Monster aficionados, which 5 cards from the set do you find most visually appealing?

[the 'stache]

Picking 5 cards out of a set of 524 is no easy task, I realize. But I would like to know which cards from the T206 set our collectors find the most striking.

Please include pictures, and give credit for any images you do not own.

I'll start the ball rolling. I will say it was quite difficult to narrow down my favorites to only five. As a rule, I prefer portrait cards most of all. But I certainly enjoy all the others. As a group, I love the way these five look together:


(pictures courtesy of t206resource.com)

My favorite five right now (which could change tomorrow):
1. Walter Johnson portrait
2. Ty Cobb bat off shoulder
3. Christy Mathewson dark cap
4. Larry Doyle with bat
5. Willie Keeler portrait

What can I say about the Johnson portrait? If I had to pick my favorite baseball card of all-time, it might very well be this one. A great picture and color scheme. You could frame this card, and put it in the Louvre, and it wouldn't look at all out of place. It could pass as a work of art by one of the Dutch masters. The Cobb bat off shoulder shows the legendary batter's icy gaze and incredible concentration. The Matty dark cap is my favorite of all his white border issues. I would be hard pressed to pick which of his cards I would want first: the T206, his T205 gold border, or any of his T202s. I love the attention to detail shown in the Larry Doyle; it makes this a personal favorite. And the classic pose of the Keeler portrait makes this a must in my top 5.

I had a few others that were very hard to leave off the list: Tris Speaker, Dutch Revelle portrait, Zack Wheat, Mike Donlin with bat, Nap Rucker portrait, Nap Lajoie with bat, Eddie Collins portrait...

Let's see your choices, guys!

[wolf441]

I agree with 3 of the 5 on your list (Johnson, Cobb and Keeler). I'd add in Lajoie with bat and Harry Pattee horizontal (love the colors). Sorry, don't have pictures with me at work!

[3-2-count]

Bill these would be my choices. I'm a huge portrait fan. When color & registration are dead on there is nothing more beautiful! Honorable mention is the Ed Walsh portrait.

[CaramelMan]

i vote for the Johnson portrait...
that card has a 3 dimensional quality that is not found in most of the others...

that card simply POPS and Walter looks like he is in the same room with you...

added: the only thing missing from the doyle is the top part of the bat!!!!

[PolarBear]

Lajoie w/ bat - my favorite card in the set.
Cobb bat off
Anderson
Powers
Pelty horz

[Howe’s Hunter]

Johnson portrait – yeah, what everyone else has said

Cobb green – just the look in the eyes

Niles – always liked the semi-casual "yeah, I play ball for a living" look to his pose.

Konetchy, glove low – not certain, but isn't this the only pose in the set to show a base? You've got multiple poses with buildings in the background, some guys with balls in their hands, some guys with gloves on their hands, several with bats, but only one with a bag that it is his job to defend.

AND TWO MINUTES LATER...

I've already decided to add another:

Dougherty portrait – for me, the purple background really works on this one. Of those I've listed, this is the only one I own, thanks to Paul (T206 Collector). Thanks again, Paul, one of my favs.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

JDougherty portrait – for me, the purple background really works on this one. Of those I've listed, this is the only one I own, thanks to Paul (T206 Collector). Thanks again, Paul, one of my favs.

You're welcome, and I couldn't agree more!

[Sean]

1- Cobb Bat Off Shoulder
2- Mathewson Black Cap
3- Chase White Cap
4- Donlin Fielding
5- Mike Mitchell

scan0002.jpg

[wonkaticket]

For me like Tony I love the portraits, and I also like a lot of the action shots I have about 10 of each that I like. I’ll post my favorite action shots later. But the top 5 favorite portraits I own are these. I think the Wagner is one of the best looking cards in the set for the record too bad it’s so expensive easily his best card IMO.



Great cards everyone!

