T206 focus

[xplainer]

Most of you probably don't remember when you first got involved with the monster, but I've dabbling for about a year now. Buy some, later sell some. No real direction.

Well, I've learned a lot (mostly reading right here), and now I have focused my T206 direction.

Lavender still, but my focus now is a back run, as high as I can go. Starting with the five most common - Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, Old Mill, Polar Bear and Sovereign. That is 20 cards covering the variations. Excluding Old Mill brown.

Now, I have specfic cards on the radar. By using "Inside T206" (thanks Scot), I've created a checklist of the 20 cards. I have seven in my current collection.

So, my quest begins.

-Jimmy

[sreader3]

Jimmy,

Lavender is a nice looking card -- I really like the yellow background.

I just sold an EPDG PSA 4 for a pretty reasonable price.

Maybe a board member picked it up and will make it available ???

Good luck with the quest.

Scot

[Econteachert205]

My experience with the monster is somewhat similar. Started it, got overwhelmed, sold most of mine, now I only really look at low end hof portraits with easy backs. They don't cost a fortune and to me are the best looking cards in the set.

[xplainer]

Originally Posted by sreader3

Jimmy,

Lavender is a nice looking card -- I really like the yellow background.

I just sold an EPDG PSA 4 for a pretty reasonable price.

Maybe a board member picked it up and will make it available ???

Good luck with the quest.

Scot

You know, every Lavender I own, or have owned, has that right line extend above the top line. No matter the back. I'm just saying.

[Joshchisox08]

Good for you Jimmy I'm completely trapped under the Monster's spell. I know I can't possibly complete it but 518 is MAYBE a possibility. It'll take a lifetime but that's the fun part.

[Cmount76]

I had a similar experience and after toying around with a back run, I put that aside to do mid-grade HOFers and horizontals. I'll break the monster into mini sub-sets to hopefully make some headway.

Good luck on your journey!

[Mountaineer1999]

Originally Posted by Cmount76

I had a similar experience and after toying around with a back run, I put that aside to do mid-grade HOFers and horizontals. I'll break the monster into mini sub-sets to hopefully make some headway.

Good luck on your journey!

I wonder if everyone goes through this and hits this wall? I am in the same boat... 1 year, 120 cards and I'm thinking of selling all and just running with HOF'ers only.

[trdcrdkid]

I got my first T206 in 1979 for $1.25 through the mail, and I still have it. My Monster Number is about to hit 200, and the only cards I've ever sold or traded or given away were duplicates. I haven't really had much of a specific focus, other than starting to collect the tougher backs in the mid-90s. My T206 collecting has mostly been opportunistic, just picking up cards that are reasonably nice-looking for the price when I could find them, which is also the way I've approached Old Judges, T205s, T209s, T210s, T212s, and pretty much all of my pre-war cards.

[Joshwesley]

I'm about a month into collecting t206's and have 6.

As you can imagine it's whirlwind trying to get educated on backs, variations, grades.. Etc... I have zero experience with cards since about 1995.

Tons of fun learning about the cards and the players on them....

Wish I knew what I know now, I would have tons of rare backs and HOF'ers and would have bought them for a fraction of the price in 1995.

Looks like t206's certainly are in great shape from an investment stabdpoint as it seems they have climbed steadily in value over the last 30-40'years.... Even low graded commons.

I'm really enjoying myself and this site has basically made it possible.
Thanks!

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer1999

I wonder if everyone goes through this and hits this wall? I am in the same boat... 1 year, 120 cards and I'm thinking of selling all and just running with HOF'ers only.

One thing that has really helped me is taking on other sets and continuing to collect other individual cards that I like as well. I only collect when I feel like it too, I don't force anything. When I first started collecting T206's, I went at it like I was going to finish the set within a few years...but in reality I knew it would take a lot longer because I'm not one that has unlimited funds. I've set a modest goal every year that doesn't push myself or my pockets too much. If I don't hit it, it's no big deal, but it gives me something to strive for. I figure I'll finish the set (518) within fifteen years from my starting point...which is fine with me.

What is hard for a lot of people when starting the Monster is the fact that it will be a marathon to finish the set and it's easy to get bored or complacent...and that's where my other collections have helped me out. I don't know where I'd be if I only collected T206's...probably in a mental institute!

I do think the smart way to go is to collect a small subset and if you want to extend your focus from there, test it out. This set, even in low condition will cost you thousands of dollars to complete.

[Joshwesley]

I asked this to a friend of mine the other day....

Anyone here ever taken their entire collection, liquidated it and then just put it all back into one really nice card?

Example: sale a near complete nice conditioned set of t-206's and then find/buy an eddie plank or something similar (minus the Wagner)..

Or is the fun of collecting and having multiples the top priority?

[Mountaineer1999]

Originally Posted by freakhappy

One thing that has really helped me is taking on other sets and continuing to collect other individual cards that I like as well. I only collect when I feel like it too, I don't force anything. When I first started collecting T206's, I went at it like I was going to finish the set within a few years...but in reality I knew it would take a lot longer because I'm not one that has unlimited funds. I've set a modest goal every year that doesn't push myself or my pockets too much. If I don't hit it, it's no big deal, but it gives me something to strive for. I figure I'll finish the set (518) within fifteen years from my starting point...which is fine with me.

What is hard for a lot of people when starting the Monster is the fact that it will be a marathon to finish the set and it's easy to get bored or complacent...and that's where my other collections have helped me out. I don't know where I'd be if I only collected T206's...probably in a mental institute!

I do think the smart way to go is to collect a small subset and if you want to extend your focus from there, test it out. This set, even in low condition will cost you thousands of dollars to complete.

You make many valid points here Mike. Slow and steady is a key because once your done then what is there? I agree the best way to approach this is through subsets and I may back up and try that approach.