Why do you collect T206's as opposed to other cards/sets?

[atx840]

Surplus...relatively....of scraps and errors.
F/B combos keep it interesting.
Endless ways to collect it.
Plethora of inventory.

[kmac32]

I don't, T206 does nothing for me.

[g_vezina_c55]

endless way to collect too
look of the card.. the picture the color...
avalaibility
the set include the most famous rarity of the hobby

[freakhappy]

Because they are the best, duh!

Huge compilation of cards...tons of ways to collect them
front back combos
huge availability (for most)
cool people collect them
did I mention it includes the most famous card of all time?
different poses of several players
tons of variations to collect/errors
history is second to none
tons of HOFer cards

endless reasons...forgot one more....

because they are the best

[flavius]

I think the set makes you wonder more than any other set. They are such small cards, almost unbelievably small, and the graphics on them are so child-like. Not only do they take you back to a time that you can only imagine was like, but they do so in a very relatable manner. They are unlike any other set ever made, from the size, to the layout on the cards, the variety of the backs, and the lack of player stats/information. The cards are from a time period when baseball wasn't so much a "sport", but more like a gentlemen's game and something you sit down at the dinner table and have a good laugh about. The colors are so vivid yet simplistic and deep, and I think that is the main advantage it has over 19th century cards and things like t205.

[itjclarke]

I think the aesthetics of the set are incredible and diverse, but am even more drawn to the fact that there are just so many top tier Hall of Famers (Cy Young, Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Napoleon Lajoie, Tris Speaker, etc) and that many of those HOFers are found in mulitple poses. '33 Goudey shares many of these traits and, given both sets are pretty commonly found, they provided a perfect introduction into Pre War collecting when I started several years ago. I've since checked off most of my T206 want list, and have little/no interest in tackling the T206 set, so I guess I've mostly moved on to other things.. though still do check the new T206s on eBay daily.

[teetwoohsix]

+100 to what all of the other T206 collectors have already said- you guys said it all !!!!!

A thread titled "Why do you collect T206's as opposed to other cards/sets?" even brings out posters who sound like the Monster was their school yard bully Gotta love it !!!!!!! LOL

Sincerely, Clayton

[Bocabirdman]

Given the chance to buy all Pre-War cards from all issues, I would, and I do when the money works. My monkey needs to be feed on a regular basis, so waiting a few weeks/months to stash enough cash to go after some of the other sets on a regular, if slower pace is tough for me to do. Since I am only halfway into the Monster, I can still find and afford multiple cards a week. A happy monkey makes for a happy me.

[bbcard1]

Certainly T206 isn't the only thing I collect, but it is a "relationship" set for me. Although I have finished my base 520 set, I continue to piddle with it and replace the worst of the cards. If you have been at all sensible, it is generally easy to liquidate a card to help with an upgrade. I am starting to find other things I'd like to do. I have about ten different additional backs and would at least like to get one example of each major variation. I might eventually work on a player run...Bill Campbell seems the most likely candidate as I have a Carolina Brights back.

In the mean time, I am working on a low grade Delong, a high grade 61 topps and have started getting a flirting interest in the 1958 Hires (no tab). Also working on a couple of sets of T210 Roanoke cards, one for me, one for the local history museum. But I think I'll work on my T206 set the rest of my life.

[mrvster]

The Wagner drives the set....
The Plank, The Magie, The Doyle....The "Famous Errors" like the Doyle And Magie..

Those Big cards alone give the set recognition........

The mystique of how they were printed/produced/print groups, sheet arrangements...

The many mysteries like Brown OM, Brown lenox, Cobb Back...
The affordability (if you exclude condition and the big cards)....

The cool print scraps/errors/ and factory misprints almost create one of a kind cards within the set, or an "alternative" T206 set to be had, my favorite...

The endless combos 5,500 + combo's????

The availability, surplus, yet rarities,

Cool ass tough shortprinted backs.....

when you think you figured it out, the monster tricks you and you learn different things about the set almost daily...

