The T205 EGGS (Elite Gold Gilded Set) thread: Post your collection progress

[brianp-beme]

Here finally is the long-awaited thread that collectors can post their progress on the T205 set. I like to think of the T205 as the Gold Standard of Tobacco cards, and the set has inspired many to pursue it over its 111+ years of existence, due to its great design, colorful look, gold borders, awesome lineup of players, bio writeups on the back, different brand advertising, and various levels of scarcity to tempt those who like a good challenge when collecting.

This thread addresses that challenge by assigning EGGS (Elite Gold Gilded Set) values to individual cards in the set based upon both their scarcity and their popularity. This endeavor has truly been a collaborative effort - in case you missed it, here is a link to the previous thread that garnered plenty of input from the community that shaped the final EGGS values:

https://net54baseball.com/showthread...0225&highlight

There are 221 officially recognized cards in the master set. 141 of these have been assigned a value of 1. These cards are not shown in the below listing, which highlights cards that have EGGS values between 2 and 18. When added up, the total EGGS value for a complete master set works out to 400, which as pointed out in the previous thread, is a fitting total amount for this, as the vast majority of the different brand advertising on the back indicates 400 designs.

The next post on this thread will be the running list for collectors to post the status of their T205 collection by identifying the Total EGGS value of the set they are working/worked on. This input from collectors will be maintained by me, just as I have for the E90-1 set on the Kraken thread.

For the purposes of this list backs were not considered when calculating each cards value, to keep things on a relatively simple level. There are also 8 variations that have not been recognized as widely within the hobby:

Collins, Eddie - closed mouth w/yellow elephant

Graham, George - Rustlers w/blue signature

Hoffman, Danny - yellow 2nd base, yellowish stripe in background

Hoffman, Danny - yellow 2nd base, no stripe

Miller, Dots - middle initial 'D'

Miller, Dots - middle initial 'D' with partial 'B'

Snodgrass, Fred - missing decimal point on .405 batting average

White, Doc - no quotation marks on Doc

I have decided for this reason not to assign values for these 8 cards. Collectors can indicate with their post how many of these cards they have, and I will post Speckled Eggs (asterisks) after their point total. For example a collection with value of 237 that has 3 of the above less recognized variations would be listed as: 237***

Below is the values of each of the 80 cards that have a value of 2 or more to figure out your total EGGS amount (As a reminder the 141 other cards in the official master set that are not shown have a value of 1):


Cards with EGGS value of 2:

Adkins, Doc ML

Baker, Frank

Barger, Cy - partial B on cap

Batch, Emil ML

Bender, Chief

Bresnahan, Roger - mouth closed

Brown, Mordecai

Cady, Hick ML

Chance, Frank

Chase, Hal - border on shirt

Chase, Hal - no border on shirt

Clarke, Fred

Collins, Eddie - mouth closed

Crandall, Otis - 'T' not crossed

Daubert, Jake

Donohue, Jiggs SP

Dougherty, Patsy - red sock

Dougherty, Patsy - white sock

Duffy, Hugh

Dunn, Jack ML

Fisher, Ray SP

Ford, Russ - white cap

Frick, James ML

Gray, Dolly - no stats

Griffith, Clarke

Hanford, Charles ML

Harmon, Robert - only left ear shows

Hoblitzell, Dick - name incorrect/no Cin. after 1908

Huggins, Miller

Jennings, Hugh

Karger, Ed SP

Kleinow, Red SP

Lee, Wyatt ML

Leifield, Lefty - A.P. Leifield on front

Marquard, Rube

McAllister, Sport ML

McGraw, John

Merritt, George ML

Nee, John ML

Phelan, James ML

Rowan, John SP

Scanlan, Doc SP

Sweeney, Jeff SP

Tinker, Joe

Vaughn, Hippo SP

Wagner, Heinie SP

Wallace, Bobby - with cap

Wheat, Zack

White, Kirb SP

Wiltse, Hooks - only right ear shows


Cards with value of 3:

Chase, Hal - only left ear shows

Cicotte, Eddie

Dahlen, Bill SP

Evers, Johnny

Graham, George - Cubs

Grant, Ed SP

Hoblitzell, Dick - name correct/no Cin. after 1908

Latham, Arlie - W.A. Latham on back

Raymond, Bugs SP

Shean, David - Cubs

Suggs, George SP

Turner, Terry SP

Wallace, Bobby - no cap/2 lines of 1910 stats


Cards with value of 4:

