Pages

▼

Friday, January 11, 2019

OCAAT: T206 Christy Mathewson

What is "OCAAT?"  Isn't it obvious?  It means one card at a time.  It's just me blogging about some of the cards in my collection, one card at a time. 

When I started acquiring T206 cards a couple years ago, I didn't think I'd really end up with any of the big names.  I've posted about some T206 acquisitions on this blog, including the two cards I'd ever spent the money on.  I never really thought I'd pick up any of the big name Hall-of-Famers in the set, until I saw this beautiful Christy Mathewson at a card show back in the fall. 

1909-1911 American Tobacco Company (T206) Christy Mathewson
As soon as I saw the price on it, I was intrigued.  I normally wouldn't buy a card of this value ungraded (because I'm not confident in spotting fakes), but I trusted the seller.  I've bought more of my T206 cards off the seller (Roger) than anyone else and knew that I was going to get a discount off the sticker price.  I messaged two of my trusted T206 guys asking what a copy of the card, in that condition would go for.  Since I never had thoughts of picking up this card, I hadn't done any research.  Both of my sources confirmed what I thought, Roger was either at or (GASP!) slightly below going market rate. 

I decided on four additional T206s and asked him what he wanted for them.  It was EXACTLY the number I had in my head and I pulled the trigger!  The way I calculate my math when I buy a lot of cards, I paid at least $50 below going market rate. 

There are always those people that will look at it and point out all the imperfections.  Does it have rounded corners?  Sure it does.  Any T206 I buy likely will.  The paper loss automatically makes this a "1" if graded.  If not for that paper loss, I wouldn't have this card right now. 

There are a couple of phrases you'll hear often with vintage collectors and they both apply to this card.

  • "Eye appeal" - Though it would be graded a "1," the color on this copy is solid.  It looks better than many others that would get the same grade, despite the paper loss.  Also, the paper loss is in a place that doesn't take away from the eye appeal.  
  • "Buy the card, not the holder" - It's somewhat related to the above bullet point.  Don't buy a card because of the grade, but it for the card itself.  Not all cards in a grade are equal.  Buy what you like.  Also, there's always the possibility that the card wasn't given a grade that many others think it should receive.  
You know what?  This card looks really nice in the binder with all my other ungraded T206s!  






If you shop online and haven't signed up and used ebates yet, you're missing out on free money.  There are times you can use it and get cash back on eBay purchases.  Between referrals and cash back, I've gotten over $300 in two years.  FREE CARDS!  I promise you it's legit and easy to use. 
at

10 comments:

  1. shoeboxlegendsJanuary 11, 2019 at 5:52 PM

    W-H-O-A! What an absolute beauty Kin!

    I couldn't agree more with the "buy the card, not the holder" mantra. A couple of my big pick-ups from last year that I've yet to show on the blog are "low-grade" cards that I picked up just because I wanted assurance they're legit. In my opinion they look much nicer than many examples I've seen of the same cards in much higher grades. In the end that's what matters, not what label a grading company decided to affix to it. Any way you slice it, that Mathewson is the type of card that's a cornerstone to a collection. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KinJanuary 11, 2019 at 6:44 PM

      Absolutely! I also think the "buy the card, not the holder" is something that resonates more with those of us that are "collectors," and aren't worried about trying to make a profit on everything.

      Delete
  2. David SwitzerJanuary 11, 2019 at 6:26 PM

    What a beautiful card. If a card like that is a 1 by PSA standards as you say, I need to do some PSA1 shopping, because I would be proud to have a card like that in my collection!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KinJanuary 11, 2019 at 6:45 PM

      I believe I read somewhere that paper loss usually deems a card a PSA 1 (or SGC 10). I have a T206 I will show sometime down the road that is beautiful, but has the smallest pinhole. That made it an SGC10. I think it's a better card than many graded higher than it.

      Delete
  3. MarcJanuary 11, 2019 at 6:31 PM

    I'm not really a baseball guy but, the card is utterly fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KinJanuary 11, 2019 at 6:46 PM

      Definitely understand...even in things I'm not too interested in, I still have an appreciation for beautiful vintage cards.

      Delete
  4. P-town TomJanuary 12, 2019 at 6:33 AM

    The color is stunning on that card. Honestly, I expect faded colors, rounded corners, paper loss, a water mark or stain, a crease or small tear, and maybe a pin hole on anything over 60 years old.
    All things considered... You Found a Gem of a Mathewson!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KinJanuary 12, 2019 at 5:23 PM

      I truly expect all of that as well, especially in my price range. I'm happy that others are more focused on the higher "graded" ones because it leaves ones like this for me!

      Delete
  5. FujiJanuary 12, 2019 at 8:38 AM

    Wowza. A T206 of one of the first five? Congratulations on adding this to your collection. That's amazing and something most of us will never have the opportunity to do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KinJanuary 12, 2019 at 5:25 PM

      Surprisingly, it was more affordable than many might think. I've done a lot of number crunching in my head and most of the cards aren't out of the price range, if I just want to pass on smaller buys and allocate my hobby funds differently.

      Delete