Temptation to Collect the T206 set....

[jsfriedm]

It might already be too late for this, but I would just put in a plug for the T205 set instead:

1)Better-looking
2)More affordable
3)Actually has information about the player and stats on the back, not just tobacco advertising

[Vintagedeputy]

Originally Posted by jsfriedm

It might already be too late for this, but I would just put in a plug for the T205 set instead:

1)Better-looking
2)More affordable
3)Actually has information about the player and stats on the back, not just tobacco advertising

Agree 110%

I actually think T206 is an ugly set and not very well done. I’m a huge T205 fan.

[MVSNYC]

T206...the greatest set of all time, IMO. I bought my first one in 1991, been hooked ever since (now my son is hooked too).

My advice to people wanting to get into T206 is...focus on building a "collection" of cards, rather than a "set". Don't pressure yourself to get every card. There's so many ways to collect T206- HOFers, Southern Leaguers, Rare Backs, teams, printing errors, etc...Pick a focus to start with, and hit the ground running! Good luck.

[brianp-beme]

Or track down multiple of the same card fronts in order to pull off some fancy scanning.

Brian

[Orioles1954]

In my opinion, I always felt the T206 set to be kind of boring. T212 Obaks far surpass T206 in design.

[Wanaselja]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

T206...the greatest set of all time, IMO. I bought my first one in 1991, been hooked ever since (now my son is hooked too).

My advice to people wanting to get into T206 is...focus on building a "collection" of cards, rather than a "set". Don't pressure yourself to get every card. There's so many ways to collect T206- HOFers, Southern Leaguers, Rare Backs, teams, printing errors, etc...Pick a focus to start with, and hit the ground running! Good luck.

This is the way. Keep it focused to get yourself started. I did the HoF portraits first and am now looking to finish off all of the HOFers. My plan is to try the SLers after that. I don’t know if I’ll go further than that but between those 2 subsets I’ll have 20% of the set and almost all of the expensive ones.

[Casey2296]

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The good news is there are plenty of T206s available by far, compared to any other pre-war set so whatever way you want to collect you should be able to hit some goals, I'm not a T206 guy but do collect a Piedmont portrait run because I love the Horner images.

Whichever way you go best of luck to you and welcome to the sub.

[rand1com]

You never know when you might find a large lot of cards.

Just 6 short years ago, I bought a near set of 503/520 for $35K. Obviously missing 17 of the higher dollar cards but at the time I could have completed it in 2's for about another $30K. But, since I am a dealer, I flipped it as bought.

About 4 years ago a small card shop in SC bought a grouping of well over 300 different with a bunch of duplicates for a total of near 400 at an estate sale for $5K.

Granted, it is difficult these days but a nice near graded set of 518 sold in an REA auction a month or so ago for around $100K which was a bargain. The average grade was right at a 3 with most of the cards graded by SGC and a few by PSA. The O'Hara and Demmitt St. Louis versions and a Magie error which were broken from the set were bought for around another $20K so for $120K you could get a graded near set of 521/524.

Of course, most of us can't lay out $120K at one time but there are some possibilities out there if you look hard enough and get very lucky.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

.......My advice to people wanting to get into T206 is...focus on building a "collection" of cards, rather than a "set". Don't pressure yourself to get every card. There's so many ways to collect T206- HOFers, Southern Leaguers, Rare Backs, teams, printing errors, etc...Pick a focus to start with, and hit the ground running! Good luck.

Couldn't agree more with Mike. There are many subsets within the Monster. Don't let the sheer size stop you....I've learned a lot from my start 25+ years ago. I got so caught up in collecting the set, I branched out into buying biographies on many of the players.

Listen to the audible book, "The Glory of Their Times" and tell me listening to them tell stories in 1st person about their playing days. That will inspire you. One of the best audiobooks out there on the deadball era (also has a paperback version with slightly different content),

[jsfriedm]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Listen to the audible book, "The Glory of Their Times" and tell me listening to them tell stories in 1st person about their playing days. That will inspire you. One of the best audiobooks out there on the deadball era (also has a paperback version with slightly different content),

Better yet - buy the paperback, and pay close attention to the cards on the cover.

[Johnny T]

My T206 journey started in the middle of 2022 with the purchase of a private collection of about 100 cards, which included many HOF'ers...so I was off the ground running...would I have started this set without the bulk purchase, probably not, but I got to 518 (and I'm done) in just 2 1/2 years. Many of the cards I got were right here on Net 54's B/S/T...my condition averager overall is probably between FR to GD with about 150 graded (some as high as a 5) and the rest in a binder. I didn't pay much attention to the backs (which makes it a lot easier), but I do have at least one of all of the backs with the exception of the rarest (Drum, Uzit, Carolina Brights, Broadleaf, Lenox and Hindu). I do have most of my Southern Leaguers in Old Mill and just about every HOF'er is graded. Now I was pretty focused during that 2 1/2 years an have around 60k invested in getting to 518...so not easy, yes...but not impossible...and it doesn't have to be a lifelong quest if you have the funds and are willing to accept the occasional beater until you replace it for a better example (which is what I've been doing for the last 6 months...and continue to)...I have also completed (almost...6 to go!) the T205 set and I must say I like the T205 better...there is less of them, easier on the wallet (though the short prints, HOF'ers, and rarities will challenge any budget), and they do look nicer. Both sets are in a binder and the T205 is in a little nicer condition (GD to VG on average) mostly because pricing of a T205 in VG is similar to that of a GD T206...in my opinion, the T205 is still an undervalued set. In this set, all of the HOF'ers are graded with an average of 3.

Bottom line is I love them both...whether it takes 2 1/2 years or a lifetime, the chase is awesome and so are the cards. If you decide to take the plunge, I wish you the best...

I will say this, I have read many board members say the started and abandoned the chase at some point...safe to say, if you bought well, I don't think you will lose much money in resale, if at all...these cards hold their value very well and are always desired by someone!!!

Good luck with your decision!

Kindest regards,

JT

[Zach Wheat]

Nice story JT. The chase is always fun.