Higher Grade T206s (raw vs. slabbed)

[Archive]

Posted By: Scott Levy

Several of you know that my dad (Hank) and I are avid collectors of the T206 set...especially the rare backs and printing variations.

We are considering selling our graded set and picking up a similar higher end grouping of T206 raw cards. While some people love to compete on the registry, for me the enjoyment of flipping through a binder full of tobacco cards has been long lost and I want it back!

I'd love for the board to chime in with their opinions on whether a significant collection of relatively high end T206s (think roughly EX condition) exists and how hard it would be to find such a set. Of course any leads would be welcome

Here's a link to our collection
http://www.psacard.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=2208

Warm Regards,
Scott

[Archive]

Posted By: Marc S.

There are myriad old school collectors who have put together T-206 sets that which, today, would largely be EX condition, on average...some better, some worse. However, I think there is a very low likelihood that you would find many opportunities to purchase such a set. Most dealers and auction houses would find positive yield by grading out most of the components of a raw set like that...which limit the availability to purchase for the average collector.

Most major auctions seem to have partial [520] sets available, but they primarily seem to be in VG to VG/EX condition at most, with very few examples at EX or better condition.

Good luck in your quest. Have you considered simply liberating the PSA graded examples you have?

[Archive]

Posted By: JimB

They are certainly out there, but increasingly they get slabbed before they go to market, that is if you are hoping to pick a set up all in one shot. Alternatively, you could buy some large lots and piece it together. Or just crack all those slabs. If you know a dealer you trust, you can ask them to keep an eye out for you.
JimB
P.S. If you do break up your set, I would be interested in about 20 of them.

[Archive]

Posted By: Marcion

I have a complete set of T206 HOFers, almost all of which are in PSA 5 or better. Yes, Plank is in there (he's the odd man out at PSA 4) and Magie and Demmit and O'Hara, who aren't HOFers but still high end. It took about three years and more money than I thought I could line up, but as long as the market holds I think I'll be fine. Speaking of the market, I collect for pleasure (I've been at it almost 30 years), and not because I think I can make a killing someday. The rest of my T206s (the set is done except for three commons) are in folders. I know the pleasures of both graded and ungraded cards.

Do what you want to do. For me, it's been a hoot either way.

Marcion

[Archive]

Posted By: JimCrandell

Not your question but Spence is 100% complete at about a 7 avg. grade and Louchios is 99.8% complete at 8.16 avg grade--obviossly the top collection of T206 cards that exists today and probably most valuable on registry,.

[Archive]

Posted By: Pennsylvania Ted

If these guys have Joe Doyle error cards in their sets......they have to be confirmed.
As you know, Graded Doyle error cards have been discovered that are not "authentic".

[Archive]

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

As you know, and have seen some of my T206 sets, they vary in grade (from Vg to Ex-Mt),
and are in high quality 15-pocket plastic sheets....in binders.

All 5 of them.....

518 card....all-PIEDMONT set

410 card....all-SOVEREIGN set

467 card....all-SWEET CAPORAL, Factory 30 set

..35 card....all-SWEET CAPORAL 150, Factory 649 (overprint) set

..70 card....AMERICAN BEAUTY 460 sub-set


I realize that most collectors on Net54 prefer Graded cards; but, I guess I'm an old "dinosaur".
I really enjoy flipping thru pages of cards in an Album. And, they are easier to store than 500+
pieces of rectangular hard plastic.

To each his own.

Anyhow, SCOT & HANK...."welcome back to the fight" (to quote Paul Henreid in CASABLANCA).
I do not think you will have any regrets. And, it furthers the "hunt" for you.....the continuing
T206 challenge is well worth it.

T-Rex TED

[Archive]

Posted By: JimCrandell

Ted,

Given the competitive nature of the Set Registry many collectors keep their sets hidden. Both Spence and Louchios fall into that category so hard to know what they may need--would note that Spence's set is 100% complete.

I keep all my sets open as many times dealers and collectors come to me saying I see you need this particular card--the downside is you can get run up in price if a seller knows you want it badly.

Jim

[Archive]

Posted By: Eric S.

