T207 Napoleon backs from 1912

[kmac32]

this has probably been hashed over before but is there a premium on T207 Napoleon backs? They seem fairly rare compared to the typical Recruit backs, and less common than Broadleaf and anonymous backs. Does anyone have some type of system for determining the value of the different T207 backs? Thanks,

Kmac

[caramelcard]

Hi Ken,

They're pretty tough to find. You'll find them with the same subjects as the recruits which is in my opinion one of the reasons why they're not as valuable as the other class of backs.

There's no system for value, but it's a good time to collect them.

Rob

[frohme]

Hey Ken,

I think Rob pretty much covers it. Previous survey numbers have them as pretty scarce/low-pop, but no one really seems to care ... in the same way that no one gives two hoots for the anonymous back in the Recruit series either. Those are on par difficulty-wise with the Napoleon-backed cards, but since they're all the same fronts, the only people that care are those putting full front/back runs together, either by player or team or position or a type set of backs, or ... whatever.

As for the backs, and valuations... its a tough call, primarily because there's a good bit of variation of difficulty within each class and back. No hard/fast rules
apply, per se. The Broadleaf class cards (Broadleaf, Cycle, Anon 25 backs, and the Anon 3 backs with the same 50 fronts) are harder (generally) than the Recruits, but the difference between, say, Mogridge and Benz in Broadleaf is significant. Cycles command a small premium as has been noted here before, likely due to the color, and (slight) scarcity difference. Within the recruit class, sure, Napoleon-backed cards are more difficult than the Recruits, but you;ll see ones that sit on eBay with BIN for a while, even with a fairly small multiplier for the back.

Whether or not its a good time to collect them or not is another question. Maybe some day, T207's will feel the love, but its been a while. Caertain cards seem to do well, and certain backs have some following, but T207s generally plod along, and there's not any real sign that they'll pick up any time soon. Maybe that means it *is* a good time to buy them, don't know.

Am I pessimistic? Sure thing. After buying as a "collector", thinking about the likely loss when divesting leaves me a little cold... sure won't be going out Gangnam style.

Hey Rob - hope you're well.

--
Mike

[caramelcard]

Hey Mike,

Yeah, that's what I meant by good time to collect. They seem to be pretty cold right now. It's refreshing to collect a set that's not hot. Too bad I'm not collecting them anymore. When a few of us were accumulating a lot of them of course they were on fire. At this year's national, I did not see any T207s trading. I didn't have that many at my table, but we had a few really nice ones and sold none. Didn't even show any to collectors.

Over the last 15 years or so, I can think of only a couple of folks that have collected Napoleon backs specifically. Always thought it was a good niche though.

Rob

[kmac32]

reason for the question is I am trying to complete a T207 Cubs subset. I have all 10 cards and now I am going for an example of each of the backs as a type set. Picked up Chance in Napoleon back and seem to have a fair deal but more curious if there was any multiplier on price. The book I have talks about Broadleaf and anon supposedly going for 1.5 times a recruit back but it really did not address the Napoleon backs. Only one missing in my back type set is a Cub with Broadleaf back.

[bcornell]

Agree with the points made by Mike and Rob.

I'm not sure anyone knows for certain if there are also Napoleon backs for each of the 150 cards that can have Recruit backs. My guess would be not. I think there's a subset of harder Recruit backs that aren't found with Napoleons.

As for the multiplier, that's in the eye of the T207 beholder. Say 2-3x what a Recruit would get, maybe. The hardest back of all (other than Red Cross, of course) is the Anon. from Louisiana, but I don't think anyone cares.

Bill