T206 Mathewson dark or white cap?

[brianp-beme]

Here is a nice article by Anson on his site that was posted about this subject last year:

https://prewarcards.com/2019/08/12/t...k-your-poison/

I totally agree with him concerning the artwork depictions...both are cool cards, but the artwork on the black cap version is more refined when it comes to Matty's face. The black cap depiction captures the look of an intense competitor, while the face on the white cap version has always appeared to me as if it were airbrushed into vacant complacency.

I think the bulk of collectors prefer the look of the black cap version, and even though the white is much less common, both in the future might maintain similar values.

Even my low condition black cap is just so mesmerizing to look at (at least in my eyes)...

Brian

[brianp-beme]

And a nice (not mine) condition white cap version for comparison.

Brian

[DeanH3]

I have always preferred the dark cap. The refined artwork is a great way to phrase it. Plus, I think the NY logo on the sleeve adds a lot as well. Both great cards and come down to your personal preference.

[Throttlesteer]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

I have always preferred the dark cap. The refined artwork is a great way to phrase it. Plus, I think the NY logo on the sleeve adds a lot as well. Both great cards and come down to your personal preference.

Agreed. This is the quintessential Matty card in my opinion. Double-printed or not, it's my choice. A nice, bold copy is one of the most beautiful cards out there...period.

[sreader3]

White Cap is 250/524 in terms of scarcity while Dark Cap is 522/524. As others have alluded to, the scarcity difference is due to White Cap being in the tougher 150/350 subject group whereas Dark Cap is one of the six superprints that received enhanced printing. The price disparity between the two in PSA 5, on average, is more than the $100 you state in your original post. It's more like $500 (with White Cap commanding the higher price, as you might expect). I would say that if you are in the market for a PSA 5 and like the artwork of both equally well (or nearly so), go with White Cap if you can find a nice copy for less than a $500 premium over Dark Cap.

Approaching it a different way, I started pursuing the 520 set in PSA 5 in 2003 in a price-conscious manner and got to 440 before abandoning the project after a dozen years for a more modest HOF subset minus Wags and Plank. I picked-up Dark Cap quite early in the process (in 2006) but never found a copy of White Cap that fit my budget, even though I was willing to pay a decent premium over Dark Cap.

[Mozzie22]

As someone that has neither I definitely prefer the dark cap. Actually looks like him.

[drcy]

dark cap looks better to me

[Leon]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

I have always preferred the dark cap. The refined artwork is a great way to phrase it. Plus, I think the NY logo on the sleeve adds a lot as well. Both great cards and come down to your personal preference.

Chocolate and vanilla. I have always like the white cap the most.

[robw1959]

Originally Posted by Leon

Chocolate and vanilla. I have always like the white cap the most.

Me too! The White Cap version is a much larger image of Matty as well. I've always thought it's just far more visually appealing than the Black Cap version all the way around, regardless of scarcity factors. In the White Cap version, Christy looks calm and confident.

[pete zouras]

had to choose the one on the left, didn't give 2nd thought to the pinhole on the left (or one on the right border, too). Much nicer colors than the dark cap.

[pherbener]

I prefer the White Cap version, but anything Matty will do!

[tedzan]

Personally, I prefer the White Cap version. It is in the 150/350 Series and was printed with 11 different Tobacco backs.

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However, the Dark Cap version is in the 350/460 Series and was printed with at least 20 different backs.
Several of these backs are really difficult to find, and it's this challenge which I enjoy. For example........

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Or you can always settle for a PIEDMONT Matty.

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TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Tyruscobb]

My personal preference is the dark cap version. Both offer value if the purchase price is right. Buy whichever one speaks more to you.

[TheBig6]

Not a t206 but a white cap with NY on the sleeve

[ullmandds]

I have a white cap...1st t206 I ever procured as a kid! This is taken from similar image.