Best value in HOF T206 Portraits?

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

Thanks John.

I would agree that the Cobb red portrait is the cheapest. Not sure it is undervalued. Agree that it will keep going up, as it seems will every other T206 Cobb card. But the question is relative value.

This is actually a hard question imo, because, at least in terms of answers, it essentially is asking which of the first tier HOFers is the most affordable. If so, I would say Matty or Cy. But they certainly are not cheap even now. If you are asking beyond that, I would say Collins, who is criminally underrated, maybe Lajoie despite his price increase, Walsh, who was a great pitcher in the day and whose card is gorgeous. Maybe Chesbro and Keeler., although they wouldn't be my pick to increase. For T206 non-HOFers, clearly Dahlen, who has (IMO) deserved election for years and will have anther shot in 2021. My brother and I, who agree on almost nothing else, agree that he should be elected. I guess we'll see.

[daves_resale_shop]

Definitely collins... like speaker, its one of his earlier cards... Stats are comparable to lajoie, but card values seem to trail his...

Registration on that card can be tough but every mow Nd agIn you can find one thT is nice on the eyeS

[packs]

Now that I've thought about it, if you're chasing the Lajoie portrait I'd change gears and go after the Lajoie with bat. That card is a real card's card.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by packs

Now that I've thought about it, if you're chasing the Lajoie portrait I'd change gears and go after the Lajoie with bat. That card is a real card's card.

I have a lower grade copy of the Lajoie portrait. I'd like to go after some more portraits first (for whatever reason they are what's holding my interest right now...) before venturing out. But yes the Lajoie w/ bat is a nice card.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by daves_resale_shop

Definitely collins... like speaker, its one of his earlier cards... Stats are comparable to lajoie, but card values seem to trail his...

Registration on that card can be tough but every mow Nd agIn you can find one thT is nice on the eyeS

Given that I'm also a Collins, I guess I should be interested in Eddie...

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Given that I'm also a Collins, I guess I should be interested in Eddie...

And don't forget about your other Collins ancestor with a T206 Hall of Fame portrait...Jimmy.

Brian (image courtesy of the internet)

[Rhotchkiss]

I have been following this thread for a week now, and only now am I able to form my opinion on the subject matter: Unless you are looking to sell the card in the relative short term, current “best value” is irrelevant.

I am long on the cards I own, which means I consider where I think value will be in the relatively distant future. Under these circumstances, I have confidence in T206s generally, and Cobb, Young, Wajo, and Matty, specifically, bc they are absolute studs. I also believe that Tinker-Evers-Chance as well as Speaker, Lajoie and E Collins will have continued appeal; this is not only bc they were great players, but also because they are from big markets and historic teams and/or have a unique lore that transcends their career (Tinker-Evers—Chance poem; 1933 Goudey Lajoie, etc).

I think players like Walsh, Waddell, Joss, Bender, Baker, etc. will have on-again, off-again appeal, and if you time the market right, you could make a few bucks. But I am not a gambler and am not interested in timing the market. I would rather go with the “sure thing” (or as close as it exists in cards). To me, that means Cobb, Young, Wajo and Matty, as well as rare backs on higher-end HOFers.

Note, this post assumes Wagner and Plank are non-factors for the OP, although I believe both are tremendous longterm investments.