T206 Action versus Portrait cards and the T205 set

[Ease]

For me, t205s are the ultimate in lithography, when one is found with crisp registration and thick, sparkling gold borders that catch the light just right, well it can't get much better than that. The artwork is just so much more advanced than the 206s imo. Of course there are uglies in both sets, but it seems to me that there was more work involved in the design and production of the t205s as compared to the t206s.

[T205 GB]

Wow a T205 bashing thread. Well I am used to it. I would rather buy a $100 205 card that there is only 100 or less of than buy a $100 206 that there are thousands of. I look at the 206 set as the gateway. You start there and advance into better. Stopped collecting them 6 yrs ago but good news is my 8 yr old collects them

[tonyo]

As a general rule I prefer "action" (or really it's more: "let's see more of the uniform" that I prefer) over portrait. I still like the portraits though.

T205's I certainly love the look of them and I think that individually the t205 NL design may be my favorite of all prewar designs. Also appreciate the detail in the artwork. However, when it comes to the prospect of collecting the entire set, all those heads lined up becomes a little too repetitive for me.

[cyseymour]

I vote T206 portraits. The action poses are nice and all, but the portrait poses are truly striking. Love the OJ portraits, too.

T205 was a hot set about five years ago but has cooled considerably. I agree that it looks funny with the floating heads, but that didn't deter collectors for a long time. The set has cooled off considerably and prices are now affordable.

Because of the sensitive borders on the T205's, a lot of them don't look so good. However, high-grade T205's with four sharp corners can be stunning.

[T205 GB]

Like these AB 205's

[arc2q]

Interesting question. I am much more into the T206 portraits. They have richer detail, look so distinctive, and have attractive backgrounds. Obviously, I am also okay with the action shots but they are not as stylish in my opinion.

I appreciate that the T205s had stats and bios on the back. Much more like our concept of modern baseball cards. But do tend to think they have a more cartoonish look than T206-- which appears more stately.

To be fair, the images on T206 are clearly not specific to that set and, in many cases, predate T206 by many years. So the attractive qualities of T206 are actually shared by several other sets.

[frankbmd]

I wasn't bashing the 205s in my prior hopefully jocular post.

I would in fact pursue the set from an artistic point of view if there was one format instead of three.

I prefer the National League format of portraits (yeah the dead guys) to the funky diamonds behind the AL players. I sort of think both leagues should have the same rules and formats.

I also am not a fan of the DH. Baseball is a nine man game, not a ten man game. Once again I prefer the NL game. I'm consistent at least.

The minor league 205 format is my least favorite.

So maybe I am bashing the T205s but not for the reason previously stated.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by T205 GB

Wow a T205 bashing thread. Well I am used to it. I would rather buy a $100 205 card that there is only 100 or less of than buy a $100 206 that there are thousands of. I look at the 206 set as the gateway. You start there and advance into better. Stopped collecting them 6 yrs ago but good news is my 8 yr old collects them

Andrew

You know that I'm not bashing here. You and I have talked about T205's quite a bit these past years. The back bios are certainly a welcomed feature....missing in T206's.
In my opinion, I would have preferred that American Litho. printed more of a mix of action images in the T205's (similar to the 12 images of the Minor Leaguers). Here are
examples of T205 portraits that IMO are great....Matty, Johnson, Baker, Bresnahan, Wheat (and more). Conversely, there are some images that are "bad".....e.g., Cobb.

........... bad image ......... v--------------------------------------------------- great images --------------------------------------------------v














TED Z

[peterb69]

T202's are the "cat's meow".

Potraits, action, and bios.