Toughest T206's

[Jantz]

drdduet

I did some research (like RFURNISH has) before going to the National this year. There were 6 T206s I specifically put on my pickup list. I wanted to find and secure those 6 T206s first before purchasing any other T206s for my set. Here they are:

1. Shag Shaughnessy
2. Bok Hooker
3. Joe Doyle (Hands above Head)
4. Ed Karger
5. Hans Lobert
6. Frank Schulte (Front View)

I spent most of the week at the National looking for these 6 T206s. I was able to get 3 of them. I didn't find a single example of Hooker or Lobert. I did find 3 Shaughnessy examples though, but two were in real bad shape & the third was graded with a Hindu back and priced out of my spending range.

Ironically, I bought the Schulte from Ted Z. and when I got home that night, another board member offered me one that he had for sale. So I ended up buying both. One with a Sweet Cap. back and one a Piedmont.

Thats some of my experiences so far with the Monster.

Jantz

[pgellis]

I have been working on "The Monster" for about 4 years now. I compiled a population report using both SGC's and PSA's population report for just Southern Leaguers about a year ago.

I found the 3 scarcest SLers were: Ed Foster, Arch Persons, & Roy Ellam (in that order).

I also found that Jack Bastian is one of the easiest SLers to get.

This thread leads me to wonder what are the toughest "commons" in T206. I know that "common" is a tough word to define with T206, but I would say a "common" does not include: HOF, SL, Variations (i.e. George Brown, Frank Smith, Elberfeld, etc.).

So, what do you think the toughest "commons" are? It sounds like Ganley would be one of them.

[hennessey16]

my vote goes to carl lundgren, Chicago. I've seen very few come up on e-bay. I know their out their but some-one must be hoarding them.

[rfurnish]

T206 Collector makes a valid point about my overly simplistic list as it ignores the fact that cards which are perceived as being more valuable or raritys/Hall of Famers are more likely to be submitted for grading than the less famous guys. I was really trying to determine availability within the 4-5 range more than anything. A more dramatic example is that the red Cobb portrait is easily the most graded card in the set so I'm not really too worried about finding a card like this (that is on the back end of the list) when it comes time for me to pick one up...I'm pretty sure that one will be available. On the other hand, Jake Thielman currently ranks #32 on my list in terms of availability within the 4-5 range. I'm sure that there are plenty more ungraded Thielmans out there that would qualify, but for the time being, it just isn't as available as a lot of other cards in the set, in the condition that I'm looking for. No question that the Cobb is going to cost a lot more, but Thielman is probably going to be tougher for me to find. The Karger and Lundgren, Chicago cards also show up pretty high on my list. So when I'm shopping, if I come across the opportunity to pick up a Thielman, Karger, or Lundgren vs another relatively unknown player who is ranked back in the #300 range....well, it's an easy decision as to which one to get now. I do believe that the Smith, Chicago & Boston, the Elberfeld, Washington, and the Kleinow, Boston cards are pretty overrated. The population numbers on those cards seem pretty ordinary and I see them up on EBay pretty regularly. None of these three have the Hall of Famer factor and given their population numbers, I just can't get real excited about paying a premium for these three...it's hard to justify.

Again, please let me stress that Scot's research is much more complete than mine. My conclusions are just based on one small slice of the overall pie. The research that both Scot and Ted Z. have done regarding this set is amazing...thanks a ton to both of you guys.

[teetwoohsix]

I picked up this Ganley a while back in a GAI holder,sent it to SGC for crossover,came back with same grade-V/G 3,I try to collect in the V/G range or better.I just did an Ebay search,T206 Ganley,and they only had one in an Ebay store Big Hit Sportscards,graded BVG V/G 3,BIN price $600.00,or best offer.Am I missing something here?It did not seem so hard to get,and the Zimmerman was also easy for me to get-those other 4,I do not have,and don't see them offered so much...........

[donmuth]

I don't think you're missing anything. Your SGC 40 Ganley looks nicer than the one on eBay. The eBay Ganley BIN is just way offf. It's a low/mid grade common that maybe is somewhat tougher than average but is nowhere near deserving of the $600 price tag. Unfortunately, it's not the only far out BIN both on eBay and other online stores.

Having said that, there are some good BINs on eBay and elsewhere if you look around. I have watchlisted/bookmarked some T206s that are graded in the SGC 20-40 range that look much better than their grades and are priced at $20-40.

I think about it this way - I could pick up at least 15 of those nice SGC 20-40's for what I'd pay for that one overpriced Ganley! It's not a hard choice when put like that.

[teetwoohsix]

Thanks Donny,I agree with you 100%.That BIN price is pretty absurd,although if the seller can get someone to pay that much,I wouldn't turn it down.
One T206 I think seems to be less available now than a year ago is the T206 Nap Lajoie w/bat.
I'm not saying you can't find one,they are for sale now on Ebay,just not as many as there used to be,and it seems like the price range for them has slightly gone up also.
Of course,the Southern League cards are always more difficult,but I do see them being sold.
How about Royal Shaw,Juan Viola,Foley White,Dolly Stark?
I am not on Ebay as much as I used to be,but when I was,these were a few I'd rarely see put up for auction.
I love The Monster.
Regards,Clayton