T206: Thoughts on Direction

[ethicsprof]

Paul M is absolutely right.
At first the Monster calls---it woos and encourages you to come on board for the taming.
Then it discourages you, drops all sorts of impediments in your pathway, and
wants you to quit.
Then it offers a mix of encouraging and discouraging, often in the same day--sometimes in the same moment.
Don't listen to it. And then you're well on your way.

best,
barry

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by ethicsprof

At first the Monster calls---it woos and encourages you to come on board for the taming. Then it discourages you, drops all sorts of impediments in your pathway, and wants you to quit. Then it offers a mix of encouraging and discouraging, often in the same day--sometimes in the same moment. Don't listen to it. And then you're well on your way.

I've gone through some long periods where the Monster completely stopped calling me. Where I doubted that I ever even wanted to collect it. These were the "impediments" described here. The Monster does want you to quit. It is tantalizing in its ease of access. T206 cards are all over ebay and the B/S/T on this very website. But that is only like a mirage in the desert. As you continue to walk closer towards it, it vanishes as quick as that Pink Hal Chase on ebay. The closer you get to completion the further the end seems. This is no 25 card E95 set. You repeatedly get half as close to the end but it is a mathematical truth that you will never get there. The Wagner and Doyle Gods will be waiting at the end to laugh at you. For many Plank, Magie and even O'Hara, Demmitt will be laughing at you, too.

But there is joy and satisfaction in reaching completion, minus even the Big 6 (not Christy, of course). It is an experience well worth having, worth the wait, the patience, the agony and the frustration and the PayPal fees. The key is to never put the set down completely. Always keep an eye on the available options. Move at your own, comfortable pace. The Monster will encourage you to sprint -- but this will only prematurely zap you of your energy. There is only one way to eat an elephant -- 1 bite at a time. How do I collect the T206 set? 1 card at a time.

[Northviewcats]

I can identify with Card Target. I started collecting the monster a few years ago, and the rate of accumulation has really slowed down. I'm about half way there. When you start buying quality, quanity will always suffer. I don't want to quit, but I'm starting to wonder if I will ever complete the set. One thing that I do know is that I'm happier when I pick up one sharp looking card than whole bunch of beaters.

I've also found myself drifting into other prewar cards. Cubans, e102s and even a Cracker Jack. I guess that you would call that cheat'n. I think I'm still hooked, because I'm willing to sell the other cards if the price is right, but I don't want to sell my T206s unless I pick up a double.

Best wishes on your collection,

Joe

[teetwoohsix]

Hi Rob-

I agree with what everyone else said.Also,just my opinion,but don't only limit yourself to portraits and Tolstoi.Look at everything,because you could miss out on an awesome pickup.Keep the portraits & Tolstoi backs as a primary focus,but look at everything.

I've gotten lucky a few times by looking at everything.I picked up a Bresnahan portrait with an EPDG back,there doesn't seem to be a lot of those around.Also picked up a Chase dark cap with with a Sov.460 back-at the time,I was only buying it because I wanted that Chase card.As you can see in the recent threads about Sov.460,it is a rarity-I just got lucky,thats all.

I wish you the best and hope you don't give up.As written in the above posts,this set will bring you all kinds of mixed feelings and emotions,but it is just so much damn fun,I plan to collect them for many years to come!!!

Good luck hunting Rob!!!

Sincerely,Clayton

[Robextend]

Thanks Clayton....

I think I am going to go the Tolstoi route as the primary focus and since I have some different backs and a couple HOFers, I can possibly build off of that too. Whatever I decide to do I will make sure it brings a smile to my face...and I guess cobwebs to my wallet!

Thanks to all for the insightful responses.

Rob

[Jantz]

Rob

Thats good advice from Clayton. Focus on what you like, but keep a "panoramic view". You might stumble across something really nice. I too have picked up some nice cards by looking at everything like Clayton has mentioned.

Jantz

[M's_Fan]

One collector on the SGC registry has a nice collection of one card from each of the Hall of Famers of the T206 set, focusing on their portraits when possible. Just an idea for you.

http://www.sgccardregistry.com/set.a...7&userset=2854

[PolarBear]

I think back sets are the way to go with T206 collecting (although I'm in the minority on that).

A Tolstoi set would be cool and I don't think anyone else is doing one.

What would be neat would be to also get the Tolstoi T218's etc. There's even non sports cards like the Military series.

[ChiefBenderForever]

A bunch of Tolstoi backs would be very cool. And the E91s are a very cool set to put together, and you can't go wrong with Waddell.

[Robextend]

Thanks everyone!!

I am 100% doing the Tolstoi back project. Although it will be slow because of scarcity and budget, I am looking forward to the long journey which I will chronicle on this site.

I really do love the look of the E91 cards and that is what drew me to start collecting those. I wanted to go slow with that project as well, but to my surprise there has been an influx of them on Ebay recently and I have over 30% complete for each E91 set.

[Robextend]

So far this is my only Tolstoi, but not an awful start:

[fkw]

The most common of all PreWar cards, ..........Very Overatted IMO.

But they are attractive, full of history, and lower grade raw cards are cheap for vintage.

The size and number of HOFers will cost some $$ overall, But its Very Very easy to build a set if you have the cash flow (minus big 4/5).

I have worked on sets 3 times in my life (80's-90's) and never got past 75% without losing interest and selling/trading them off.

Very easy for team sets, HOF collections etc.

The challenging part is if you are trying for a Back Type set.

But then again I am no longer a Set Collector.

I like sets like the E90-1 much better for some reason, more of a challenge IMO