[Mark]

To my mind, t206 is the National Portrait Gallery of baseball card sets. Among my favorites:

[Cardboard Junkie]

Cobb/Green
Johnson/ portrait
3 fingers/ portrait
Speaker
Dougherty

[honus94566]

Johnson Portrait
Cobb Red
Matty Black Cap
Cobb Bat Off
Wagner

[atx840]

Great cards guys..most of my favourites have been shown.

[xcgrammer]

Cobb Red
Wagner
Ed Walsh
Nap Lajoie Portrait
Walter Johnson Portrait

Boom.

[brob28]

Looks like most of us have similar taste. Mine in no particular order:

Walsh Port. - love the green background really makes the image pop
Johnson Port. - probably my favorite, incredible image
Lajoie w/bat - all the qualities of a portrait and more
Matty w/dark cap - great pose & background color, this one really pops with
good registration
Cobb -Red Port. - It's Cobb, his intensity seems to be captured in his portrait -

There are at least 5-10 more that could easily hit this list for me, but Mr. Bill has limited the fun to 5!

[Kawika]

Great thread idea.
My favorites:

[brob28]

The McDonald is by far the best, I can't believe I forgot about it!

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by wolf441

I agree with 3 of the 5 on your list (Johnson, Cobb and Keeler). I'd add in Lajoie with bat and Harry Pattee horizontal (love the colors). Sorry, don't have pictures with me at work!

Steve, it was really hard for me to cut the Lajoie off my final 5. And the Pattee is certainly one of my favorites of the horizontally oriented cards.

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

Bill these would be my choices. I'm a huge portrait fan. When color & registration are dead on there is nothing more beautiful! Honorable mention is the Ed Walsh portrait.

Tony, all great selections. I can't believe how beautiful that Johnson is. I really like the Joss, too. His portrait is one I want to add.

Originally Posted by CaramelMan

i vote for the Johnson portrait...
that card has a 3 dimensional quality that is not found in most of the others...

that card simply POPS and Walter looks like he is in the same room with you...

added: the only thing missing from the doyle is the top part of the bat!!!!

Scott, it really does. Perfect marriage of picture and color. It stands out among all the portraits to me.

Originally Posted by PolarBear

Lajoie w/ bat - my favorite card in the set.
Cobb bat off
Anderson
Powers
Pelty horz

Good choices, Don.

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

Johnson portrait – yeah, what everyone else has said

Cobb green – just the look in the eyes

Niles – always liked the semi-casual "yeah, I play ball for a living" look to his pose.

Konetchy, glove low – not certain, but isn't this the only pose in the set to show a base? You've got multiple poses with buildings in the background, some guys with balls in their hands, some guys with gloves on their hands, several with bats, but only one with a bag that it is his job to defend.

AND TWO MINUTES LATER...

I've already decided to add another:

Dougherty portrait – for me, the purple background really works on this one. Of those I've listed, this is the only one I own, thanks to Paul (T206 Collector). Thanks again, Paul, one of my favs.

Ed, I like the Cobb green, but I just couldn't select two from the same player. Just too many others I like.

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Paul, I first saw the Lobert on Ebay last night. That's a really nice example you have. I do like it. Hell, I like all of them.

Originally Posted by Sean

1- Cobb Bat Off Shoulder
2- Mathewson Black Cap
3- Chase White Cap
4- Donlin Fielding
5- Mike Mitchell

Sean, I like all three of Donlin's cards, and considered the Donlin with bat.

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

For me like Tony I love the portraits, and I also like a lot of the action shots I have about 10 of each that I like. I’ll post my favorite action shots later. But the top 5 favorite portraits I own are these. I think the Wagner is one of the best looking cards in the set for the record too bad it’s so expensive easily his best card IMO.



Great cards everyone!

John, every time I see something from your collection, I am in awe. If you ever open a museum, and need a curator, please keep me in mind. I'd work for free just to be able to see your cards.