Bresnahan, Roger - mouth open

Collins, Eddie - mouth open

Collins, Jimmy ML

Speaker, Tris

Walsh, Ed SP


Cards with value of 5:

Gray, Dolly - stats on back

Mathewson, Christy - correct stats

Wilhelm, Kaiser - suffe ed in 18th line of bio SP


Cards with value of 6:

Johnson, Walter

Moran, Pat - stray line of type

Young, Cy


Cards with value of 7 or more (EGGS value in parenthesis):

Cobb, Ty (12)

Hoblitzell, Dick - no stats on back (18)

Joss, Addie SP (7)

Mathewson, Christy - Cycle Back, incorrect stats (13)

Wallace, Bobby - no cap - 1 line of 1910 stats (7)

Wilhelm, Kaiser - suffered in 18th line of bio (10)


Brian - here are some examples of T205 cards of varying values. I have included a scan of two Ewing cards to emphasize that, no matter whether your Ewing looks normal or more like one of the Village People, either one is worth one point, and no extra credit is given for multiple examples

[brianp-beme]

This post is a list of EGGS #'s of collector's T205 cards currently in their collection. I will update this list frequently when people post their #'s. 400 points indicates a complete set, and each asterisk indicates one of the seven less recognized variations known.


400 riggs336 6/9/22

400****** Eggoman 8/3/22

400 trambo 6/11/22

400* TigerMike 11/19/22

400***** lentel 11/20/22

400******Forever Young 11/26/22

387*** orioles70 6/10/22

382******* dabbuu 6/10/22

382 Millerd33 9/29/22

360 mrdbrooks77 11/25/23

359** jayshum 6/9/22

359+ 62corvette 7/25/22 (+ for introducing set to Hindu-ism)

341 Steve D 6/9/22

341 brianp-beme 6/9/22

341 rats60 6/13/23

338 T205 Hunter 6/17/22

336 judsonhamlin 6/10/22

334 familytoad 6/11/22

302 Mark2391 6/13/23

295 tschock 6/12/22

251 nebboy 7/7/22

154 chadeast 11/19/22

142 RCMcKenzie 2/4/23

102 Alaskanmade 6/13/23

58 Yoda 11/24/23

30* Bill77 6/13/22

29* CobbSpikedMe 8/5/22

19 jason.1969 19/19? (Dodgers team subset) 6/11/22

16 GeoPoto 14/19 (Senators team subset) 6/15/22

12 Leon 6/15/22

7 jimq16415 11/26/22

2 Rad_Hazard 6/13/22


Brian

[jayshum]

I've been following the development of this list. Thanks for the work in putting it together.

I'm just missing the tough variations of Hoblitzell, Mathewson and Wilhem. I have the Hoffman, Danny - yellow 2nd base and the Miller, Dots - middle initial 'D' with partial 'B' so I guess my score is 359**

[riggs336]

After years of looking for an "affordable" example,I purchased this in May of last year to complete the 221 set. So put me down for 400 EGGS please.

[brianp-beme]

Nice Jay and Otis...your numbers have been posted (and asterisked where appropriate)! And Otis gets our first 400.

Brian

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Nice Jay and Otis...your numbers have been posted (and asterisked where appropriate)! And Otis gets our first 400.

Brian

Which begs the question "which came 1st, the Otis or the Egg?"

[TigerMike]

Still need Adkins, Hoblitzell name incorrect, and Bresnahan open mouth. I think that puts me at 392* with a blue ink Graham. Hope to join the 400 club soon.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by TigerMike

Still need Adkins, Hoblitzell name incorrect, and Bresnahan open mouth. I think that puts me at 392* with a blue ink Graham. Hope to join the 400 club soon.

The Adkins shouldn't be too tough to come by...heck, even I have one (shown in first post). Good luck on the 400 goal.

Brian

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Which begs the question "which came 1st, the Otis or the Egg?"

Are you calling Otis a chicken? If so, then Otis had a good reason to cross the road.

Brian

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Are you calling Otis a chicken? If so, then Otis had a good reason to cross the road.