The beautiful lithography not reproduced in many sets...

The inclusion of many HOFERS...
Iconic Poses...
Many ways to collect the set(sub sets, teams, poses, hofers, backs)...
Liquidity....
Great investments...


There are a TON of other reasons, that I will let other Chime in

[Jlighter]

Flavius I see your going by Bryan today.

[AndyG09]

I think most of us who collect 206s just catch a "passion residual" off of Johnny V, and that is enough to keep up the quest. Well put bro.

Best,

Andy

[mrvster]

Thanks Bro!

I forgot one of the most important.....People like Andy G and The rest here make collecting T206 That much more enjoyable...Andy, you keep me going

[Shoele$$]

All the reasons mentioned above, although I do have an affinity towards prewar candy cards, you just can't beat the T206 as an all around performer. The lithos are just so pleasing to the eye even to this day over 100 year later

[DeanH3]

I don't exclusively collect T206's but I do think they are one of the most beautiful sets ever produced. The color and detail is just supurb. Add in the allure and all the other great reasons already offered and you have a truly great set. I don't think I will ever stop collecting them.

[ullmandds]

While I collected T206 rare backs starting in the late eighties...and t206 was my gateway drug for getting deeper into vintage...I now have maybe 10 of them...and I no longer actively buy them.

While T206 are very attractive and the myriad off ways to collect them is appealing to many...their commonality and the over analysis of T206 has really turned me off and has directed me towards other T,D,E projects.

[t206fix]

1-We've all read that article from the teens describing kid's obsession with these cards. I was obsessed with similar little pieces of cardboard in 1983...(Donruss...yuck!) I could be one of those kids on the corner begging for the little scrap of cardboard from these men coming out of the smoking shops in 1910.

2-They are 100 years old.

3-The portraits...

4-The fact that no matter what I do (except marry someone really rich), I will never be able to afford a Wagner....

5-or Plank

6-or Doyle

7-but maybe... someday, with luck and chance ... I might own a Wagner, or Plank, or Doyle...

8-the Evers Portrait... that card is the best looking card ever, wait

8.1-the Keeler Portrait...that card is the best looking card ever, no...

8.2-the Lajoie Portrait...that card is king...

9-the fact that I, or any of you, have never seen any of these men play the game of baseball... but we know everything about them (#1 draft choice, ever...Ty Cobb)

10-but, I know, for a fact, if A-rod ever faced Walter Johnson, he would strike out...

-three times in a row...

-and then throw his batting helmet on the ground...

-which he didn't really need, because Wajo was such a nice guy, he never needed to throw at someone's head...

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by mrvster

The Wagner drives the set....
The Plank, The Magie, The Doyle....The "Famous Errors" like the Doyle And Magie..

Those Big cards alone give the set recognition........

The mystique of how they were printed/produced/print groups, sheet arrangements...

The many mysteries like Brown OM, Brown lenox, Cobb Back...
The affordability (if you exclude condition and the big cards)....

The cool print scraps/errors/ and factory misprints almost create one of a kind cards within the set, or an "alternative" T206 set to be had, my favorite...

The endless combos 5,500 + combo's????

The availability, surplus, yet rarities,

Cool ass tough shortprinted backs.....

when you think you figured it out, the monster tricks you and you learn different things about the set almost daily...

The beautiful lithography not reproduced in many sets...

The inclusion of many HOFERS...
Iconic Poses...
Many ways to collect the set(sub sets, teams, poses, hofers, backs)...
Liquidity....
Great investments...


There are a TON of other reasons, that I will let other Chime in

I thought you collect them because I told you to?

As for me, the amazing amount of Hall of Famers is what hooked me. I was always big into baseball history and the older the better. There isn't another set that big that is that old and attainable on a budget over time(except for the big three of course). Once I started collecting them though, then I got hooked on the different backs and finding them