If you could only choose one

[Cardboard Junkie]

Baltimore News Ruth....by the way how many are known? Variations? Grade? Does anybody here own one?

[vintagerookies51]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Baltimore News Ruth....by the way how many are known? Variations? Grade? Does anybody here own one?

There are 10 known to exist- 6 blue and 4 red, as stated in an earlier post

[glchen]

Originally Posted by vintagerookies51

There are 10 known to exist- 6 blue and 4 red, as stated in an earlier post

One of them is in the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore : Link

and I've read that one collector actually has both colors.

[Howe’s Hunter]

Could I look at the back of the t206s before making my choice?

[brianp-beme]

I have no real answer...if presented the opportunity I would probably end up flopping around on the floor until they hauled me out of there.

Brian

[yanksfan09]

I'd take the Ruth for sure, no doubt about it

[kkkkandp]

Since I collect Old Judge almost exclusively these days it would be nearly impossible for me to pass up the Anson in uniform.

[Batter67up]

The Ruth is my choice!

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by glchen

One of them is in the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore : Link

and I've read that one collector actually has both colors.

Actually, there are two collectors who have one of each color.

[sox1903wschamp]

Just So Young

[ValKehl]

The Baltimore News Ruth, so that I could trade it to Dan McKee for his WaJos and other cards I covet!!
Val

[Wesley]

E107 Matthewson or E107 Wagner

[mark evans]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

The Baltimore News Ruth, so that I could trade it to Dan McKee for his WaJos and other cards I covet!!
Val

I likewise wouldn't mind to have the Ruth card to trade to Dan, and have a Mega Millions ticket for just that purpose. Failing that, and being a man of simpler (poorer) tastes, I think I could be happy with a Cracker Jack Joe Jackson.

[peterose4hof]

I only collect Cincinnati Reds cards, so if a Peck & Snyder was available I would grab that. If not, I would definitely go with the T206 Wagner just for the "cool" factor.

[Mikehealer]

How about either a Wagner or Plank with a Hindu back, at least it's possible.

[matty6]

The Newsboy Ruth is the rookie card of the greatest baseball player ever. Yet, the Matty E107 is the earliest one of my favorite player and a beauty of a pic...

And others on this list are rarer, but I'd have to choose the T206 Wagner. It's the Holy Grail!!!

[E93]

T206 Wagner, then Just So Cy Young

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Just So Young.

And if value was taken out of the equation... Just So Young.

I like your thinking, but I'd still take the T206 Wagner - gorgeous card and the most expensive in a set I'm sort of trying to build.

[sycks22]

I'd go with the '89 Upper Deck Dale Murphy reverse negative. That was a dream card growing up in the '80's.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

The only card that would distract me from a T206 Wagner would be a signed T206 Cobb...

You didn't get one from the Morey collection?

[97manoftroy]

From this list I have to take the Ruth.......but

A Signed 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #88 Christy Mathewson would be the pinnacle for me

[tcdyess]

Give me Babe!!!!

[kmac32]

T 206 Wagner which I would promptly sell

[Mark]

I'd take the Wagner since I need it to complete my Pirates team set for the T206's.

[bn2cardz]

Anson Uniform, I would give up all the other cards in my collection (not saying much) to display just this card in my house.

[dabigyankeeman]

If we are talking about putting it in my collection and not picking a card to sell, i would take The Babe, gotta take The Babe over anyone.

[Fred]

Yikes, what a choice.... since we're talking fantasy hypotheticals would I be allowed to consult two people -

First my conscience - I'd need to tell myself not to run out of the room with everyone of those cards...

Second, could I consult King Soloman? I'm sure this choice would be tougher than what he did with the baby and two moms...

It'd be a tough decision - I'd want to have the T206 Wagner because it's the T206 Wagner. It's the frigging HOLY GRAIL of cards. Sure, it's not the toughest card of the bunch but it is the T206 Wagner.

I'd love the N172 Anson as a close second.

Next would be the Ruth, the Just So and then a toss up between the Kelly and T210 Jackson.

[Bilko G]

Hands down id take the Baltimore news Ruth

[g_vezina_c55]

My choice : T206 Wagner

Classic image, a lot of history with this card, colorfull card, great HOF.

[dabigyankeeman]

T206 Wagner to re-sell and use the money for old Yankee cards.