Brian

True, lets give him the Mel Ott Award, Mel being the first National Leaguer to get to 400 home runs.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

True, lets give him the Mel Ott Award, Mel being the first National Leaguer to get to 400 home runs.

Let's hope Otis checks back in on this thread, otherwise he will have been awarded the Ott for naught.

Brian

[Steve D]

I guess my number is 341.

That's 400 - 59 for the following cards I don't have:

18 - Hoblitzell - No stats on back
13 - Mathewson - 1 loss on back
10 - Wilhelm - Suffered
7 - Wallace - No cap, one line 1910 stats
6 - Moran - Stray line under stats
5 - Gray - Stats on back

Steve

[riggs336]

Ok. I'm suitably honored to receive the Melvin.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Steve D

I guess my number is 341.

That's 400 - 59 for the following cards I don't have:

18 - Hoblitzell - No stats on back
13 - Mathewson - 1 loss on back
10 - Wilhelm - Suffered
7 - Wallace - No cap, one line 1910 stats
6 - Moran - Stray line under stats
5 - Gray - Stats on back

Steve

Nice Steve...that missing list looks awfully familiar.

Brian

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by riggs336

Ok. I'm suitably honored to receive the Melvin.

I was given a Melvin once, and it certainly didn't feel pleasant.

Brian

[judsonhamlin]

336 for me. Missing Cobb, Gray, Hobby no stats, Matty 1 loss, Moran and Wilhelm suffered.
Thanks for putting this together.

[Eggoman]

Hey Brian - THANKS for doing this!

I am complete at 221 + have Graham - Rustlers w/blue signature, Hoffman, Danny - yellow 2nd base, Miller, Dots - middle initial 'D', Miller, Dots - middle initial 'D' with partial 'B', and Snodgrass, Fred - missing decimal point on .405 batting average.

That puts me at 400***** if I added correctly!

[orioles70]

Brian

I am missing Mathewson Cycle so I have 387 eggs (I need to check thru my 293 cards for any lesser known variations)...but I do have a "complete basket" made up of all 11 different tobacco brand backs to put them in (including 2 Hindus and 2 Drum)

John

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[brianp-beme]

Hi Judson, Greg and John...welcome to the club!

Brian

[brianp-beme]

I have added Hoffman - yellow 2nd base, yellowish stripe in background to the official 'asterisk' list at the request of a member, as it has been identified as a variation in the past. I view it, as with a couple of other on the asterisk list, as more of a printing defect, but hey, I think we can accept more speckled EGGS when they make their way onto the scene.

Brian

[brianp-beme]

Great submissions so far. Don't feel like you need to be a member of the 300+ EGGS club to post on this thread...actually it would be fun to watch over time the growth of collections that are just starting out as well.

Brian

[trambo]

400 for me. I don't believe I have any of the variations but do have the full 221 all PSA graded (TRambo Collection in the registry).

Here's a link to my set: https://www.psacard.com/psasetregist...shedset/223646

I think all of the scans are there too although I may be missing a few.

[GeoPoto]

I'm wondering if your "big tent" approach welcomes team collectors to post totals? Totals could be enhanced by counting backs. No new/additional numbers for backs needed. Just count every back at the card's number. Or not.

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[jason.1969]

If the train needs a caboose here is 19, counting the bonuses for Dahlen, Daubert, Scanlan, and Wheat.

.

[Yoda]

Hey Brian, how about a second award to the next player to reach the magic 400 number. It should hang nicely next to Mel since they were teammates, and that would be Bill Terry, NY Giants Captain and last National Leaguer to bat over .400. Just an idea for a little more juice in the game.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

I'm wondering if your "big tent" approach welcomes team collectors to post totals? Totals could be enhanced by counting backs. No new/additional numbers for backs needed. Just count every back at the card's number. Or not.

For specific, 1 team only collectors, I would not be adverse to indicating something that shows the team as a subset.

For example, jason.1969 has posted his collection of Dodgers T205 cards. I am not familiar if he has all the Dodger cards in the set, but for an example his entry on the list could look like this if the EGGS value for all the Dodgers cards in the set happened to be 24:

19 jason.1969 19/24 (Dodgers subset) 6/11/22

For these type of collectors, I would need to have from them the total EGGS value for all cards from the team to list it this way. For the Dodgers, Jason may have the complete sub-set...it is up to individual collector to figure out.

