E90-1, The Kraken (AKA The E-Monster) - post your collection progress

[brianp-beme]

I have always wanted to imitate/compete/improve upon Frank and his T206 Monster. I have been on and contributed to this board since it was created, and was on the old Full Count board before that, so I definitely have the hobby stamina required to maintain such a thread, just like Frank has proven to have. I have always loved the E90-1 set, and have collected it off and on for over 25 years. Of course since the E90-1 set has nowhere near the popularity of the T206 set, the views will pale in comparison to the Monster thread, but I think the E90-1 issue has enough of a following and is full of varying scarcities that are still being pinned down that I think it will at least keep a portion of Net54'ers interested.

I have established a point system, which is a little more enlarged and elaborate compared to the T206 Monster version (I mean, all Ty Cobb cards count as 1 point...ouch!). Admittedly, Frank's formula has widespread appeal and is simple, but why not try something else for this very different and much smaller set? Here is the point system I propose for the 121 E90-1 cards (the 120 complete set is now 121 cards because of the Miller w/sunset variation being recognized):


20 Joe Jackson

10 Tris Speaker
10 Honus Wagner (throwing)

7 Hugh Duffy
7 Mike Mitchell
7 Honus Wagner (batting)
7 Cy Young (Cleveland)

5 Fred Clarke (Pittsburgh)
5 Ty Cobb
5 Willie Keeler (red background)
5 Jake Stahl
5 Bill Sweeney (Boston)
5 Ed Walsh

4 Peaches Graham
4 Christy Mathewson
4 Eddie Plank
4 Cy Young (Boston)

3 Bob Bescher
3 Patsy Dougherty
3 George Gibson (back)
3 Harry Howell (wind up)
3 Ed Karger
3 Willie Keeler (throwing)
3 Addie Joss (throwing)
3 Nap Lajoie
3 Tommy Leach (throwing)
3 Hans Lobert
3 Larry McLean
3 Dots Miller (sunset)
3 Orval Overall
3 Dave Shean
3 George Stone (left hand showing)
3 Jerry Upp

1 each for the rest of the 88 cards

A complete set of 121 would thus be 250 points


I have given point values based mainly on popularity with a good dose of perceived scarcity thrown in, giving a nod to traditionally acknowledged scarcities and tossing in a few common players that have been revealed in the recent years as being tougher/more desirable. I decided to include the 13 commons worth 3 points each with the understanding that there are another dozen or so candidates that might be included, but didn't want this thing to get too cumbersome. Likewise various other Hall of Famers count as 1 point, but most of these are either fairly common or not as popular.

Let me know what you think about all this and what you think about my point system (as potential Kraken master I will listen to suggestions, but of course I get the final say like any good E-Monster would).

To start off, my E-Monster # is 164. I own all 88 of the 1 point cards, 15 of the 3 point cards (missing the Miller sunset), all 4 of the 4 point cards, and have the 5 point Cobb, Clarke Pittsburgh and Stahl cards.

Brian (and below are some of the beautiful 1 point 'sunset' cards to get your E90-1 juices flowing)

[brianp-beme]

This post is a list of E-Monster #'s of collector's E90-1 cards currently in their collection. I will update this list frequently when people post their #'s. 250 points indicates a complete set.

Brian


250 AddieJoss 8/27/18

250 t206fanatic 12/11/24

247 tedzan 11/22/17 (honorary mention)

242 Roulette44 4/12/25

234 TigerMike 11/12/24

230 Cozemeleno 8/2/24

223 familytoad 5/7/22

217 riggs336 12/11/24

206 edhans 12/26/19

196 big-six 1/24/21

184 brass_rat 11/27/22 (*!%^&)

182 judsonhamlin 1/4/22

164 brianp-beme 1/29/18

129 tedzan 7/24/20

127 qed2910 2/22/20

126 deadballfreak 11/10/20

117 cammb 5/22/20

105 Thromdog 7/14/19

94 Fistner10 10/13/23

93 Steve_D 11/27/17

87 t213 8/2/24

61 puckpaul 9/19/22

54 tonyo 8/13/19

37 trambo 10/5/23

35 mullinsm 12/14/17

31 Yoda 6/27/24

26 CobbSpikedMe 11/22/20

22 jasonc 9/23/18

21 ullmandds 5/17/22

20 Mark2391 6/27/24

19 vintagebaseballcardguy 5/21/19

16 VintageVinnie 1/7/19

11 Johnny T 4/13/25

10 C-mack 9/14/19

5 Tao_Moko 1/1/19

4 Leon 11/29/17

3 frankbmd 11/25/17 (never subject to change)

2 jp316 12/11/24

1 mattsey9 12/28/19

[AddieJoss]

220

[familytoad]

98

This number is my initial post, I think it’s correct.