Originally Posted by Mark

To my mind, t206 is the National Portrait Gallery of baseball card sets.

Absolutely! I'd love to see the Hall of Fame commission an artist to do a T206 port for every member, and release them as a set.

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Cobb/Green
Johnson/ portrait
3 fingers/ portrait
Speaker
Dougherty

Great choices, Dave. I forgot about the Three Fingers Brown port. That's a good one, too.

Originally Posted by honus94566

Johnson Portrait
Cobb Red
Matty Black Cap
Cobb Bat Off
Wagner

Five great selections, Dave. It wasn't easy for me to exclude the Wagner, being such an iconic card.

Originally Posted by atx840

Great cards guys..most of my favourites have been shown.

Chris, I like both Chase portraits, but for some reason, I think I prefer the pink background. It gives the card a warmth. But I will definitely add the blue one day.

Chase fascinates me as a player and as an individual. I've been reading about him on the Hal Chase Place. It seems he's all been forgotten today by the mainstream media.

[Howe’s Hunter]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

John, every time I see something from your collection, I am in awe. If you ever open a museum, and need a curator, please keep me in mind. I'd work for free just to be able to see your cards.

Strange as it sounds, I might even pay to be named curator of John's museum. Every card I've seen from your collection is breath-taking, and I'm sure I haven't seem them all.

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Great thread idea.
My favorites:

Merkle Portrait is my favorite portrait in the set, but that isn't it lol

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by xcgrammer

Cobb Red
Wagner
Ed Walsh
Nap Lajoie Portrait
Walter Johnson Portrait

Boom.

Great 5, Jason. I can't believe I forgot the Walsh port. Such a great card.

Originally Posted by brob28

Looks like most of us have similar taste. Mine in no particular order:

Walsh Port. - love the green background really makes the image pop
Johnson Port. - probably my favorite, incredible image
Lajoie w/bat - all the qualities of a portrait and more
Matty w/dark cap - great pose & background color, this one really pops with
good registration
Cobb -Red Port. - It's Cobb, his intensity seems to be captured in his portrait -

There are at least 5-10 more that could easily hit this list for me, but Mr. Bill has limited the fun to 5!

Sorry, Bill, I couldn't make it easy. If you want to post a few more, feel free. I guess there's no harm in going beyond 5. If everybody else wants to add some more, oh darn, I guess we'll just have to rough it. I know John is going to post some more of his action shots.

Originally Posted by Kawika

Great thread idea.
My favorites:

Nice, David! The wonders of Photoshop, lol.

Originally Posted by brob28

The McDonald is by far the best, I can't believe I forgot about it!

I'd wager it's even more rare than the Honus.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

Strange as it sounds, I might even pay to be named curator of John's museum. Every card I've seen from your collection is breath-taking, and I'm sure I haven't seem them all.

John's collection is stored underground somewhere in Colorado. I imagine it's in the same place the President keeps his nuclear bunker..only deeper. But I understand what you're saying. I don't know how I could make it through his entire collection in one viewing. Maybe I can get a 2 day pass.

Great cards, everybody. Please keep them coming!

[DeanH3]

Waaayyy too tough to just pick 5. I'm having a heck of a time narrowing it down. These are definitely high on my list.



I would also include the Lajoie Port but I don't have that one yet!

Honorable mention would be Milan, Herzog, Hofman and Matty dark cap. I pulled the 3 images below from ebay. They are not mine.

[wonkaticket]

Thanks for the kind words guys. Sadly if you guys only knew how many great collections there are out there you would trade your 2-day passes to see my stuff in a second to see others. Many of those collections/collectors are right here I just wish they showed more stuff because there is some super stuff out there.

Great thread BTW.

My favorite "batting" cards minus Danny Murphy.

