Who collects Polar Bears?

[nolemmings]

For a guy who wishes there weren't so many T206 threads, I should probably stay mum, but I was wondering if there are any on the board who collect just (or mostly) Polar Bear T206s?

One of my several failed attempts to start T206 focused on PBs. I am kind of a condition freak who doesn't much care for beaters, and I wanted to force myself to face a set that would be replete with noticeable tobacco stains. Although I ultimately jettisoned the project, I really grew to enjoy the PB cards as being authentic warts and all mementos of the dead-ball era. Sure you could almost certainly find a better image of any T206 subject by chasing other backs, but there was something almost mesmerizing to me about cards like this one--a great pose of an even greater player:



Are there others here who find these T206 ugly stepchildren the apple of your eye?

[ullmandds]

Es tu...todd?

[atx840]

On and off, ton of HOF keep me on the fence.

Beautiful back compared to the others. They smell nice too

[nolemmings]

What can I say Pete, sometimes confession is good for the soul

[jrenaut]

I don't collect them, exactly, as my first goal is to get all the Senators (minus, for now, the Elberfeld portrait and the two Walter Johnsons). But Polar Bear is my favorite back.

[RGold]

All I can smell is plastic.

[ethicsprof]

i particularly appreciate sgc's having the good sense to grade the card
a 5 and not penalizing due to the tobacco stains.
The stains are what make the polar bears a favorite back and are absolutely
integral to the identity of the card itself.
all the best,
barry

[atx840]

I'm surprised we don't see more dark WST on these. Wonder if they slowed down the printing to let them dry.

[atx840]

living the dream Craig, living the dream

[mrvster]

a very good friend and board member is currently embarking on pb's....Craig, you are kicking the monster's ass

[Jlighter]

[Ronnie73]

I collect them but its because I collect all front/back combinations. I try to purchase them in a PSA 4/SGC 50 grade or raw that would grade in that range. I don't mind the stains since its normal on the Polar Bears. The Polar Bear back is my second favorite back with Carolina Brights being my first favorite.

[DerekMichael]

Here is my Addie Joss. Not a drop of tobacco on this bad boy. Normally, I like my Polar Bears to have clean fronts, but I actually like a bit of gunk on the back. This is special though because it is so gosh darn clean.

[wonkaticket]

Amazing card Derek.

[Ronnie73]

Wow Derek, That is an incredible card. So far a top pop and only one in a 7 for PSA and the highest for SGC is in a 60/5 holder. That card is big money to the right person.

Originally Posted by DerekMichael

Here is my Addie Joss. Not a drop of tobacco on this bad boy. Normally, I like my Polar Bears to have clean fronts, but I actually like a bit of gunk on the back. This is special though because it is so gosh darn clean.

[aliendna]

The same (serial number) T206 Nap Lajoie with Bat Polar Back card shown on this thread is on eBay ending March 3, 2013. Are you the seller or previous owner? Does SGC grade differently than PSA as I would imagine they would put a stain qualifier on it. I get the impression that SGC also has a different (realistic?) perspective on the 1919-21 W514 strip cards.