my t205 set update!

[Bliggity]

I find that with T205s, eye appeal varies substantially more within the same grades than it does in other sets. Sure, you'll be able to find cards in any set that look great but grade low due to technical issues, but there are wild eye-appeal swings with T205s. I'm building a set in (roughly) all PSA 3. Like Econteacher said, the vibrant colors can hide a lot of wrinkles, but the borders on some of them are a nightmare. Dulling of the gold, along with edge/corner wear and chipping, can make a T205 look pretty chewed up, whereas the same type of wear on a white-bordered card wouldn't look nearly as bad. Here's one example, and it's not even really that bad:

Edge Wear

Then, you have some cards with absolutely gorgeous fronts (usual Polar Bears) that grade relatively low because of staining on the back:

Nice Front, Stained Back

The good news is that T205s are plentiful, and even the SPs (with the exception of a couple) come up pretty regularly, so there's a lot to choose from. But building a set with consistent "cosmetics" is an exercise in patience.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Bliggity

I find that with T205s, eye appeal varies substantially more within the same grades than it does in other sets. Sure, you'll be able to find cards in any set that look great but grade low due to technical issues, but there are wild eye-appeal swings with T205s. I'm building a set in (roughly) all PSA 3. Like Econteacher said, the vibrant colors can hide a lot of wrinkles, but the borders on some of them are a nightmare. Dulling of the gold, along with edge/corner wear and chipping, can make a T205 look pretty chewed up, whereas the same type of wear on a white-bordered card wouldn't look nearly as bad. Here's one example, and it's not even really that bad:

Edge Wear

Then, you have some cards with absolutely gorgeous fronts (usual Polar Bears) that grade relatively low because of staining on the back:

Nice Front, Stained Back

The good news is that T205s are plentiful, and even the SPs (with the exception of a couple) come up pretty regularly, so there's a lot to choose from. But building a set with consistent "cosmetics" is an exercise in patience.

I hear ya, Dan. Good examples. I have considered and have been studying T206 for a while along with some E95s and E96s. I like those cards, especially the T206s. However, I like what I am seeing from the 05s. The 05s interest me because it is loaded with quality HOFers, and the design is growing on me. T205 also is a set that I could actually complete (with time, patience, and $). If one likes to play around with back variations, the 05s offer that as well. They also appear to be a little more affordable than T206.

[Bliggity]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

The 05s interest me because it is loaded with quality HOFers, and the design is growing on me. T205 also is a set that I could actually complete (with time, patience, and $). If one likes to play around with back variations, the 05s offer that as well. They also appear to be a little more affordable than T206.

All great points. The basic set of 208 cards is very doable in VG-ish condition, with only two cards that will set you back $1K or just a bit more (Cobb and Joss). And you don't have to buy four Cobbs! Johnson and Young might run you about $500, and many of the HOFers can be had for about $100. Good-looking commons may only run you $25-30. I'm not super into back runs, but you're only looking at 17 different backs with T205s, as opposed to 38(?) with T206s. The colors and design are also phenomenal and unique, although one board member recently told me he found the T205 portraits a little too "creepy." (Hi Steve

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Bliggity

All great points. The basic set of 208 cards is very doable in VG-ish condition, with only two cards that will set you back $1K or just a bit more (Cobb and Joss). And you don't have to buy four Cobbs! Johnson and Young might run you about $500, and many of the HOFers can be had for about $100. Good-looking commons may only run you $25-30. I'm not super into back runs, but you're only looking at 17 different backs with T205s, as opposed to 38(?) with T206s. The colors and design are also phenomenal and unique, although one board member recently told me he found the T205 portraits a little too "creepy." (Hi Steve

That sounds doable. It does lead me to questions. I know I would discover this sooner or later, but do all T205s have multiple backs? For example, is T205 Cobb or Mathewson for example out there in multiple backs and, if so, are most T205 collectors content with one or do they chase different backs of HOFers? And would a basic set of 208 be all of the same back?

[Bliggity]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

That sounds doable. It does lead me to questions. I know I would discover this sooner or later, but do all T205s have multiple backs? For example, is T205 Cobb or Mathewson for example out there in multiple backs and, if so, are most T205 collectors content with one or do they chase different backs of HOFers? And would a basic set of 208 be all of the same back?

See post #7 on this thread:

List of confirmed T205 backs

Also, no, a full basic set of 208 could not all have the same back. There is no one back that is found on all 208 cards.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by Bliggity

See post #7 on this thread:

List of confirmed T205 backs

Also, no, a full basic set of 208 could not all have the same back. There is no one back that is found on all 208 cards.

Thank you, very helpful!

[Harford20]

Robert,
I posted a picture in reply #14 to this thread. Although I am a HOF collector, the photo shows multiple copies of many players, especially Chance, Brown and Matty. All of these are back runs, each with a different back. The run of Chance is complete, Brown is missing 4 including the IMPOSSIBLE Drum and Matty missing 3 (Including the $$$$Cycle 1-loss).

I just keep pecking away at finishing the backs of the set that I regard as THE pre-war set to collect.
Dave