OCAAT: T206 Tris Speaker

If you liked yesterday's OCAAT, I think you'll like this one as well.  Originally this was going to be the first OCAAT post, but I added yesterday's card to my collection first and decided to post it first. 

I picked this T206 Tris Speaker up from a Facebook group in the fall.  By happenstance I was on my laptop, saw the notification and quickly pulled the trigger.  I actually passed on it initially but thought about 15-20 seconds on it and changed my mind.  I'm so happy that I did. 

1909-1911 American Tobacco Company (T206) Tris Speaker

After I claimed it, there were multiple comments on the card.  The consensus in the room was that I got it for a steal of a price.  Since I made this decision without consulting any of my experts, that was reassuring. 

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, you buy the card and not the holder.  Fellow group members commented about the awesome color of the card and how it might be the best looking PSA 1 you'll ever see. 

LINK:  See other "One Card At a Time" posts

Obviously the color is so great because this was in a scrapbook for years and likely decades.  You can see the indicators - staining on the front corners and the paper loss on the back.  That paper loss "doomed" this card to be graded a "1," but it also is the only reason I was able to get this card at the price I did. 

The amount I paid for it is the second most I've ever spent on an individual card.  Given the option, I'd do it again. 

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. 

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. 

T206 George Gibson -or- Facebook Fun

A couple of weeks ago I posted about a Net54 pickup and mentioned that there were a couple more to come.  My plan was to post them in the nest few days, but we all know what can happen to plans.  Today's post is just one card.  I picked it up a couple of days after I joined a tobacco card page on Facebook.  

I still consider myself new to T206s and since I don't have unlimited funds, I can't just buy anything that I come across.  Right now I look for very cheap beaters, good deals on very clean cards or other cards that I have a particular motivation to pick up.  

This card falls into the last group.  I picked it up because it's George Gibson and I love Richard's dedication to him.  Richard and I send messages back and forth on Net54 (though I'm HORRIBLE about replying), I enjoy seeing his collection and I love reading his blog, Moon Gibson.  

1909-11 The American Tobacco Company T206 White Border #NNO George Gibson 

According to the book "THE T206 COLLECTION The Players & Their Stories," Gibson was a player and manager for 21 years.  His bat was average, but he made his name defensively, developing young pitchers and for playing.  In 1909 he broke the record for consecutive games at 112 and the streak didn't end until 140 games.  He was the first baseball player elected into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and later was elected into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.  

Gibson is one of the tougher commons, per T206 Insider.  This is one that I've wanted for a few months, but haven't searched out.  This was the first one I'd seen come along (without searching). so the scarcity ranking of 86 makes sense to me.  

My monster number now stands at 28 (of 524).  On T206Insider, my set is now at 12.1, good for 48th.  You can find a gallery of what I have on my Collector Focus page.

If you'd like to learn more about the T206 set, there are plenty of resources.  A very popular one is Scot Reader's "Inside T206."  Others I like are Net 54 and T206 Insider (links above to both), as well as the blog on That T206 Life.

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I've decided to try selling on Sports Card Direct again.  Hopefully you'll take a look at my page and see if there's anything you're interested in.  I can always sell off the site and ship in a PWE if you're only looking for a card or two and don't want to pay $3 shipping.

If you shop online and haven't signed up and used ebates yet, you're missing out.  I also use it on eBay to get money back from purchases there.  Between referrals and cash back, I've gotten over $150 in a year.  FREE CARDS!  I have another $40+ going into my Paypal account in the next couple weeks.

If you're on Twitter, please give me a follow.  You can also find me on Trading Card Database.  I love trading cards, when it makes sense.  Happy collecting!