However, if i had to keep the card, i would take the Baltimore News Ruth, my alltime favorite player.

[brewcrewfan77]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

I have no real answer...if presented the opportunity I would probably end up flopping around on the floor until they hauled me out of there.

Brian

+1 I'd be a drooling mess. The cards would be ruined by me picking one up, start to leave leave the room, just to stop think about it put it back and get a different one. Then repeat for about 5-10 hours. But really pressed it'd have to be the Ruth...no the Wagner...no the Anson...no...wait...Aw crap!

[ScottR81]

Baltimore News Ruth in blue....hence the photo )

[MattyC]

What a great thread!

For me, it would probably be...

1. Just So Cy Young - the sheer rarity gets me on this one
2. Baltimore News Babe Ruth - again, the overall pop number is sexy to me
3. T206 Honus Wagner
4. E107 Honus Wagner

But honestly, if I could reach into a grab bag and get any one of those four, I would be the happiest guy on earth. They are all insane cards, all with tremendously pleasing images.

[TUM301]

E 107 Christy M, T 210 Joe Jax, Balt. News Ruth. Hardest decision for me is choosing between my fav. set E 107 and my fav. collectable player Joe Jackson.

[drmondobueno]

Screw the rules. I'd take them all!!

All kidding aside, it would be very hard to choose between the Ruth and the Wags. The coin is in the air...I'll take the Wags, being a West Coast Pirate fan and a Monster collector.

[famousgolfers]

Not to side track the thread, but I know several people have mentioned taking the T206 Wagner and then reselling it to buy other cards. I know the Wagner PSA 8 has sold for the most money, but wouldn’t a Baltimore News Ruth or a Just So Cy Young in the same grade as the T206 Wagner sell for more money? Needless to say, I would take the Baltimore News Ruth.

[Steve D]

I suppose I'd take the T206 Wagner.

I'd then trade it for a lower grade example + cash, and use the cash to buy a Plank and Magie; therefore completing my set (missing only the Doyle NY Natl).

Steve

[Sean]

Great thread.
Leaving aside resale value, I would take the Doyle variation. I love the background story.

[Piratedogcardshows]

After reading my post when this thread was started I want to change my answer.I am going with the T210 Jackson.I still would love to have a Wagner but I think/hope that the Jackson is the one T210 out of reach from my set to be completed one day.

[sb1]

Having had the 1st four. I would probably go back and choose the Wagner. It's not a rare card but it has all of the mystique and allure that makes it special. I have a couple of Wagners which are much harder to find and lower pop, but missing the WOW factor.

[bnorth]

I would easily pick the T210 Joe Jackson and I have no idea of the value of any of the 11 cards listed being new to pre-war cards.
Because of this forum I seen the T210 cards for the first time and I knew I had to collect them. To me they are the most beautiful set ever made.

[Tao_Moko]

E107 Wags. It's early, rare and awesome.

[sb1]

The only knock on the E107's to some people(not me) is the fact that many of the stars are in suits and not uniforms. Otherwise they might bring more than the others.

[Jason Carota]

T210 Jackson, without a doubt. The #1 card (I'll give Stengel 1A ) from my favorite set.

[EvilKing00]

Ruth, easy call for me hes the best player of all time and thats his 1st card!

[conor912]

Easy. If you had to pick one player of all time to epitomize the sport of baseball, who would it be? Hint: it ain't Wagner.

[brian1961]

For this list-----easy. The Baltimore News Babe Ruth

What a card!

Of course, I'm a bit partial to regional / food issues.

Salute. -Brian Powell

[Rich Klein]

After all, that is the only card to have a book written about it.

[h2oya311]

Not much love for 19th century...

I have the same list as many...I'd definitely be torn b/w the Cy Young and Babe Ruth cards...but it'd have to be in this order:

(1) Baltimore News Ruth - either color
(2) Just So Young
(3) T206 Wagner

Every time I show a co-worker or friend an image of the 1914 Ruth online, they instantly become fascinated with baseball card collecting. Now that's "wow factor"!! Usually when I talk about baseball card collecting, eyes gloss over almost as much as if I explain what an actuary does at an insurance company...

[Brian Van Horn]

Wagner. I am from Pittsburgh, a Pirates fan, and live within 7 miles of Carnegie which was Wagner's birthplace and hometown throughout his life.