I'm wanting to get started in pre-war cards

[Leon]

I am a type collector. The ole one of each syndrome. However, that was what I used to do. Now I collect types and cards I like. The fun thing about collecting is you can do anything you want to. Collect what appeals to you. Raw is fine but buy from trusted sources. Get your feet wet before you totally jump in. Good luck...Our BST is a pretty good place to find some nice cards. Have fun...



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[conor912]

Go to oldcardboard.com. It’s an amazing resource that will help you get started. At the top of the main page you’ll see the different categories...”T cards, R cards, N cards” etc. When you click on each of those, you’ll see a list of just about every set ever produced within that category. At the top of the list is a “Gallery of sets”. This gallery has a photo example of a card from each set. Browse these. There are certain to be designs that stand out to you. Make a list of those that do and do some more research until you land on one (or a few) that you’re willing to take a plunge into and dive in. Buy one card from a few different sets. Having them in hand might push you one way or the other. Go slow and eventually you’ll find your groove. If you’re going with raw, definitely start with lower grade commons. That’s my super condensed primer.

[mrvster]

You are going to love it here!

try on some T206! there are literally thousand of ways to collect them....if you need any help, just message me

Peace

Johnny V

[Rhotchkiss]

+1

T206 is a huge set, can be obtained raw, has a ton of diversity and can be collected in so many ways (it is “the Monster”), can be reasonably affordable (most cards), and is very widely collected so it’s a great way to meet people and make friends. Also, it’s a great way to learn players who played and coached into the 20’s, 30’s and beyond, and to learn about the world of advertising backs and front-back variations. Great place to start IMO (but admittedly, I am biased).

[Mark]

You are where just about everyone here was at the start of their collecting careers. Unlike many of us, from the start, you have a lot of friendly and knowledgeable people at net54 at your disposal. In my opinion, you can still get some nice raw, cards of famous players from sets like the t206 and 33 Goudey --- and if you're not too worried about condition, they are not astronomically expensive. If I were just starting out, I'd go to ebay, pick out a couple of rough condition examples, and get to know the look, feel, and geneal size of the older cards. Any set or condition that attracts you will do.

[Huysmans]

My advice will be different...

Do not take any advice or suggestions from board members on what to collect, how to collect, where to purchase, what to look for, etc.
Part of the fun of collecting is the learning and exploring of the hobby, and this is best done by diving in first hand, gaining experience, and personalizing your collecting goals that will evolve over time.

You never really know what you'll end up liking and where it will lead you...

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

My advice will be different...

Do not take any advice or suggestions from board members on what to collect, how to collect, where to purchase, what to look for, etc.
Part of the fun of collecting is the learning and exploring of the hobby, and this is best done by diving in first hand, gaining experience, and personalizing your collecting goals that will evolve over time.

You never really know what you'll end up liking and where it will lead you...

I would second this. Baseball cards are like women - you don't fall in love with one because someone tells you to. You date a few, give it some thought and consideration, and you'll find yourself drawn to a set or two that you really think are special.

So, with that in mind, I don't want to play matchmaker exactly, but I do suggest you at least consider my favorite set: T202. It sounds like you aren't very familiar with pre-war cards or the players from those days. Well, here's what a T202 offers:
1. 2 colorful end panels, very much like the popular T205 set
2. An action photo from about 1908-1911 (how cool is that!)
3. Perhaps best of all, each of those 3 panels has a very interesting biography of the players depicted, so you can learn a little about those guys, and baseball at that time, while holding a card that's well over a hundred years old.

And, you can get ungraded ones in the $50 range, and often times, cards with Hall of Famers in the center panel are considered commons (A Great Batsman - Lajoie, for example.)

Now, go out and date a few pre-war cards. Just be sure to get home before midnight.