CJ's - Do you collect either years or both?

[terjung]

Since you asked the "why don't you" question...

I love the appearance of CJs, but they are just too common for my taste. It is a personal thing and I certainly don't begrudge anyone for collecting them - because they are very cool for a number of reasons. I've just decided to have a more "truly scarce" slant to my collection.

[RichR]

My goal is to have all the 1915s and the variations between the two years. May never happen though...

[jrlebert]

I love the 1915's. As a teacher, they are a bit more affordable than the 14's, but you have the added challenge of the 32 more cards. With the red background, even collecting them in PSA 1, as I am, the cards usually still pop and have nice eye appeal. Also, something about holding a 100 year old piece of cardboard with the caramel stains on them is just pretty darn cool.

[rp12367]

Originally Posted by jrlebert

I love the 1915's. As a teacher, they are a bit more affordable than the 14's, but you have the added challenge of the 32 more cards. With the red background, even collecting them in PSA 1, as I am, the cards usually still pop and have nice eye appeal. Also, something about holding a 100 year old piece of cardboard with the caramel stains on them is just pretty darn cool.

JR, That's a nice group of PSA 1' s...

[RichR]

I agree those are some really solid 1s with great eye appeal JR!

[jrlebert]

Originally Posted by rp12367

JR, That's a nice group of PSA 1' s...

Originally Posted by RichR

I agree those are some really solid 1s with great eye appeal JR!

Thanks guys! I am pretty picky when it comes to my PSA 1's... I guess beggars can be choosers sometimes.

[71buc]

Sorry for reviving an older thread. Although I have a few pre-war cards I have little knowledge of them. I'm sure that the answer that I am seeking is terribly obvious so forgive my ignorance. I own one CJ and have had it for quite awhile. How do I determine if this is a 1914 or 1915 Sam Crawford? I know that SMR is no more than reference tool and does not reflect real world value. However, the difference in the values listed between the 1914 and 1915 card is pretty significant. After reading this thread I now understand why. That being said how do I distinguish between the two years as they look the same to me? I have no desire to sell it nor do I ever plan on grading it but I would like to know what I have. The vertical lines to the left and right of the boarders are from my scanner. There are no creases on it. Any opinions on what it's value would interest me as well. Thanks in advance for any assistance or information.

[ScottFandango]

2 very different sets...

the 1914 is simply a bear to find above 3...

the 1915 there are many above 7....

i like the stains and the RAT EATEN EDGES of the 1914's.....

[tiger8mush]

Originally Posted by terjung

I love the appearance of CJs, but they are just too common for my taste.

From a casual observer, for some reason there seems to be a number of 1914 CJs that are tougher to find than others. Except for #1 Knabe, the lower numbers - below, say, #75 - seem to easier than the higher numbers. Some of the #90s are close to impossible and if they appear for sale once a year you're lucky.

Rob

[btkpath]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

....there seems to be a number of 1914 CJs that are tougher to find than others. Except for #1 Knabe, the lower numbers - below, say, #75 - seem to easier than the higher numbers.

I know that population reports are characteristically inaccurate and change constantly, but the last time I ran the numbers (about a year ago), if one were to combine the totals for SGC and PSA, there are only 6 cards in the second half of the 1914 CJ set (cards #73-144) with cumulative populations of greater than 25 cards......and two of these cards are the Matthewson and the Joe Jackson!

[FrankWakefield]

Those cards of Mathewson and Jackson would be more likely to be graded...

[Bigb13]

I collect both but have mostly 14's. Rob

[obcmac]

I collect both. I much prefer the 1914's...but have many more 1915's. Being an ultra low grade collector helps a lot with these.

Mac

[Bigb13]

Yes in the 14's the Cobb, Matty and Jackson are very high in any grade when you see them. Rob