Question for the T206 set builders

[teetwoohsix]

I have no rhyme or reason to how I've been collecting,I sort of just see a card (or cards) I like,within my price range,and go for it.HOF'ers,minor league,a couple semi-hard backs,common's,etc........the other night,I took a photo of my cards spread out on a coffee table-below is the photo.14 of these have been picked up from board members on the BST(thanks again Jim,Tim,and Dave ).I've also bought some of these from board members,but through Ebay transactions.My main goal is to get to at least 518 with a sample of every back(minus the Cobb back) in a grade 3 to 4 or better,SGC,BVG,PSA............good luck on your quest(I am at 54 now)........
Sincerely,Clayton

[cfc1909]

First -I will never be complete because I want every front and back combo that exist.

I started by aquiring my first Ty Cobb card-bat on in ex for $100 in 1989. Started going to the Philly show and buying cards of the Cubs team. When I got to about 50 206s I located a checklist and then the backs started. Mail orders from Dave Levins site around 2000 maybe 2002. It took about 2 years to get 1 example of each back to 32 or so then another 2 or 3 years to get Uzit, Drum, brown Lenox and BL 460. After that I desided I needed 10 examples of each back and went crazy on th etough backs on ebay and the Philly show during the late 90s and early 2000s.
Finally got brown Old Mill about a year ago. I was the underbidder on this back in Lipset about 8-10 years ago. You just don't see this back on the market. If you have a chance DO NOT let it go by. BL 460 is the 3rd toughest. Brown Lenox and brown Old Mill both have less examples in ciculation with BOM the toughest.
Somewhere around 2000 I started going after the 117 possible Baltimore combos. I am currantly at 75 different.

I will always pick up examples of this set but for now and for a very long time my focus will be in the south.

good luck and happy collecting.

[steve B]

90+ cards, 92 plus a few I haven't put in the spreadsheet yet.

But that's taken me 32 years!

I'm more of an opportunistic collector, and I collect most any card from any era. I like the old stuff much better though. I've had a few "vacations" from collecting cards, but I still got a few each year.

Getting setup with the spreadsheet let me see that I was missing a few common backs,I don't know how I missed getting either of the SC overprints. so that's been a big help. I'm thinking of picking a group to try to complete, which might be a bit of fun.

Steve B

[Jantz]

David

Here is my advice to you. Buy the HOFers, Southern Leaguers and Tough Variations first. I say this because if you get further into this set and your collecting interests change or something happens in your life where you may have to sell some of the cards, you at least have T206s from the set that carry demand. Collectors, whether they are building this set or not, always have interest in the HOFers or rare cards. Also, just having a complete subset of the HOFers is a nice collection in itself. Once you have all the HOFers or SLers out of the way, if you choose to finish the set, it will go alot easier.

Hope this helps

Jantz

[majordanby]

i started out with HOF'ers, specifically portraits, and tough variations. got through all cobbs, mathewsons, johnsons, youngs and added magie and o'hara. But, financial reality hit, so i redefined my collection...sold off the cobbs and several other HOF'ers. Right now, i'm only collecting T206's with high eye appeal, but low technical grade. i've pretty much settled on this focus...keeps the buying and prices low.

i think you'll find yourself going back and forth, reselling and buying and changing focus. the only thing is to not lose focus...and varying your collecting style and pace will help you do that.

[jupin11]

I'm at about 200 right now. I had to hold up because law school got in the way. Anyway, I had a very basic approach. Twice a week, I would look at what was being offered on ebay for the coming week. For almost every single card that I needed/wanted, I would snipe a low ball offer (-10-20% of the cheapest sold on recent ebay listings). I won a couple every week and I was happy every time. This takes a little time and a little commitment but it will pay off.

[drdduet]

Once I got really serious and committed to taming the monster, I completed it in 2 years. My strategy was based on getting the more expensive cards out of the way first. After getting all the HOFers, I hit the Southern Leaguers, then I tackled the scarcer commons. I got my hands on a few large lots for good prices, so that helped out. Back then I also picked up the rare backs so that my set does include at least one of each back type as well.

I wouldn't recommend treating the task as a sprint, enjoy the journey.