If you could only choose one

[e107collector]

Consider the following scenerio:

You walk into a room, and there in front of you, lies the most valuable baseball cards, all in very good condition. They are as follows:

1. T206 Honus Wagner
2. T206 Eddie Plank
3. E107 Honus Wagner
4. E107 Christy Mathewson
5. Baltimore News Babe Ruth
6. T210 Joe Jackson
7. Just So Cy Young
8. Old Judge Cap Anson in Uniform
9. Texas Tommy Type 1 Ty Cobb
10. Four Base Hits King Kelley
11. T206 Doyle Error

You are told you can only leave with one card. Which card would you choose and why?

I would probably be torn between the Baltimore News Ruth and the E107 Wagner. Even though the Ruth is more valuable, I would more than likely choose the E107 Wagner. It's my favorite card of all time, and has a great image of a young Wagner in my opinion.

What do you guys think?

Tony

[Jcfowler6]

So disappointed that the 1989 Billy Ripken $*%& Face card didn't make the list.

No really the T206 Wagner Card would be my choice. It's the card to end all cards. This card has more books written about it than any I can think of. There are movies based on this card for crying out loud. People that have never seen a baseball card know about this card. It is the card the rest of our hobby is based on.

I would be like a 13 year old girl in the front row of a Beetles concert if I were in the same room as this card, even if it was ripped in 4 pieces and on fire.

And J H Wagner can be argued to be the greatest player of all times. Best short stop ever and best Pirate ever at least.

[sportscardpete]

e107 Mathewson.. in particular the really nice one that sold in Heritage a year or two ago. That card was amazing.

[tbob]

T210 Jackson. I guess I may be the only collector who votes for Joe but it is a great card.

[Robextend]

T206 Wagner...this should be a poll!!

[alsup2311]

It would have to be the T210 Joe Jackson for me. That card has captured my imagination more than once.

[thetruthisoutthere]

The Matty E107.

511 wins and over 7300 innings pitched. How the heck did his arm not fall off. Amazing!!!

[Gradedcardman]

The Doyle, the rarest of the 206's IMO.

[Epps]

I agree with the T210 Jackson. He's my favorite player and the card is my avatar. Plus it's from a great set. One day..

[Bicem]

Just So Young.

And if value was taken out of the equation... Just So Young.

[jp1216]

Originally Posted by Jcfowler6

So disappointed that the 1989 Billy Ripken $*%& Face card didn't make the list.

HEY!!! jk

I'd take the T206 Wagner. A favorite of mine!

[GaryPassamonte]

If you mean the Four Base Hits Kelly, it gets my vote.

[Bobsbats]

I know most people have said the Wagner, so you could sell it and buy others, but I have never seen an Anson in uniform in person before. The Kelly Four Base Hits is a great card too.....but for me, knowing there is really only less than 5 of the Anson Old Judge, hands down thats which one I choose.

[e107collector]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

If you mean the Four Base Hits Kelly, it gets my vote.

Gary, you are correct, I just editied the original post. I don't know why I was thinking Kalamazoo Bats.

The thread seems to have quite a diverse array of responses. The T210 Jax, T206 Wagner, and Just So Young seem to be the most popular.

No one wants the Type 1 Texas Tommy Cobb?

Tony

[uffda51]

4BH Kelly, edging out Anson in uniform.

[Jason]

I want to say the Anson but I think I would instantly regret that decision.The Wagner for sure.Not for resale value just because I want it.Great thread,hard decision to make.

[steve B]

Ok, I'd be happy with any of them. And choosing is very tough. All great cards, and all great players.

I'd probably go with the just so Young. But most of the others are really close.

Oddly for me the last on the list is the Wagner. I saw one up close at a small auction a few years ago and my reaction really surprised me. I went mostly to see the Wagner. And there was a brief thrill. But that was replaced by the thought that it was just a T206, a creased, written on, worn T206 that was probably worth more than all the others there combined. But it just didn't thrill me. I still don't know why.

Steve B

[g_vezina_c55]

My choice : T206 Wagner

Classic image, a lot of history with this card, colorfull card, great HOF.

[dabigyankeeman]

T206 Wagner to re-sell and use the money for old Yankee cards.

However, if i had to keep the card, i would take the Baltimore News Ruth, my alltime favorite player.

[drmondobueno]

Screw the rules. I'd take them all!!

All kidding aside, it would be very hard to choose between the Ruth and the Wags. The coin is in the air...I'll take the Wags, being a West Coast Pirate fan and a Monster collector.

[famousgolfers]

Not to side track the thread, but I know several people have mentioned taking the T206 Wagner and then reselling it to buy other cards. I know the Wagner PSA 8 has sold for the most money, but wouldn’t a Baltimore News Ruth or a Just So Cy Young in the same grade as the T206 Wagner sell for more money? Needless to say, I would take the Baltimore News Ruth.

[Rich Klein]

After all, that is the only card to have a book written about it.

[h2oya311]

Not much love for 19th century...

I have the same list as many...I'd definitely be torn b/w the Cy Young and Babe Ruth cards...but it'd have to be in this order:

(1) Baltimore News Ruth - either color
(2) Just So Young
(3) T206 Wagner

Every time I show a co-worker or friend an image of the 1914 Ruth online, they instantly become fascinated with baseball card collecting. Now that's "wow factor"!! Usually when I talk about baseball card collecting, eyes gloss over almost as much as if I explain what an actuary does at an insurance company...

[Brian Van Horn]

Wagner. I am from Pittsburgh, a Pirates fan, and live within 7 miles of Carnegie which was Wagner's birthplace and hometown throughout his life.

[quinnsryche]

Hans. Wouldn't think twice or even look at the others. Value, prestige, history, artistic value, bragging rights. The Wagner has it all.