As Cory (my e90-1 hero) knows, tomorrow’s mail should get me there. I’ll correct it as needed. Maybe I could hit the century mark just by a boost to Overall’s weighting. He’s tough.
I always thought Bill Sweeney would be hard to get , maybe weighted higher here. But overall (pun intended) , I’m very pleased to see this set embraced in similar Monster fashion...and by a Brian

[brianp-beme]

Hi Brian...thanks for sparking my E90-1 fancy. I agree with the Overall, I left him out previously because, although he has been noted as a tough card, it seemed like I had seen a lot of him available over the years. He is still not an easy one, and his perceived scarcity is up there, so I have added him to the 3 point list.

Doing a little more tinkering, I upgraded the Stahl, Sweeney (Boston) and Graham from a 3 point value to 4 points, as I feel these in the past they have been perceived as extra tough and their prices are strong. I also added 5 more points to Joe Jackson so now he is at 25, because, ugly or not, this is considered his rookie card and people go nuts for it even if it is not scarce.

The complete set now totals to 250 points. I have updated AddieJoss # to 225 (correct me if I am wrong...I assume Joe is the missing one) and adjusted my own score as well. Brian, when you recalculate your score let us know.

Brian

[AddieJoss]

I don't disagree with Any of these except maybe Plank as I've found him to be plentiful and not too pricey. I would add Bemis as a toughie, Clement as a minor toughie, seigle as tough, O'Connor as a pretty tough card, and Howell wind-up as definitely tough.

Cards that should only be worth half a point as they seem to be everywhere: bresnahan, dooin, Krause, Fred Mitchell, stange, stone (no hands), summers, and Wallace.

[familytoad]

Brian P,

Thanks for all of your work on this.
It looks like we have finalized the Kraken number and we're ready to go!

So I've created the modern abacus to help track the complicated Kraken Calculation.
It doesn't appear as if I can upload a MS Excel file on to this site, so anyone desiring this spreadsheet can simply email me. A PM with *your* email address will also work.

My email address is my net54 user name at comcast dot net.

The familytoad Kraken number now sits at 110.

I don't have scans handy, but I'll add some of my low grade beauties as time allows.

[familytoad]

This is a snip of what the Kraken Abacus looks like. Mine shows 110 of the possible 250 points. 44% of the Kraken.

I have 77 of the 121 cards, or 63.64% of the actual set.
I also have 40% the toughies.
More pie charts will likely come with future versions.

To calculate, its as easy as picking "have" or "need" and the sheet does the work...

[familytoad]

Brian,
I jumped up 9 points with two cards this week.
Ty Cobb and Peaches Graham bring me to 119.

I might still have a few more points in me this spring...I might even take some pics for the rogues gallery since my set is primarily pretty low grade.
Holes in the cards are much more tolerable than holes in the wantlist

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by familytoad

Holes in the cards are much more tolerable than holes in the wantlist

Except when your wantlist has holes in it that prevent you from remembering what cards you need.

Congrats on Cobb and Graham...very point-worthy additions!

Brian

[brianp-beme]

Just thought I would throw a little McIntyre into this thread gumbo. Also a little reminder for judsonhamlin, cozumeleno and fistner10...the point system was updated (see post #1, ignore all the frantic point jumbling posts afterwards) and still need updated point amounts from you all so I can remove (parenthetical) comments after your point total on the master Kraken list.

Brian

[judsonhamlin]

With all the math (and a couple of additions)- Matty and Leach throwing - I am now at 135. Now comes the hard (and expensive) part ☹️

[Fistner10]

Sorry for the delay. I’m at 52 now

[familytoad]

Boosted by a pretty rare Howell wind up card, I’m at One Hundred Twenty Two.
Essentially half way on the Kraken but two thirds on the set itself.

I’ll keep Cracking on the Kraken this summer.

[brianp-beme]

Happy to lend a helping Howell Brian. Consider your E-Monster # boosted to 122.

Brian

[familytoad]

Thanks for the follow through...Mr Arker.

[brianp-beme]

Here is Mr. Summers, probably one of the more commonly found subjects in the E90-1 set.

Brian

[Leon]

Actually, I don't see many e90-1s centered that nicely. Great looking card.

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Here is Mr. Summers, probably one of the more commonly found subjects in the E90-1 set.

Brian

[familytoad]

Howling Winds or Howell Winding (up), no matter how you say it, this card is not common.

[Cozumeleno]

Small bump up to 82 for me. This trimmed Chief Bender from a pickup last week was my 70th card.

[CobbSpikedMe]

Nice new pick ups Brian and Cap. My Kraken number would be an 8 at this point so I can't really compare to your guys sets.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by CobbSpikedMe

Nice new pick ups Brian and Cap. My Kraken number would be an 8 at this point so I can't really compare to your guys sets.

Welcome, and no need to compare...just build upon your Inner Kraken.

Brian

[Cozumeleno]

Originally Posted by CobbSpikedMe

Nice new pick ups Brian and Cap. My Kraken number would be an 8 at this point so I can't really compare to your guys sets.