[slipk1068]

5) Nap Rucker
4) Fred Merkle

My 2 favorite portraits in the set. Couldn't pick a top 5 without including a couple portraits. I would include Honus, but I don't own 1 of them

3) Bugs Raymond

Dummy Taylor could be number 3, but I don't own him either

2) Hughie Jennings (Both hands showing)

1) Joe Tinker (Bat on shoulder)

I can't believe my top 2 didn't make anyone's list so far.

I sold my Jennings about 10 years ago, so I posted the other 2 cards (Hope to own 1 again soon). If someone has that card of Hughie doing his EEEYAHHHH battle cry, please post it. That is my second favorite.

and Tinker, This card is a work of art. Hands down IMO the most beautiful card in a set that is LOADED with beautiful cards.

[GregMitch34]

As I've said in past, in my view, too many people are influenced by the fame of the player not necessarily the beauty of the card--yes, most of the HOFer cards are especially nice but there are many non-HOFers (some obscure) just as nice but they get picked much less often. Really, if the WaJo portrait was Harry Krause would it still get the most votes? Etc.

[judsonhamlin]

I think that I my favorite portraits are Lobert, Dougherty and Donovan while Pattee and Conroy (batting) are excellent action shots, with honorable mentions to the Konetchy (fielding low) and Merkle (throwing).

[slipk1068]

You're right John. Those batting poses are beautiful. I still like Tinker Bat on shoulder best. Awesome detail gripping the bat with his glove in his back pocket.

Also, you have the most awesome collection I have ever seen.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

Honorable mention would be Milan, Herzog, Hofman and Matty dark cap.

Originally Posted by slipk1068

5) Nap Rucker
4) Fred Merkle

My 2 favorite portraits in the set. Couldn't pick a top 5 without including a couple portraits.

Dean and Slip, it's nice to see a few I actually own included in your favorites, or honorable mentions. Here are my humble additions to the discussion:

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

Thanks for the kind words guys. Sadly if you guys only knew how many great collections there are out there you would trade your 2-day passes to see my stuff in a second to see others. Many of those collections/collectors are right here I just wish they showed more stuff because there is some super stuff out there.

Great thread BTW.

Thank you, John.

Oh, and I'd happily buy other admission tickets to see their collections, but there's no way I'd trade in my 2 day pass to see yours. Each collection is a little different, and equally compelling. I (hopefully, knock on wood) have many years ahead of me, so there's enough time to see all the great collections, yours included.

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

As I've said in past, in my view, too many people are influenced by the fame of the player not necessarily the beauty of the card--yes, most of the HOFer cards are especially nice but there are many non-HOFers (some obscure) just as nice but they get picked much less often. Really, if the WaJo portrait was Harry Krause would it still get the most votes? Etc.

This is a fair question, Greg. I made a concerted effort to look through all the cards, and pick some that had appeal beyond their name recognition. Larry Doyle made my final 5; certainly a great player in his day, but I don't know if he's famous.

As for the Johnson, if he weren't a Hall of Famer, I'd still select it. The card itself is very aesthetically pleasing.

[slipk1068]

Originally Posted by GregMitch34

As I've said in past, in my view, too many people are influenced by the fame of the player not necessarily the beauty of the card--yes, most of the HOFer cards are especially nice but there are many non-HOFers (some obscure) just as nice but they get picked much less often. Really, if the WaJo portrait was Harry Krause would it still get the most votes? Etc.

Hey Greg,

Nap Rucker, Fred Merkle, Luther Taylor, and Bugs Raymond are on my list. While these names are moderately known to baseball fans, they are not HOFer's and hardly household names

[wonkaticket]

Thanks Slip, Tinker Bat is killer I do love that card the glove in the back pocket is a very nice touch.

Cheers,

John

[xcgrammer]

Speaking of the Johnson, Bill have you been able to get one yet?

[tennisguy]

Great cards shown! My top five common portraits.

