Advice for switching in to prewar/vintage

[BBB]

I think the Mecca double folds are pretty cool and affordable ways to get a Cobb or Mathewson . If not, then maybe a tinker /Evers/chance or the potential joe Jackson pictures triple folder. Could also grab a lower tier , but still interesting star in CJ (ex. smokey joe wood.) getting something in low grade from 19th century can be a good call (anyone below cap anson or more like king Kelley level is affordable in low grade). Gotta get something from 33 goudey (hack Wilson, Rogers Hornsby , Jimmie foxx or dizzy dean). All That would cover a ton of ground in the vintage era


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[drcy]

T206s and 1933-4 Goudeys are great issues for beginners. Standard issues and colorful images of the players. The T206 is probably the greatest baseball card issue ever made and is collected by beginners and grizzled veterans. The T205s, 1914-5 Cracker Jacks, T201s, T202s, T207s, T204s, Diamond Stars and Play Balls are other standard classics. For 1800s, the similar standards include the Allen and Ginters and the Old Judges. There are countless issues to chose from, but those are some of the standard classics which are great for beginners to start in.

Auctions sometimes have "grab bag" lots, where you can pick up a lot of different issues. Great way to see a variety and see what tickles your fancy.

[btcarfagno]

One nice way to get good eye appeal cards at a lesser price is to find cards with some back damage. The front might be ex or better, but you only pay for a PR or pr-fr card.

Tom C

[Bruinsfan94]

Thank you everyone for the advice so far! I actually have been collecting vintage since I started collecting, just got into modern stuff for a while and haven't collected in a while! I was thinking of going with a couple nicer t206's since they are the ones I feel most comfortable with and I already have a collection of commons and some lower tier hall of famers.

Agreed on the back damage, I tend to look for things like that.

I do love the idea of picking up something 19th century as I don't have any baseball from them. What hall of famers would be affordable from Old Judge in lower grades? I assume but could be mistaking Clarkson? Griffth?

I'll check out the BST section for sure. Thanks again for all the help!

[Matt]

I would suggest getting cards from different issues - e.g. don't go all in on any one issue. There are hundreds of pre-war issues and you can get a hall of famer in most of them for under $100. Feel free to look around at OldCardboard or VintageCardPrices for a list of most issues with photos. You can peruse my album here as well, which shows my favorite card from 50 or so different pre-war issues.

Find what you like and start there - your taste will evolve as you learn more.

[Prince Hal]

I would suggest rather than working on a set like T206 you build a type set of pre-war issues comprised of either HOFers or just cards you find attractive. The T206 Merkle throwing is a great looking card in my opinion and only a fraction of a HOFer. Plus he was part of one of the most famous plays in baseball history. A Diamond Stars Lopez in decent shape will cost less than $100 and is a very cool looking pasteboard. There are so many pre-war sets out there that you will never get bored and usually there will be a HOFer or someone interesting you can afford.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Matt

I would suggest getting cards from different issues - e.g. don't go all in on any one issue. ...
Find what you like and start there - your taste will evolve as you learn more.

+1

Being a type collector when starting out is a good way to go because you will deal with more and as time goes you will find yourself preferring certain cards and that is where you should go.

Buying t206 is the easiest place to start because there are so many out there that unless you are looking for a specific one you aren't going to have any trouble picking them up whenever you want one.

When buying try and give yourself enough time to do research on the issue prior to buying. Try and avoid making any hasty buys when you are first starting out. Once you get to know an issue better than you can buy/place high bids as soon as you see the card, but until then google search will be your friend.

[glchen]

As others have said, as you are selling your modern collection, find 3-5 prewar vintage that you really like, and check out the prices in the condition that you want to make sure they will fit your budget. As you gather enough cash, then start pulling the trigger. Since you are only purchasing a few cards, make sure they are cards you would enjoy looking at all of the time.