I have a fairly large collection of T206's that date back to the mid eighties when I worked in a card shop in Ohio after school. Back then a EX common could be had for $5 and Nap was $25, other HOFers were under $100 and Wagner had really just gotten mainstream. I think there are a few considerations when opening the topic of graded vs. raw:

1. Are you a collector or strictly a dealer. If a collector, I can't imagine enjoying a century old card with unique and high quality artistic value in a slab. If a dealer, I can see the benefit.

2. Cards are only worth what others are willing to pay. Graded cards by x,y or z grading company hold different premiums. Many times it's not the card bringing the higher value, it's the grader. I have seen too many examples of graded cards that had to be graded by a lesser bipedal animal than us. Too incosistent and not worth the poor display case you've paid for along with the inconsistent evaluation of your card.

3. Look at what grading did to the coin industry. The longer grading occurs the more potential the card has to experience deflated prices on the market. This is escalated by the wide range of internet opportunities to purchase cards. If you increase the cost you must increase the sale. If the cost of sale becomes a narrower margin the the sale price you experience a lesser %gp. Whether a collector or dealer, we are worried about the bottom line. Less overhead = lower cost = more price flexibility.

In a nutshell.........I miss the days of old. There are a lot of fat bodies out there sucking up cards as comodities and throwing them in a poorly designed slab with a laser label and selling them at inflated prices. I'm not prophetic and can't predict the future of graded cards, but I know where I spend my money.

[Archive]

Posted By: Eric S.

Can't believe my previous post went without thrashing.

[Archive]

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

You'll get no flak from me. Your story is very similar to mine. I started on my 1st T206 set in the early 1980's.

All, my sets are in 15-slot plastic sheets in albums. I have some of the stars in rectangular plastics. But, only
because I acquired them as such. When, I can replace them with an ungraded equivalent, then I will trade or
sell the graded ones.

When it comes to BB cards, my motto is......

I BUY....TRADE....SELL

CARDS that I can......

TOUCH....CARESS....SMELL


Eric....you are fighting a losing battle on this forum, when you "disparage" Graded cards....but, I am sure you
are aware of this.

Anyhow, just thought I'd remind you.

Regards,

TED Z

[Archive]

Posted By: Eric S.

Ted,

Thanks for the comments. I thought it would spur an important conversation that needs to be had in our hobby. There must not be many proponents of ungraded cards on this forum. In the meantime I will continue to try and balance our hobby by keeping them out of the slabs.

Thanks,

Eric

[Archive]

Posted By: Martin Neal

If you are trying to build a t206 set on a limited budget, the most efficient way is to buy ungraded cards, grade them, keep some for your set and then sell the rest to fund other t206 purchases. In 7-8 years, I have bought approximately 3000 t206s of which I have only kept 700-800, mostly graded. This strategy has allowed me to complete the set (minus Ohara, Demmitt, Paige, Thornton and a few commons at a relatively small cost. If I were to become independently wealthy, I would break them all out.

[Archive]

Posted By: leon

I have both graded and ungraded in my collection. Why can't we like both? I was looking at a scan of my E92 Dockman Lajoie yesterday. This thing is a real beauty and I have no intention of getting it graded. I like to smell, caress, and ogle my raw cards. That can't be done when encased. That being said I have had a third party grader save me from making a few mistakes on cards I was buying. One of those being a 5 figure card that was recolored and I didn't catch it upon inspection. I like to have my valuable ones looked at by another source just to make sure I didn''t miss something. As to the original question, I am sure there are many high grade cards still not in holders, T206 as well as others.....Personally, I think very high grade cards are a mixed bag.....but to each their own...best regards


this one isn't high grade but it reeks of originality

[Archive]

Posted By: Scott Levy

The decision has been made -- the raw set wins! I will be selling off all graded cards EXCEPT for the green Cobb and the Demmitt St. Louis.

Please visit BST section for details.

[Archive]

Posted By: Dave Hornish

So Scott, can we get some eye candy on the Green Cobb and Demmitt?

[Archive]

Posted By: ScottDango

if you simply want to "flip" through the pages of a binder and look at your cards, you can still do that with graded cards...UltraPro makes pages that hold graded cards perfectly....you may need more books to hold them all, but thats not that bad....