1. Sherry Magee
2. Tommy Leach
3. Hans Lobert
4. Ginger Beaumont
5. Mickey Doolan

[ZenPop]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Great thread idea.
My favorites:

Great choice on the Merkle... That one should be hanging in a gallery at The Louvre

[RCMcKenzie]

Here are 5 at random, as I happened to already have a scan that had 5 cards in it. The artwork is really good, and I think that is why the set is so popular. It's too bad more is not known about the artists who made them. As many have said, the Cleveland cards are really well done.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by xcgrammer

Speaking of the Johnson, Bill have you been able to get one yet?

I wasn't sure if you were speaking to me or Bill Roberts, Jason, but as of yet I have not acquired my Johnson portrait.

I'll be looking to see what REA is offering in it's fall auction, as I want to establish a good business relationship with them. If they don't have one for me to bid on, I'll start looking for it here on the BST. I'm wanting to add a SGC 40/PSA 3 with good eye appeal, Piedmont or Sweet Cap back more than likely.

That will be my first T206 Hall of Famer, and I'm super excited!

Originally Posted by ZenPop

Great choice on the Merkle... That one should be hanging in a gallery at The Louvre

Good evening, John. I think they should dedicate a wing to pre-war baseball cards, at least as a temporary exhibit. Between the T206s, the Turkey Reds, the Hassan Triple Folders, etc, they could put on one hell of a show.

[quinnsryche]

Walter Johnson Portrait (the BEST card of all time, any era)
Honus Wagner (a great looking card, even if it was worthless)
Roy Ellam (great pose)
Billy Sullivan (love the dark blue uniform against the orange background)
Bill Bergen (always loved the sweater with the dinner plate buttons)

[brob28]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

I wasn't sure if you were speaking to me or Bill Roberts, Jason, but as of yet I have not acquired my Johnson portrait.

I haven't pick one up yet either but I'm definitely on the prowl.

[brob28]

Originally Posted by slipk1068

5) Nap Rucker
4) Fred Merkle

My 2 favorite portraits in the set. Couldn't pick a top 5 without including a couple portraits. I would include Honus, but I don't own 1 of them

3) Bugs Raymond

Dummy Taylor could be number 3, but I don't own him either

2) Hughie Jennings (Both hands showing)

1) Joe Tinker (Bat on shoulder)

I can't believe my top 2 didn't make anyone's list so far.

I sold my Jennings about 10 years ago, so I put the posted the other 2 cards (Hope to own 1 again soon). If someone has that card of Hughie doing his EEEYAHHHH battle cry, please post it. That is my second favorite.

and Tinker, This card is a work of art. Hands down IMO the most beautiful card in a set that is LOADED with beautiful cards.

Here ya go Slip! This one is one of my favorites. I love the sunset! Sorry for the blurry scan.

[slipk1068]

Thanks Bill,

BEAUTY even if the scan is somewhat blurry.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by brob28

I haven't pick one up yet either but I'm definitely on the prowl.

Maybe we'll both knock them off at the same time.

Originally Posted by brob28

Here ya go Slip! This one is one of my favorites. I love the sunset! Sorry for the blurry scan.

Whenever I get a T206 card in, I look just like Hughie Jennings: hands in the air, Cheshire cat-like smile, and a "Ee-Yah hoo" on my lips. The two non-portrait cards of his are two of my favorites in the entire set. How can a collector look at one of them and not smile? That's what collecting is all about, isn't it? Revisiting some of the fun we had as kids. The cards might be more expensive, but the feeling is the same.

[RCMcKenzie]

B-L has 2 T206 Walter Johnson ports up right now. The BVG 1 looks like a great deal to me. Nice front, some back damage. Bill Brewers, if you buy a single lot Walter Johnson card from REA, I will be the first one to call you a whale.

Forgot to add that McGraw finger in the air is another classic card. No scan included.

[wolf441]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Great thread idea.
My favorites:

Great cards David....and if you just changed your hat and added a goatee, you could be Walter White/Heisenberg from "Breaking Bad"!!