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.
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| 1909-1911 American Tobacco Company (T206) Christy Mathewson |
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!
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