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

[ullmandds]

The above few cards are NOT from "mainstream" sets...as the question stated?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

The above few cards are NOT from "mainstream" sets...as the question stated?

A few people mentioned using the Catalog to determine scarcities. It would be interesting to put together a list from the mainstream sets and then get input to rank them - it's all been discussed plenty of times and perhaps such a list already exists somewhere. I was digging through old Net54 threads yesterday and found one for voting on T206 tough cards. Comparisons were drawn between the O'Hara, Demmitt and green Cobb. I had no idea that people considered the green Cobb all that tough.

[tiger8mush]

some of the M101-1 Supplements are prett darn tough to come by. Finding a particular M101-2 can be tough, but at least you can find an example from the set on ebay. Sometimes you can't even find an M101-1 period.

I know, they aren't "cards", but they have an ACC #

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

some of the M101-1 Supplements are prett darn tough to come by. Finding a particular M101-2 can be tough, but at least you can find an example from the set on ebay. Sometimes you can't even find an M101-1 period.

I know, they aren't "cards", but they have an ACC #

Examples, please.

[Kenny Cole]

What is a "mainstream" set? I have trouble considering a card from any set "mainstream" if the set itself is so rare that the chance to own any given card from it is, for all practical purposes, non-existent. For example, I don't consider Leon's T231 Baker to come from a mainstream set because, absent a future find, only a couple of people other than Leon can ever own one.

I would consider the U.S. Caramel Lindstrom to come from a mainstream set because there is a realistic chance to own the remainder of the set if one chooses to go after it. Similarly, all N167s are tough to find, but they can be had if you are willing to write a big check. The total population of almost any particular card from the Cuban issues of the 1910s and 1920s is, for the most part, probably less than 20. However, excluding Pete Hill, Bruce Petway and perhaps a few others, a copy can be had if one looks hard enough. Whether the distribution pattern of Cuban cards is such that they qualify as "mainstream" or are instead "regional" issues, is probably a topic best left for another day.

[bcbgcbrcb]

That's it Anthony, thanks for the correction. Guess I had two different ones but mixed them up.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

What is a "mainstream" set? I have trouble considering a card from any set "mainstream" if the set itself is so rare that the chance to own any given card from it is, for all practical purposes, non-existent.

Kenny, I'm hoping as an off-shoot of this thread, someone will start a new one with clear examples of 'mainstream sets'. The original poster gave '33 Goudeys and Cracker Jacks as examples, but only Leon picked up on it. I've asked about T205's and gotten a few responses. I would start a new thread on this myself, as I would like the same info the poster is asking for, but I'm afraid the answer would be that for mainstream sets it is common knowledge.

[ullmandds]

"Mainstream" sets again...are open to debate depending on one's knowledge. To me...mainstream sets are: T201/202/204/205/206/207...E90-1.

Add 33, 34 Goudey

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

"Mainstream" sets again...are open to debate depending on one's knowledge. To me...mainstream sets are: T201/202/204/205/206/207...E90-1.

Peter, I'll use the catalog to build a table of scarcities in such sets, rank them according to what little I know, and run it by you guys for modifications...if there's any interest in such an effort - as I mentioned, it likely already exists and my search abilities are just challenged. Personally, I need it for the T206 and T205 sets I'm working on, so it's gonna happen. T206's are pretty easy, though.

Maybe not mainstream, but I always enjoy seeing the 1920-21 Big Head Strip Cards. Don't see them very often at auction or ebay. Not too many high quality examples of this series.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

"Mainstream" sets again...are open to debate depending on one's knowledge. To me...mainstream sets are: T201/202/204/205/206/207...E90-1.

Add 33, 34 Goudey

Peter, list created for T206 and T205 - PM your email and I'll send it to you if you'd like. I have them ranked by price, but it would be good to add a scarcity index (maybe 1 to 10 with a decimal)

[philliesphan]

1911 Zeenut Bohen is extraordinarily rare.