Thanks, Andy - hope you're well. And Brian is right! Look how far back I am from others.

Wait, it appears I'm doing the same thing ...

[tedzan]

Hi Brian

I picked up 5 commons and this crazy looking Jennings for my 2nd set.







TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[jasonc]

Picked up 8 cards at a recent auction.

4 Points for Plank, 1 each for the rest.

11 PTS + 2 PTS (2 existing E90-1's) = NOW 13 PTS total.

Thanks

[AddieJoss]

Now at 250

[brianp-beme]

We have another master set in the house...congrats!

Brian

[AddieJoss]

Thx

[familytoad]

Corey!
Outstanding my friend!
Can we see the Joe Jax that cracked the Kraken?

Originally Posted by AddieJoss

Now at 250

[frankbmd]

Anyone see the beached Kraken in New Zealand?

[Paul S]

nm

[judsonhamlin]

Gibson (back view) gets me to 144. Insanely tough card.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by judsonhamlin

Gibson (back view) gets me to 144. Insanely tough card.

Congrats on the Gibson...one might argue that he and a few others could be worth more than 3 points, but I decided to keep them at this level because the hobby still has not fully recognized their relative scarcity.

Brian

[Leon]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Congrats on the Gibson...one might argue that he and a few others could be worth more than 3 points, but I decided to keep them at this level because the hobby still has not fully recognized their relative scarcity.

Brian

Really? My seat of the pants observations doesn't have Gibson as a relative scarcity. I haven't studied the set as others have though.

[edhans]

The Gibson back view is a difficult card; just as difficult as the throwing poses of Leach and Wagner. I suspect each was a late issue replacement for respective batting and front view poses.

[Cozumeleno]

Been a while since my last update but please bump me to 91 as time allows. Picked up several new ones, including these five from Marc del Percio.

Up to 77 of the 121 now and getting harder to find these days. But I feel like I'm making decent progress.

[Cozumeleno]

Been a while since my last update but please bump me to 91 as time allows. Picked up several new ones, including these five from Marc del Percio.

Up to 77 of the 121 now and getting harder to find these days. But I feel like I'm making decent progress.

[judsonhamlin]

Picked up a Shean so 3 more gets me to 147.

[brianp-beme]

Another nice pickup on the Shean...your Kraken # will be jacked up to the appropriate level.

Brian

[CobbSpikedMe]

Hey Brian,

Picked up a few more, please raise me to 19.

Thanks,

AndyH

[brianp-beme]

Nice grouping...you've been upped to 19.

Brian

[Leon]

Nice looking, happily collected caramels.

Originally Posted by CobbSpikedMe

Hey Brian,

Picked up a few more, please raise me to 19.

Thanks,

AndyH

[judsonhamlin]

Picked up a Joss pitching so that should get me to 150.

[familytoad]

+ 1 for my Kraken number.
I was able to stop mulling over when to add Mullin to the collection.

Its getting harder towards the end here, boys....I have 98 different cards for a Kraken total of 151 (QC needed...Brian P)

Only 8 more single pointers remain. After that...tough cards to find and buy.

But I'm not giving in to an oversized plate of calamari.
Who's got a Duffy or Walsh to sell?

[Leon]

Great cards so far. From watching the hobby for many years, we all know the last E90-1s can be really, really difficult.

Originally Posted by familytoad

+ 1 for my Kraken number.
I was able to stop mulling over when to add Mullin to the collection.

Its getting harder towards the end here, boys....I have 98 different cards for a Kraken total of 151 (QC needed...Brian P)

Only 8 more single pointers remain. After that...tough cards to find and buy.

But I'm not giving in to an oversized plate of calamari.
Who's got a Duffy or Walsh to sell?

[Thromdog]

Well I follow this thread but never contributed. Wanted to join when I busted a score of 100 which I just recently did. But I’ve made a big purchase (let’s use the number 521 ) and these guys are gonna have to go.

But still, wanted to share a pic of them as of this morning.

76 cards that would have scored a 104. Donovan is in the mail heading my way.

Fun group, with interesting nuance.

[familytoad]

It's been a slow climb, but I can add 1 more point to my total.
I've added Ira Thomas to join friend Roy Thomas (he of the Picasso Portrayal)

If you have the chance, oh Kraken Kounter, I'll be at 134

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by familytoad

It's been a slow climb, but I can add 1 more point to my total.
I've added Ira Thomas to join friend Roy Thomas (he of the Picasso Portrayal)

If you have the chance, oh Kraken Kounter, I'll be at 134

Congrats Brian...I have included a scan of the Picasso cubism style employed on the Roy, just as a reminder that all is not realism in the Kraken world.

Updated to 134!

[judsonhamlin]

Reviving this - please bump me to 155, having added me. Sweeney to the collection. Thanks

[brianp-beme]

155 is definitely working up all the way to head of the Kraken itself.

Brian