Set Recommendations

[Niko]

Thanks for the advice. In theory, T205 is perfect for me - it's affordable, it's got a nice checklist, it's a relatively small size - I just don't like the way they look, especially compared to the beauty of the artwork on T206 cards. I'll take a look into some E cards and see if any of those strike my interest more.

[glchen]

The grading specials for PSA constantly change. However, the best deals that I've seen for PSA for prewar cards is $5/card with a declared value < $100. There is often a minimum card requirement here like you need to submit 50 or more. Note with PSA, you have to have a membership. For SGC, the best deal in the past year is $6/card with a declared value < $250. Unless you have a high value card from ebay that you need to authenticate, you can usually just wait for these deals to re-appear before submitting.

[drdduet]

Niko,

Sounds like you really like the T206's. May I suggest that that is what you go after. Building subsets of the Monster (Southern Leaguer set, team sets, HOF sets, portrait sets, back sets, etc) can be very rewarding. No need to tackle the beast all at once.

Good Luck!

[Niko]

I like 33 goudey but I feel like besides the multiple Ruth's and Gehrig, the set is pretty boring(Lajoie too, of course). Also, I feel like I can easily find almost all commons in poor condition. While it would be a fun set to build, I don't think it poses the challenge that T206 does, except for the Lajoie.

With my budget being slim, perhaps I shouldn't be trying to take on the Monster as my first set ever. I'm not sure how prepared I am for it, but this is the second time it's lured me in and with the checklist, the artwork, and the stories, I can't find a better option than the t206.

If I were to go with it, I'd need to decide on condition (raw vs PSA, PSA 1 or 2? 3?), how to start, how much to budget myself at a time, etc. I realize that organization is key but I feel like the best way would be to pick up a big lot of say 100 or so, to get the ball rolling.

Zach

[FrankWakefield]

Pick a team...

If you like the white border tobacco cards, and you like slabs, then collect that. If the entire set is too many, then focus on a team. Obvious one's to avoid would be Pittsburg, the Athletics, that way you avoid the frustration of having a Wagner hole or a Plank hole. Both the Giants and Cubs are fun, but there are a LOT of those cards. Detroit has those expensive Cobb cards, Cleveland has Young and Lajoie. The Boston Nat'l's are manageable. The Sports Collector's Bible lists the cards by team, the old way they were collected. If you collect just one team you can sort them by series and see the uniform progression.

[glchen]

I think I agree with the others. After seeing your posts, you should just go with T206. You can break it down into subsets to make it more manageable if you want. There are a lot of options on how to break it down. If I were to try to tackle the monster, I would start with HOFers, and along the way, pick up any irresistible bargains or lots on commons. There are many, many ways to do it, however, and a lot of experience on collecting this set by others on this board.

[tonyo]

If there is one thing I've learned reading this board, it is that The Monster will try to get you to quit, but you shouldn't listen.

[Mollys Dad]

I have been toying with attempting the Diamond Stars set. I dont think it will put you in the poor house and you could probably get them all in mid to higher grades. IMO.

[Big Six]

I love this set...lots of HoFers...tough #1 in Gomez..108 cards...hi #'s...no Ruth or Gehrig to muck it up price wise. Great first set! Regardless...good luck with whatever you choose.

And by the way...t205 is far more appealing looking than t206...republicaninmass is not alone!!!

[Ease]

Originally Posted by Big Six

And by the way...t205 is far more appealing looking than t206...republicaninmass is not alone!!!

+1, you get an ad and a blurb/stats on the back rather than just the ad...

[MooseWithFleas]

Originally Posted by Mollys Dad

I have been toying with attempting the Diamond Stars set. I dont think it will put you in the poor house and you could probably get them all in mid to higher grades. IMO.

Originally Posted by Big Six

I love this set...lots of HoFers...tough #1 in Gomez..108 cards...hi #'s...no Ruth or Gehrig to muck it up price wise. Great first set! Regardless...good luck with whatever you choose.

And by the way...t205 is far more appealing looking than t206...republicaninmass is not alone!!!

I too love the look of the Diamond Stars, one of the most underrated sets IMO. How much would it run you to collect all 108 do you think?