951 Bowman Mantle
5) 1952 Topps Jackie
6) 1951 Bowman Mays

The cards at whatever grade level should have strong centering and eye appeal.

Thanks Howard… thankfully, I already have the full body Ruth in my collection. I’m curious why you recommended Yellow Ruth over Red Ruth… rarity?

[Alaskanmade]

#1. Ruth, no question, not even close. In my opinion even better than that 52 Mantle.

#2. Mantle true rookie (51)

#3. Mays Rookie

All three of these are more more interesting and rare than a 52 Mantle in my opinion.

Regarding selling a bunch of cards to fund a big card. I have done that on two different occasions, each time picking up a card in the 12-17k range. Never regretted it.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

Thanks Howard… thankfully, I already have the full body Ruth in my collection. I’m curious why you recommended Yellow Ruth over Red Ruth… rarity?

Graded population wise it is about equal to the red. In my experience, it is higher demand than the red.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by hcv123

In priority order:

1) Goudey Ruth #144
2) T206 Green Cobb
3) Goudey Ruth #53
4) 1951 Bowman Mantle
5) 1952 Topps Jackie
6) 1951 Bowman Mays

The cards at whatever grade level should have strong centering and eye appeal.

I agree on these, especially 1 and 2. (as I have copies of both)
For some reason, the T205 Cobby isn't ever on one of these lists, but I think he should be! Because of this (and the fact I own 2 so am hopeful) the upside might be pretty good. That's not the reason I love the card though. It's one of the best looking cards in the hobby, of one of the greatest players ever.

I paid about 15k for this one (around a year and a half ago)...About 2500 more than it sold several months earlier and am still happy to look at it.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by Leon

I agree on these, especially 1 and 2. (as I have copies of both)
For some reason, the T205 Cobby isn't ever on one of these lists, but I think he should be! Because of this (and the fact I own 2 so am hopeful) the upside might be pretty good. That's not the reason I love the card though. It's one of the best looking cards in the hobby, of one of the greatest players ever.

I paid about 15k for this one (around a year and a half ago)...About 2500 more than it sold several months earlier and am still happy to look at it.

Yeah, that is pretty iconic right there in that grade, I would be happy looking at that too.

[BeanTown]

Originally Posted by canjond

I bought this one a few months back. Gotta love NM looking cards that have some paper-loss on the reverse!

Great card Jon and let’s add a little writing to the back like paper loss.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

You can get MOST iconic cards for less than 15K. I think at that price all that you're excluded from is the 52 mantle (maybe not even excluded if you can find a real beater), the T206 Wagner, and Baltimore News Ruth.

I'm pretty sure 99% of all other iconic cards are attainable in collector grade condition for less than 15K.

Not sure you could touch a 25 Exhibit Gehrig or get a decent 14 CJ Cobb or Jackson at those prices?

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not sure you could touch a 25 Exhibit Gehrig or get a decent 14 CJ Cobb or Jackson at those prices?

I actually considered a 1915 CJ Cobb but for my budget, the quality of recent sales just isn’t great.

But I’d LOVE to add that to this mix of options

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

I actually considered a 1915 CJ Cobb but for my budget, the quality of recent sales just isn’t great.

But I’d LOVE to add that to this mix of options

Get another Ruth. The red and green are perfectly acceptable and equally iconic IMO. My second and third choices would be a T206 Cobb Portrait and a 51B Mantle.