520 T206 Set Realized Tonight

[jlehma13]

Hearing the unmistakable sound of the mail truck, I rushed outside in time to be hand-delivered number 520 tonight! The most elusive card to me turned hottest card in the set/hobby finally found it's way to me courtesy of Jeff (Thromdog). Finishing my 520 set with a green Cobb that so perfectly fits into the beater theme and the act of kindness which made it all possible, makes it the perfect ending to the 6 year journey.

The finished product has no shortage of character. From BB gun holes, burns, tears, writing and stamps to creases that have creases. Even if my budget did allow for higher quality versions, I can't honestly say I would prefer them. These cards were played with, loved and, in some cases, rather unloved! Along the way I splurged on some rare backs (13 different brands), A few cards with provenance, and whatever color and printing variations I happened upon.

Thanks to all who helped along the way. I still would be working on it and it wouldn't have been half as fun if not for Net54. C Maxey, Marcdelpercio, Luke, Mybuddyinc, Thromdog to name just a few. There are many!

In time I will scan and share the set but for now, here's what I do when I want to thumb through my 519... no, 520!

[SetBuilder]

Somewhere out there probably exists a trimmed Wagner of just his forehead pasted in a scrapbook you can buy for like $1,000.

[mrvster]

Congrats my friend!!! I love your focus! you did it!

you conquered the monster

also Jeff, that was awesome....


Jon again congrats

[jlehma13]

My green Cobb, or what's left of him, with what's left of the others.

[CobbSpikedMe]

Awesome Jon! That must have been so sweet to actually hear the postman driving up. I really like that you love all the cards despite the condition. I too enjoy well loved cards.

AndyH

[jlehma13]

And finally...

[Thromdog]

All the best bub.

Show em the Young and Johnson portraits!!!!

[t206kid]

Congrats Jeff! Amazing accomplishment finishing the Monster.

[jlehma13]

Originally Posted by Thromdog

All the best bub.

Show em the Young and Johnson portraits!!!!

The Young came from Mybuddyinc and the Johnson you snagged in an auction for me. Vic is plain scary looking, Miller has no eyes, Christy is moldy then he got open heart surgery. Chief is a Lenox! Then you've got Demmitt and O'Hara, again you were instrumental in facilitating one of those purchases.

[brianp-beme]

Number 520 was a long time coming...congrats Jon, and tremendous assist by Jeff. My Green Cobb salutes yours!

Brian

[KCRfan1]

Congratulations Jon! I just bought my first one yesterday, I have a ways to go.

[GregZakwin]

Very cool Jon, congrats on completion and a salute to your perseverance!

[Rhotchkiss]

Great accomplishment, congratulations!

[rats60]

Congratulations, I know what a thrill it is the finish the greatest set in the hobby. My #520 was the O'Hara.

[Marckus99]

Not a fan of the set but congrats to you nonetheless!
Great card collecting accomplishment.
Besides, loved cards are the best!!

- M.

[NYYFan63]

Congrats! Quite the accomplishment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jlehma13]

Thanks, Guys!

[slidekellyslide]

Congrats Jon! A nice accomplishment and you took your time. A lot of collectors jump on that set like it's a sprint and give up quickly.

[Thromdog]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Number 520 was a long time coming...congrats Jon, and tremendous assist by Jeff. My Green Cobb salutes yours!

Brian

Jon, let's see the Napolean the 3rd foursome! I believe he used to be with Brian's Cobb.....

Hahaha

[tuckr1]

Incredible!! I love them all

Congrats

[Northviewcats]

Congratulations.

My youngest brother got me interested in collecting T206s. At card shows I was always concerned about condition, but Chris preferred beaters. He claimed they had more history and character. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after he began collecting, and I continue to struggle to finish a mid-grade set.

Your achievement encourages me to keep going and finish the quest.

Thank you,

Joe

[KingFisk]

Congratulations, sir! A monumental achievement.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[btcarfagno]

A beautiful accomplishment in an ugly way. Well done sir!

[T206Collector]

Well done - the conditions are wonderful. That Elberfeld looks familiar! I wouldn't change a thing!

I wonder what you will do now. I've gotten over 510 twice, and to 521 once. But always purged to make a run at other interests. Keep us posted on the next big thing.

[rjackson44]

terrific jon

[mybuddyinc]

Jon,

Congrats on 520 !!!!

I remember helping you out with a few beauties; the Young being a fun one ....

I agree, I like cards that were handled, loved, and enjoyed .....


But ..... as they say ...... What's next ?? ...........

Fun, Stuff, Scott

[tschock]

Originally Posted by jlehma13

My green Cobb, or what's left of him, with what's left of the others.

Jon,

CONGRATS! Not an easy row to hoe!

You Cobb reminds me of Kermit singing "It's Not Easy Being Green".

[rommesc]

Jon, congratulations on reaching 520! Great to see pictures of cards from your well loved set. I probably looked at them for about the same amount of time I would spend looking at high-grade cards.

What's next...further downgrading, upgrading, etc.?

[bbcard1]

Welcome to the brotherhood of people stubborn enough to get to 520.

[CW]

Congratulations, Jon! Those cards are wonderful survivors. I'm sure we'd all look pretty similar when we get to be about 108 years old.

Your die cut Johnson portrait is a Net54 classic, too. I remember seeing that card posted on here well over 10 years ago.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Just awesome, and what a fun way to go about it.

[jlehma13]

Originally Posted by brianp-beme

Number 520 was a long time coming...congrats Jon, and tremendous assist by Jeff. My Green Cobb salutes yours!

Brian

Like many of you, I've enjoyed reuniting or seeing cards that once belonged with the same collector. Jeff snagged a lot, some of which were formerly glued on the reverse of a picture of "The Fancy Man". There is a thread somewhere on this. I was lucky to get the 4 cards that made up the bust of The Fancy Man who was later found to be Napoleon III. Turns out Brian's beater green Cobb was once part of the same collection as well.

I would guess the collector that figured Napoleon would make a suitable display for their t206's would find it ironic that I found his t206 display a great way to display Nap III.

[jlehma13]

Originally Posted by Northviewcats

Congratulations.

My youngest brother got me interested in collecting T206s. At card shows I was always concerned about condition, but Chris preferred beaters. He claimed they had more history and character. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after he began collecting, and I continue to struggle to finish a mid-grade set.

Your achievement encourages me to keep going and finish the quest.

Thank you,

Joe

Sounds like it will be a pretty special day when you complete your set. Make sure it has a few beaters in it!

[Scott L.]

As the proud owner of a 520 "set" I salute you! Wonderful accomplishment that I know probably wasn't possible without the help of many folks. It certainly wasn't for me.

Best wishes

Scott

[marcdelpercio]

Hmm...I dunno...that Lajoie in the first photo looks suspiciously nice. You sure that's one of yours? Seriously though, congrats on the accomplishment! 520 in any condition is a big deal and, as a fellow beater connoisseur, I enjoy looking at a set like this just as much, if not more, than a high grade collection. Thanks for all the nice deals we did along the way. I'm glad that I was able to be a small part of your journey!

[jlehma13]

Thanks, Marc! You're right about that Lajoie but he's not going anywhere. Not sure if it was technically a National show or not (Chicago mid-late 90's at the then rosemont convention center) but that Lajoie was the 3rd and last t206 I would buy until 20+ years later.