What are some of the toughest mainstream vintage cards to find?

[Cardboard Junkie]

By "mainstream" do you mean nationally available? I would have to vote for certain cabinet cards and probably anything 19th century that would fit into mainstream. I have found that most all 19th century regional issues are tough, but I guess thats not mainstream...hmmmm how about some of the tougher sporting news issued cards that are in high demand. Then there are the tough series of cards in a few prewar gum issues too, I guess one could go on and on. Peace, Dave.

[fkw]

tough question........ mainstream usually means common and well known.

If youre talking cards with an ACC# (American Card Catalog Number), there is only one answer ....the 1922 T231 Fan Cigarettes.
There are only 2 examples known.... a Frank Baker (Hi Leon ), and a Carson Bigbee thats been seen as a zerox copy about 30 years ago and never since (as far as I know)

[fkw]

PS. This card (below) may also be a 1933 R340 (or at worst a R309-1 prototype/proof) and if it is a R340, it would be the rarest baseball card with an ACC#
R340s were never issued as intended (redemption offer of 50 Sport Kings wrappers, advertised on some 1933 Sport Kings wrappers)


Its a unique example, only one known (I own it )

I might as well do my biyearly...
"has anyone seen another R309-1 example with the extra wide green borders (adds nearly 1/2" to the height and width compared to the R309-1), green name plaque (instead of the gold on R309-1), square top easel (instead of the round top on R309-1), far superior image quality (compared to the R309-1)"?




PS. A R340 Johnny Weissmuller has been seen, but like the T231 Bigbee mentioned above, the only known image is a small older newspaper quality B&W image, and its not easy to tell if it has the extra green border around edges, but it DOES have the same plaque and fake wood frame design, and fits the size and general description of the R340 premiums offered on the wrapper above..

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by fkw

tough question........ mainstream usually means common and well known.

If youre talking cards with an ACC# (American Card Catalog Number), there is only one answer ....the 1922 T231 Fan Cigarettes.
There are only 2 examples known.... a Frank Baker (Hi Leon ), and a Carson Bigbee thats been seen as a zerox copy about 30 years ago and never since (as far as I know)

I believe a third example has surfaced. Saw that somewhere recently, maybe on the REA blog.