And unfortunately, I have decided not to make backs a part of this EGGS system. Perhaps someone would like to come up with a separate T205 Ostrich EGGS thread for the backs (because when an ostrich has its head in the sand, its backside is revealed).

Brian

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Hey Brian, how about a second award to the next player to reach the magic 400 number. It should hang nicely next to Mel since they were teammates, and that would be Bill Terry, NY Giants Captain and last National Leaguer to bat over .400. Just an idea for a little more juice in the game.

With this post I have officially draped Eggoman with the Bill Terry Cloth Sash.

Brian

[Eggoman]

Shucks, I'm honored!

(But HUGE PROPS to my Mrs. SHE was the one who talked me into spending $$$$ on the Hoblitzell - No Stats.

I'm not sure that I would have had she not encouraged me to "bid one more time!")

[familytoad]

All cards need a thread...just like all threads need a card.
I'm glad this thread is here, I've been collecting EGGS for a long time.
I have stalled though, so I'm hoping this may get me rolling again...

I have calculated 334 EGGS.
That's 83.5% of a full basket.

I do have the basic set, but like many of us, we need the tough variations.
Once again, if anyone wants a copy of my Microsoft Egg-cell spreadsheet, just email me.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by familytoad

All cards need a thread...just like all threads need a card.
I'm glad this thread is here, I've been collecting EGGS for a long time.
I have stalled though, so I'm hoping this may get me rolling again...

I have calculated 334 EGGS.
That's 83.5% of a full basket.

I do have the basic set, but like many of us, we need the tough variations.
Once again, if anyone wants a copy of my Microsoft Egg-cell spreadsheet, just email me.

Welcome to the world you helped create. I am a pencil and paper type of collector (pencil so I can easily erase blunders), but I see how many folks would appreciate your Microsoft Egg-Shell spreadsheet (I think you can see how I just made an EGGScellent improvement).

Brian

[tschock]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Welcome to the world you helped create. I am a pencil and paper type of collector (pencil so I can easily erase blunders), but I see how many folks would appreciate your Microsoft Egg-Shell spreadsheet (I think you can see how I just made an EGGScellent improvement).

Brian

I used Brian's EGGS-hell spreadsheet. Like the shampoo. It's very 'Clairol' (ie Nice and Easy).

Alas, I'm at a 'measly' 295.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by tschock

I used Brian's EGGS-hell spreadsheet. Like the shampoo. It's very 'Clairol' (ie Nice and Easy).

Alas, I'm at a 'measly' 295.

To Clairolfy, that is the other T205 Brian that Taylor is referring to. In any event, it is nice to have the 200 to 299 Free Range EGGS represented. Now we just need someone in the 100 to 199 spread for this thread to be certified as organically produced.

Brian

[trambo]

I posted a few days ago but never added a photo. Nobody's posted the Mathewson Cycle back so here's mine. Only a few nicer examples out there at this point and I'm happy to have this one in my set!!

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by trambo

I posted a few days ago but never added a photo. Nobody's posted the Mathewson Cycle back so here's mine. Only a few nicer examples out there at this point and I'm happy to have this one in my set!!

Nice card! As all Cycle smokers know, in 1908 Matty could practically not lose a game he was pitching (even with 10 more losses, he still did have a great year).

Brian

[Rad_Hazard]

Only 2 EGGS, but I love it and he played for my hometown in 1900.

[Bill77]

I have 30 EGGS plus the blue signature Graham.

[RCMcKenzie]

T205 is a fun set to collect. The backs are very affordable. I snagged these AB greens on the bay for under $50 each with the juice. They don't even have to travel to Red Lobster headquarters for observation. I don't have an egg number calculated, yet. I guess I have about 175 cards. I'll check back.

[brianp-beme]

Rad_Hazard and Bill77, thanks and I will egg the Gold Gilded house with your numbers (list conveniently located in desirable post #2 area). And RCMcKenzie, looking forward to seeing your results after you break out the calculator.

Brian

[orioles70]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

T205 is a fun set to collect. The backs are very affordable.

Some T205 backs are very tough...A quick check on Ebay showed a total of 3 cards with Broad Leaf backs all over $1,000 and no cards with Hindu or Drum backs which are about as rare as a hen's tooth.

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[Eggoman]

I have EGG-xactly ONE Broadleaf - but HAPPY to share!!

