T206 set question/survey

[toppcat]

I think a "set" of T206 can be anything from 518 cards and up for purposes of this discussion, or really almost any discussion about these cards. If you have an estimated 1000 sets in collections, which seems about right, then based upon the population estimates of the big 6, not all of those sets can have all of those half dozen scarcities and rarities and good luck with finding a Doyle, no matter how much cash you have to spend.

I plan to accumulate a set of 518 and maybe 520, depending how I feel about O'Hara and Demmitt down the road. To me T206 is something I'm putting together between now and retirement (say 10 years or so) and frankly those two will depend upon our family's financial position at that stage in life and whether or not I consider the cards an asset to fund retirement or merely collectibles I wish to keep.

I will consider mine complete at 518 and anything after that is "icing on the cake".

[drdduet]

I have one complete set (minus the big 4) and about 1000 different T206's (front/back combos).

[Jim VB]

I have a "complete" set (520/524). It is in Poor-Fair condition. Maybe 15-20 of my cards are graded. The rest are raw.

I think Ted's estimate is as accurate as you're going to get. Putting together a complete set isn't very difficult at all. Virtually every single one of the cards is readily available, if you have the money to spend.

[tbob]

I have a T206 set (less the Big 4) in vgex condition. One thing to consider in tallying up how many sets are out there is to remember that many of the sets are not slabbed, either for financial or aesthetic or other reasons. I enjoy having this set (and the T205 and T207 sets) displayed in sheets by teams where I can easily view them instead of stacked slabs like all my caramel sets.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by tbob

I have a T206 set (less the Big 4) in vgex condition. One thing to consider in tallying up how many sets are out there is to remember that many of the sets are not slabbed, either for financial or aesthetic or other reasons. I enjoy having this set (and the T205 and T207 sets) displayed in sheets by teams where I can easily view them instead of stacked slabs like all my caramel sets.

I've considered getting my set graded and decided not to. It's not high quality and the thought of finding a storage solution for 500+ cards stops the process. I also keep mine in a binder.

When I decide to sell, I'll reconsider, as it would probably be worth it, even in low condition.

[ethicsprof]

I tamed the Monster(-4) and have them all slabbed for both protection and perpetuity. I do think that there are large numbers of folks with over 500, as Ted ably maintains. I think the number of folks minus the big 4 is much fewer
based on my feel for things over the last decade or so. I'm speaking now of folks who actually still have the set in their position.
best,
barry

[rfurnish]

OK....so not including the big four.

PSA currently has 16 sets listed
SGC currently has 9 sets listed
tedzan personally knows of 28 sets
drdduet, ethicsprof, jimVB, & tbob account for four more

That's a total of 57 known, completed sets, assuming no overlap (ex: drdduet is not on one of the registrys or included in tedzan's group)

So there would still have to be 943 additional sets out there somewhere to hit the 1,000 mark. Man, that seems like a lot of sets. Assuming that Scot's surviving card estimates are fairly accurate, the logic for that total is sound...it just seems like a lot. Are there 1,000 copies of Demmitt, O'Hara and the lower printed southern leaguers floating around (and gathered together as a group)? I guess it's possible, but then again......

[Potomac Yank]

Barry, every time I see you make that statement, I have to chuckle.

The Monster has tamed you into lying to yourself.

It's tamed you into believing that you have mentally erased four names from the known check list. ... They don't exist, therefore your set is complete.

Barry, you did a hell of a job with the challenge, what's the crime in saying, "My set is incomplete, but who knows?"

I have two sets.

My better set is missing 1 card from the known check list ... it's incomplete, but who knows?

My beater set is missing 8 cards from the known check list ... it's incomplete, but who knows?

They're incomplete, we've given it our best shot ... But Who Knows?

[tedzan]

There are many, many 500+ card T206 sets out there in the hinterland that are un-graded. There are only 9 near complete
SGC graded sets in their Registry; and, 16 such sets in the PSA Registry
Anyhow, a great majority (24) of the 28 near complete T206 sets that I can account for are in 15-pocket plastic sheets in
albums. And, this is certainly true for the 5 sets that I have put together. The 3 sets I currently have are......

519 cards (all PIEDMONT)...no Doyle, Plank, Wagner......overall average grade is Ex.

407 cards COMPLETE (all SOVEREIGN)......overall average grade is Vg-Ex.

467 cards (all SWEET CAPORAL, factory 30)...no Plank, Wagner......overall average grade is Vg to VgEx.

There is a lot to be said for having 500+ cards in an album (instead of having them stacked away in rectangular plastics).
Bob M anf Frank W prefer to have their T206's arranged by teams in their albums. Most collectors have their T206 sets in
alphabetical order in albums.
I have arranged my sets in their albums with respect to the 5 Series in the T206 set. And, I'll admit that some (about 60
across the 3 sets) are in graded plastics. This is only temporary, until I replace them with their ungraded counterparts.

Tell us more about your T206 sets ?


TED Z

[RayBShotz]

I got to about 65% and decided to abandon my attempt at the Monster because the ease at which I could accumulate examples far out weighed my ability to make funds available. The funding part hasn't changed much in fact I'm probably worse off today.
As a byproduct of disbanding I decided to stay in the game by attempting a back specific set much like what Ted Z has done (amazing Ted!) on a handful of back designs.
My favorite back and thus my choice for this project was EPDG. Currently I have approx. 105 different examples and I am always interested in acquiring more.
So although this is a set effort it will be restrained by availablility (cards I need coming to sale or auction), confirmed sitings (whether or not the card is really obtainable), and available funds (Low grade examples with decent eye appeal are my preferred targets).

Good Luck on your personal quest.
I believe T206 gets in your blood and never leaves. The friendliest parasite you'll ever host!
I love the set.
RayB