T205 Dolly Gray with stats

[Matt E.]

Mike,

It seems as if we see / find more of the Shean Cubs than the Graham Cubs card.
I would say the Graham Cubs is the harder of the two to find.

Just our findings which are not scientifc by any means.

Thanks,

Matt

[Mikehealer]

Thanks Matt.

[familytoad]

I don't think I can add too much to the discussion that hasn't already been posted (too late the hero, but I did start this set in 1997

But if I were to classify which cards are typically listed as tougher cards into categories I would say , in my opinion:

Overated toughness: Shean and Graham (Cubs), Gray w/Stats, Latham or Leifield "initials" variety, Vaughn SP

Underrated toughness : Wilhelm "suffered", Hobby no stats, Moran stray line, Jimmie Collins, Bill Dahlen SP

Tough but acheivable : Joss, Wallace(both "no cap" versions), Hobby correct, no cin, Wilhelm "suffe ed"

Short Prints: Rowan seems to often be low grade and maybe not as common as the other known SP's, I also agee with Wiltse(one ear) for grade toughness

My opinion on Gray (as the OP started with) isn't very scientific either...I wonder how many T205 Dolly Gray cards are graded without any indication of which version it is? At one point I doubt any one cared...I know I didn't when I started collecting T205.

Another opinion of mine is that many of the T205 collectors prefer this set raw...TPG often kills the grades. I have resigned myself that the remaining cards I still need to have graded will get no higher than 30-40 despite very nice eye appeal. I really like the look of these in SGC holders, but I sometimes feel as though the technical grade of these cards doesn't do them justice...So for my third set (I'm about 1.6 sets down, half graded), I will buy low grade and crack them...not good for the pop reports(so what) but better for me to show them off. A couple hundred slabs takes a lot of room, afterall...

[barrysloate]

I believe Wallace no cap w/one line is much tougher than the two line variation.

[Matt E.]

Brian,

Great classifications.


Overrated Toughness

Underrated Toughness

Tough but Achievable

[nodgrass]

Thanks to all who chimed in about my question. I am somewhat surprised to find the general consensus of the Gray w/stats card is that it's not too tough. I had the opportunity to buy the Wallace 2 lines and Bresnahan mouth open from the same seller and steered my focus toward the Gray w/stats because of my perception that it was the most difficult. Apparently I made the wrong decision as the other two sold for less money. I guess it's true what they say about auctions. It only takes two people that want something.

[barrysloate]

Back in the 1980's the guides used to list Doc Scanlon as a common, then later it was considered to be a scarce card. However, I don't see it on any of the lists above. How is the card perceived today? Is it somewhat tougher, or just a common?

[Matt E.]

Originally Posted by nodgrass

Thanks to all who chimed in about my question. I am somewhat surprised to find the general consensus of the Gray w/stats card is that it's not too tough. I had the opportunity to buy the Wallace 2 lines and Bresnahan mouth open from the same seller and steered my focus toward the Gray w/stats because of my perception that it was the most difficult. Apparently I made the wrong decision as the other two sold for less money. I guess it's true what they say about auctions. It only takes two people that want something.

Marc,

You made the correct decision buying the Gray with stats! If I had my choice I would buy the Gray with Stats over the other two with card condition being equal. I feel that is the hardest of the 3 to pick up.

My order of difficulty

Hard: Wallace 2 Line
Harder: Bresnahan Mouth Open
Hardest: Gray with Stats