What's your "BEST" card?

[egbeachley]

A non-sports card story. But true collectors looking for the "Holy Grail" will appreciate the story. If you are not interested in non-sports just assume I'm referring to a T206 Joe Jackson.

The T64 McAlpin set is documented in American Tobacco Cards as a 48-card set of Generals issued around 1902-1905. While many "regular" Generals were depicted, it was odd that the most famous US General of all was not, Robert E Lee.

For over 100 years it was speculated that this card may exist, but if so why didn't it show up. Afterall, the most famous athletes or celebrities are the first to be kept.

About 6 years ago I notice a T64 auction on Ebay that didn't sell. It was for 12 T64 cards, most in VG or better condition that didn't hit the reserve. High bid was $700 or so. I only noticed it after the auction had ended when looking at other items. It was completely misclassified.

So I spent the next 2 months sending many emails to the seller trying to find out his reserve. No response. I don't even know if Ebay delivered the emails. I used every trick I could think of to get his direct email address. Then one day he emailed me back. It turns out someone (I assume the reserve underbidder) had purchased every card except 1, the Robert E Lee card. They couldn't agree on a price for that one. I said I was interested and he asked me to make an offer.

I debated on what to offer. If I went too low he may not reply (since he took so long already). I already knew that they couldn't agree on a price so he put a premium on the Lee card. And going too high is bad for me. Anyway, cheap beat out smart and I offered $250. I waited 3 long weeks for a reply without emailing him again. I just knew I blew it. Finally he said he would take $275. I decided not to call him immediately and tell him I'm taking the first flight down, but rather waited 2 days and calmly said, "sure".

I couldn't believe it when it came a week later. The only example known of the most popular general in one of the hardest sets to complete.

[ethicsprof]

first T206 i ever bought, soon after getting married in '84(i had been given a few via inheritance a couple of years earlier).
and
and (almost a tie) a T206 with Drum back, sold to me at a price from over 20 years earlier
and my favorite provenance.

best,
barry

[GoSoxBoSox]

I don't really know what my best is? This isn't my most valuable, but it is probably my favorite.

[slidekellyslide]

This question comes up every once in a while so I'm sure everyone is sick of seeing these cards, but my dad gave these to me when I was a kid, they were my first prewar cards...he found them in a scrapbook. Some day I will pass them on to my son.

[E93]

Tom,
That Delahanty is awesome! Spectacular image!
JimB

[bijoem]

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by bijoem

No, no, no, no ... NO!!!!!

Come on. Post it.

[E93]

Originally Posted by egbeachley

A non-sports card story. But true collectors looking for the "Holy Grail" will appreciate the story. If you are not interested in non-sports just assume I'm referring to a T206 Joe Jackson.

The T64 McAlpin set is documented in American Tobacco Cards as a 48-card set of Generals issued around 1902-1905. While many "regular" Generals were depicted, it was odd that the most famous US General of all was not, Robert E Lee.

For over 100 years it was speculated that this card may exist, but if so why didn't it show up. Afterall, the most famous athletes or celebrities are the first to be kept.

About 6 years ago I notice a T64 auction on Ebay that didn't sell. It was for 12 T64 cards, most in VG or better condition that didn't hit the reserve. High bid was $700 or so. I only noticed it after the auction had ended when looking at other items. It was completely misclassified.

So I spent the next 2 months sending many emails to the seller trying to find out his reserve. No response. I don't even know if Ebay delivered the emails. I used every trick I could think of to get his direct email address. Then one day he emailed me back. It turns out someone (I assume the reserve underbidder) had purchased every card except 1, the Robert E Lee card. They couldn't agree on a price for that one. I said I was interested and he asked me to make an offer.

I debated on what to offer. If I went too low he may not reply (since he took so long already). I already knew that they couldn't agree on a price so he put a premium on the Lee card. And going too high is bad for me. Anyway, cheap beat out smart and I offered $250. I waited 3 long weeks for a reply without emailing him again. I just knew I blew it. Finally he said he would take $275. I decided not to call him immediately and tell him I'm taking the first flight down, but rather waited 2 days and calmly said, "sure".

I couldn't believe it when it came a week later. The only example known of the most popular general in one of the hardest sets to complete.

Great story.
JimB

[Mikehealer]

That is a cool story, thanks for sharing.

[gabrinus]

maybe not the best but the rarest.

[terjung]

Why did the E93 Cobb B&W get an "A"?
Great card, btw.

[Bicem]

amazing card, thanks for posting that!

[ErikV]

My best card? Hummm? That's kinda like asking me to pick a favorite
child, Damn it! Well, I suppose if I had to pick just one, this would be it.

[Jacklitsch]

Hard to chose just one...

[gabrinus]

Originally Posted by terjung

Why did the E93 Cobb B&W get an "A"?
Great card, btw.

I won the card in Dec 2009 Huggins+Scott auction. If I remember correctly it got that designation because they weren't exactly sure what to call it. It is the correct size, not trimmed.

[Kawika]

Hard to pick one. Going with this beauty:

[CW]

Ah-HA! So you had an ulterior motive for starting this thread!

Now it becomes clear...

Awesome card, btw!

[JasonL]

I love your story about completing the 1979 set with the help of your grandparents! Aren't grandparents the best!

As far as vintage "Bests" go, that is a tough call for me, as I don't have anything truly special or unique. I think it would be a toss up between the T200 Cleveland and the T206 with the F. Scott Fitzgerald stamp on the back...

[philliesphan]

This one is probably my favourite:

[E93]

Originally Posted by gabrinus

maybe not the best but the rarest.

AWESOME CARD!!!