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Eggoman

I have EGG-xactly ONE Broadleaf - but HAPPY to share!!

Nice Broadleaf. Mine came in my first group of prewar vintage cards. And it still is my only one. No Hindu or Drum in my collection...they are on the ultimate level of T205 back scarcity.

After all these years my Wheat is still only worth 2 points.

Brian

[Leon]

My only 2 are Cobbs. I am still hoping for an injunction to stop the quantity rule, or else I might be stuck at 12!
.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Leon

My only 2 and I am still hoping for an injunction to stop the quantity rule! Or else I might be stuck at 12...
.

Super nice Cobb cards Leon. I love the sharp registration on them. I will give you 12 points plus an additional 12 points, but then must deduct 12 points because they are just too good looking for my beater eyes to process.

Brian

[GeoPoto]

In the pre-war realm, I am primarily a Washington "Team" Collector*. In my team collection, with very few exceptions, I collect only cards reflecting Washington players, while they were playing for Washington. The primary exception is that I also collect Clark Griffith, regardless of team.

This exception intrudes on my T205 collection, which includes Griffith as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. So, my Washington* EGGS line up would be Elberfeld (5) -- 1 point; Gray - Stats (-0-) -- 5 points; Gray - NoStats (5) -- 2 points; Griffith* (7) -- 2 points; Groom (3) -- 1 point; Walter Johnson (6) -- 6 points; McBride (6) -- 1 point; Milan (4) -- 1 point; Schaefer (4) -- 1 point; and Street (4) -- 1 point.

That makes my* EGGS score 16, I think. The numbers in parenthesis are the number of different backs I have of each card. (Gray Stats has been elusive.)
That gives me a Washington* EGGS* score of 86, which feels better, unauthorized though it may be. And a requisite card to avoid breaking any more rules.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1655316955
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1655316959

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

In the pre-war realm, I am primarily a Washington "Team" Collector*. In my team collection, with very few exceptions, I collect only cards reflecting Washington players, while they were playing for Washington. The primary exception is that I also collect Clark Griffith, regardless of team.

This exception intrudes on my T205 collection, which includes Griffith as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. So, my Washington* EGGS line up would be Elberfeld (5) -- 1 point; Gray - Stats (-0-) -- 5 points; Gray - NoStats (5) -- 2 points; Griffith* (7) -- 2 points; Groom (3) -- 1 point; Walter Johnson (6) -- 6 points; McBride (6) -- 1 point; Milan (4) -- 1 point; Schaefer (4) -- 1 point; and Street (4) -- 1 point.

That makes my* EGGS score 16, I think. The numbers in parenthesis are the number of different backs I have of each card. (Gray Stats has been elusive.)
That gives me a Washington* EGGS* score of 86, which feels better, unauthorized though it may be. And a requisite card to avoid breaking any more rules.

I come up with 21 official EGGS points, with 19 of 19 for the Washington team subset. I will show both on the list. Pretty impressive lineup of backs, by the way.

Brian

[Yoda]

Brian, I have come up with a measly 46 points. But while the points pale in comparison to other stalwarts, the cards are pretty nice:
1. M. Brown (Cycle back)
2. J. Collins
3. Speaker
4. Matty - normal
5. Wojo
6. Young
7. Cobb (AB back)
8. Wallace - 1 line

[GeoPoto]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

I come up with 21 official EGGS points, with 19 of 19 for the Washington team subset. I will show both on the list. Pretty impressive lineup of backs, by the way.

Brian

I think you are crediting me with Gray-Stats, which (embarrassingly) I don't have.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

I think you are crediting me with Gray-Stats, which (embarrassingly) I don't have.

You are correct...I failed to notice the (0) amount next to that one. I will make the necessary adjustments, thus allowing the earth to rotate once again.

Brian

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Brian, I have come up with a measly 46 points. But while the points pale in comparison to other stalwarts, the cards are pretty nice:
1. M. Brown (Cycle back)
2. J. Collins
3. Speaker
4. Matty - normal
5. Wojo
6. Young
7. Cobb (AB back)
8. Wallace - 1 line

Measly is better than having measles any day, especially with that lineup.

Brian

[T205 Hunter]

A pair of my non-HOF favorites:
Oh, and I’m just covering the basics, so 338.




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