t205 vs t206...Which Do You Like Best?

jchcollins · #1 12-21-2021, 11:24 AM

Disclaimer: I don't really collect prewar for the most part - because I couldn't afford it as a kid, and then I certainly couldn't afford it when I got back into the hobby in my late 30's a few years back. For my money I'd rather get midgrade cards of HOF'ers from the postwar era than beat cards of players I've never heard of from prewar - but I digress. I did grow up learning a lot about these sets, and have had the odd cards pass through here and there in my collection:

I would not disparage T206 as one of the great sets of all time. It was the first major national issue of cards that kids could for the most part get their hands on, and of course the Wagner made it iconic - and probably is the reason that poor condition commons from the set go for $50 and up (on eBay I can't find many even that cheap...) today. It's probably the most important set historically, in part due to those reasons.

My choice here would be T205 however, because if nothing else I would say it's sorely underrated in comparison to T206 and as perhaps the greatest follow-up set of all-time. There are still elements of T205 being reasonable and down to earth that no longer exist with T206, IMO. I think you all have pretty well covered that.

nebboy · #2 12-21-2021, 12:22 PM

Both have iconic cards in it respective set. But I�m on the T205 side of the fence.

trambo · #3 12-21-2021, 05:22 PM

T205 for me for sure. I really do like both sets and have a 521 in t206 and complete master set in t205. I really like the card design of t205 vs t206 and the player info is fantastic!

As a set builder, I also believe the t205 set is a tougher build notwithstanding Wagner, Doyle, Plank and (to a lesser extent) Magie.

Either way you vote, both are fantastic but t205 will likely always be my favorite!!

kmac32 · #4 12-21-2021, 08:08 PM

Definitely T205 in my book. I collect the Cubs and T206 was way to easy for me so I sold them. Have 149/ 151 possible Cubs front/ reverses. Only 2 to go.

Fred · #5 12-21-2021, 08:34 PM

T206 is THE monster, but I like the T205s because of the backs/short bios/stats and gold borders (which make finding nice condition cards near impossible). The problem with T205 is no Johnson, Wags and a few others.

Leon · #6 12-21-2021, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred

T206 is THE monster, but I like the T205s because of the backs/short bios/stats and gold borders (which make finding nice condition cards near impossible). The problem with T205 is no Johnson, Wags and a few others.

There are T205 Johnsons.... I had a PSA 7 very early on for me....bought it from Brockelman at a show. By far my biggest purchase to that time.
.

cgjackson222 · #7 12-21-2021, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred

T206 is THE monster, but I like the T205s because of the backs/short bios/stats and gold borders (which make finding nice condition cards near impossible). The problem with T205 is no Johnson, Wags and a few others.

Yeah, T205 lacks Wagner, Lajoie, Plank, Crawford and others but it does have Walter Johnson (who I am assuming is the Johnson you were referring to).
I believe the T206 has 38 Hall of Famers represented by 74 cards to the T205s 27 Hall of Famers.

ValKehl · #8 12-21-2021, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred

T206 is THE monster, but I like the T205s because of the backs/short bios/stats and gold borders (which make finding nice condition cards near impossible). The problem with T205 is no Johnson, Wags and a few others.

Fred, these are for your viewing pleasure:

Fred · #9 12-21-2021, 10:18 PM

Duh....

cgjackson222 · #10 12-22-2021, 02:04 PM

If I were a set collector, I'd go with the T205 as it is more attainable and I love the backs. But I am mostly after Hall of Famers' cards that I think are aesthetically pleasing, with a strong preference for action shots over portraits. I think some of the most beautiful cards ever made are T206s with my favorites displayed in the picture (I picked up the Lajoie with bat from a board member).

Having 38 Hall of Famers represented by 74 cards in the T206 set compared with the 27 Hall of Famers for the T205 helps a lot too.

There are really only a few cases in which I think the T205 version of a Hall of Famer is better looking, with Home Run Baker, Bender, and Tris Speaker coming to mind.

So because I am only after a few exceptional action shot cards, my strong preference is T206, but I totally understand the allure of the T205.

ValKehl · #11 12-21-2021, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchcollins

... I would not disparage T206 as one of the great sets of all time. It was the first major national issue of cards that kids could for the most part get their hands on, ...

I have long thought that this statement was more applicable to the N172 Old Judge cards. Am I wrong?

jchcollins · #12 12-21-2021, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValKehl

I have long thought that this statement was more applicable to the N172 Old Judge cards. Am I wrong?

Not 100% sure, (I don't collect prewar...) but I've always heard it in terms of T206 since they were more colorful, and boys use to either get their dads to hand them over, or occasionally finagle them themselves. I suppose it was possible with Old Judge as well, just have never really heard that.

Pat R · #13 12-21-2021, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Not 100% sure, (I don't collect prewar...) but I've always heard it in terms of T206 since they were more colorful, and boys use to either get their dads to hand them over, or occasionally finagle them themselves. I suppose it was possible with Old Judge as well, just have never really heard that.

From a December 27th 1887 New York newspaper.

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jchcollins · #14 12-21-2021, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat R

From a December 27th 1887 New York newspaper.

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Very interesting. Thanks for posting!

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