If you had to collect one set in poor condition...

[donmuth]

Here's a hypothetical question for the board.

If you had to collect one vintage baseball card set in strictly poor condition (whether it be raw, PSA1, or SGC10), what set would you choose? Would you want to go after a poor condition T206 (minus the big 4) set? Or would you rather go after some other poor condition T or E series set? Would you work on Zeenuts or Obaks? Goudeys? Or would you pick some other alternative such as a poor condition team set, player set, or type card set?

The only caveat I would like to place on this hypothetical scenario is that whatever the set/collection you pick should be within reach of the average vintage card collector.

I'm just curious about what other collectors thought would be fun to pursue.

Not that I need another collecting goal since I am not making much progress on any of the goals I already have set out... but I am thinking about coming up with a pre-WWII version of my 1955 Topps beater set and this thread may give me some ideas.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[FrankWakefield]

Hey Donny,

I'd pick T206s first. 1933 Goudeys second choice. Or if you're a tolerant fellow, what about shooting for Cracker Jacks, trying to put 176 together (and possibly an extra few) using a mixture of 1914 and 1915 cards. I think that kids collected them that way 95 years ago. With any of those choices you'll come up against a few expensive cards that can impede progress. Good luck with it. Let us know what you choose.

[three25hits]

I'd take T212-3s

In poor condition, this set could be put together for about $10-15 a card (probably much less) with exception of the Ten Million & Buck Weaver.

The colors are fantastic even in off condition, and the size is very managable. Best imagines of any T set, imho.

[mikeycook]

I'd probably go for T206 WITH the big 4, as that's the only way I'd ever be able to get the big 4 (if I ever can.)

[asphaltman]

e98's are a good choice. relatively down in price right now and there is only 30 cards to the set...cobb and wagner are the two pricey ones, and to some lesser degree matty.

[ullmandds]

I'd consider the combines 14-15' cracker jack set...as these sets are crammed with great players...great poses...and they tend to look really great in lesser grades!

[deadballpaul]

I would go with e90-1 caramels, or e98's like Dave mentioned. Those cards look fine in almost any condition to me.

[martyogelvie]

T207, they look like crap to me anyway so the poor condition wouldn't even matter.
OOPS, I Hope I didn't offend any T207 lovers out there..

[Kawika]

How about Turkey Reds? The teensiest pinhole merits a PSA1 grade and keeps the price way down.

[Doug]

It's a tough choice, but I'd probably go with T206. I've seen plenty of 1s out there that still have very good eye appeal.

[ethicsprof]

no surprises from me: T206.
my personal sine qua non.

best,

barry

[Jantz]

T3 Turkey Reds was the first choice that popped into my head. While a T206 set would my second choice.

Now, somebody tell me again why I'm trying to build a T206 set?

Nice thread idea.

Jantz

[tbob]

I can't recommend the T207s. There is a huge difference in eye appeal between an excellent and a fair "brownie." I know some don't like the drab brown backgrounds but cards in excellent or better are absolutely beautiful in this collector's mind.
I think a set like the T3 Turkey Reds retain nice eye appeal in lower grade and would select them. One poster earlier mentioned that the pinholes can kill the grade but leave them still very desireable.

[Gecklund311]

T3's are a great suggestion as you can get cards graded 1 because of a simple pinhole that would otherwise look nothing like 1's

I would also suggest two sets not mentioned yet. Rather than a rambling paragraph on each I'll do a few pluses and minuses.

The first is M101-4

+ Huge number of popular players and Hall of Famers
+ Like T206, has a number of different backs, giving you a subset to chase within your set
+ Real photos, and a lot of them are cool and show off some details of the old time game in the background

- The Ruth rookie is your roadblock, but if you're going to splurge for one big card in your collection, why not that one?
- Cards not as readily available as super popular sets like 1933 Goudey and T206...you won't be able to just go on EBay and buy 40 or 50 of them at a time.


1940 Play Ball

+ Like M101-4, a large set with nice real photos a number of Hall of Famers
+ Most of them are dirt cheap in lower condition...in fact you could consider doing this set in SGC 30/40 condition
+ Contains many players from the Goudey era but also early cards of Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, who would define the next era of baseball
+ Writeups on the back of the cards are great reading
+ Player nicknames on the front are cool...where else can you see "Twinkletoes" Selkirk or "Bad News" Hale? There is also the only card that I know of that identifies Joe Jackson as "Shoeless Joe" Jackson

- Many people don't like that retired players are included in the set (They number maybe 40 out of 240 - most are HOFers). I like this and think it adds to the enjoyment of reading the backs, but I think I'm in the minority.
- If you like your cards colorful, this set isn't for you

Nice topic...let us know when you decide!

[brianp-beme]

I've kinda made a career out of collecting lower grade cards (Zeenuts, the American Caramel E120 + E121, E220, and even W9316's, for crying out loud), but if I were to commit to a smaller set, and had the cash to stomach some of the uber-HOF'ers in the set, I would go after the D304 Brunners cards. A small set, colorful, different size and feel about them, different looking artwork, scarce but not super rare, just plain neat cards.

Brian

[OldSchoolBaseball]

T3's. Gigantic cards that actually look good a little roughed up!

[deadballera]

I would say the T3, the 1909 T212 Obak set, or the N172 Old Judge

[CobbSpikedMe]

I like the idea of the T3's for sure, they are nice large cabinets with superb color.

Also, the T205 set still looks nice in low grade because of the great colors and designs. There's a great HOF collection in there, the Joss is awesome as a memorial card and there are enough little toughies to keep it interesting.

I also like the Delongs though and didn't think I saw anyone mention those. Not a large set, plenty of low grade examples to find, and the design is really original and striking.

My 2 cents...

Thanks,

Andy