A Tale of Two Matty's

[Runscott]

So, here are two T205 Mathewsons that sold last night...in slabs (I've cropped out the slab/grade).

Any guesses as to the final hammer price on each? (no cheating) What would they have gone for unslabbed, and if you had to have one in your collection and could never sell it, which would you prefer?

I know that's three questions, and it's all sort of rhetorical, but this does get you thinking:

[sycks22]

right = 8: $16k
left = 5.5 = $1350ish

[brianp-beme]

No answers on pricing, but I know I would rather have the one on the left, because it has great color and registration. I own a lower grade one with good color, but the registration is like the one on the right, making Matty look like he just came off a bender.

Brian

[Runscott]

Brian - I call those 'Franken-Matty's'

[terjung]

I too like the one on the left - largely due to the registration, but also due to the color. The condition of the left one doesn't bother me at all. Seein the width of the borders on the right image when compared to the width of the ones on the left makes me a bit suspicious of the right one. Of course, I'm a bit suspicious of any minty mint cards from 100 years ago -regardless of holder or appearance.

No idea on costs since I don't follow tobacco cards.

[familytoad]

Scott,
If that one on the right is truly high TPG grade, < as the clues would tend to make me believe>, it reaffirms how I like my lower grade cards better
Poor registration equals poor eye appeal and that's what its all about for most of us!!!
I wish the SGC 10 label didn't use the word "poor" when it really should say something like "worn and aged appropriately" but I digress.
My reply= Go Left!

[benchod]

The one on the right makes me dizzy
The one on the left has a much better image of Christy at probably 1/15th of the price

Well I just cheated; make that 1/50th of the price
Wow the registry and it's power. Personally I wouldn't want the one on the right at all

[shaunsteig]

I agree completely with the prior replies pointing out the brighter coloring and tighter registration of the lower graded card on the left. And in general, I wouldn't mind the lower technical grade and rounded corners in favor of its other stronger qualities. In this case, however, the corner and edge wear has caused disruptions in the gold border. I find those white flakes to take away significantly from the visual appeal of the card, particular to this series since the borders are gold (eg, if this was a T206, I don't think that the wear would detract nearly as much). For that reason, I find the right-sided card preferable.

[T206Collector]

T205s are extremely condition sensitive on the borders and corners, because the gold is subject to flaking. Thus, from a condition-sensitivity standpoint, the one on the right is EXTREMELY scarce.

That people will spend a premium for sharp condition-sensitive cards is hardly groundbreaking news. Heck, I knew kids who colored in the black borders of their 1986 Topps cards in 1987.

[nebboy]

Just a guess

right one - $2000

left one - $500

I would much rather have the one on the left (Why?) It fits into my set perfect. I do have a few T205s with offset printing, it's bothers me a little but not that much. Quality control was not that tight in those days so I expect issues on a few precentage of cards.

[dstraate]

Cool thread...

I'll bet 850 for the left and 7K by a bidder who never looked further than the corners.

As far as it goes, eye appeal should encompass color and registration, but in a set like this, it also must encompass edges. In that regard, both have flaws, but both have remarkable strengths as well.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

T205s are extremely condition sensitive on the borders and corners, because the gold is subject to flaking. Thus, from a condition-sensitivity standpoint, the one on the right is EXTREMELY scarce.

That people will spend a premium for sharp condition-sensitive cards is hardly groundbreaking news. Heck, I knew kids who colored in the black borders of their 1986 Topps cards in 1987.

You are really showing your age - we colored the edges of our black 1971 Topps

To me, color and registration are imperative. With T205's, the gold borders need to have a minimum of flaking, and I think 'lefty' looks great.

The actuals:

Left Matty: PSA 4, $775 + juice
Right Matty: PSA 8, $36,716 + juice

[Leon]

Let me get the obligatory, "Collect what you like to collect," statement out of they way. If the buyer likes the 8 for $37k, bless his heart. It's his money and he can do what makes him happy. I am sure he is ecstatic with his purchase.

For me, the one on the right...the 8, looks like a piece of crap. It makes me completely dizzy and there is no way I would want it. The one on the left has great focus and I really like it. I don't understand how someone can actually be happy looking at that 8? Like I say though, nothing personal, and if they are happy that is all that matters. If they got a half point higher on the registry, and that was their goal, then they accomplished it. Accomplishing goals is fun....but as said before, that card makes me dizzy.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Leon

...that card makes me dizzy.

Leon, it's a 'Franken-Matty'. Very important that such cards be kept locked under plastic. They will hurt your children.

[nebboy]

Love the Franken-Matty - but I was way off in thinking that card would be graded PSA-8, I was 2 full grades lower.

Fun tread!!!

[Matthew H]

Maybe that 4 could be an 8 in a future auction? The borders seem wide enough.

[Runscott]

I got your registration, right here:

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I got your registration, right here:

Registration and borders are both key on the T205's. If they are both nice I think the Gold Border set is one of the best looking in the hobby. As I have said before, I had seen a ton of Cobbys but when I saw this one I knew it had my name on it. Shown many times but how can you get tired of looking at a card like this? Many of our cards are really works of art!! It got a bump after I got it from a 5.5 to a 6. That Matty SGC 70 is a great card too. Wowsers.....

[Runscott]

Oh my gosh, that's a winner!

Have you noticed that there are two color variations on the T205 Cobb? Yours has the greenish-grey facial highlights, which is my favorite version - gives his face more depth. I have one of each version, both with decent registration, but yours is pretty much perfect.

Leon - have a great Thanksgiving, and thanks for your recent help.