The past few months have been incredible for us. Business is stronger than ever, as we have been buying large collections of sports cards consistently on a weekly basis. We've even hired more staff just to keep up with the increased workload. This past week, we were given the opportunity to acquire a collection that consisted of hundreds of T206 baseball cards, and we were very excited at the possibility. In the past, acquiring collections has been much easier as most sellers have been local and we were able to setup in-person meetings and make offers on the spot. Now, buying this T206 collection presented a few complications, as the seller lived in California and the collection had been in the family for over 100 years -- so there was an additional personal and emotional attachment. As expected, there was some initial apprehension about shipping a family heirloom worth thousands of dollars, 3000 miles across the country. Just Collect is one of the most reputable baseball card buyers in the industry, and worked with the owner to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.
“I am very grateful to Just Collect for treating me fairly and being thoroughly upfront and professional with my collection and our interaction. I was concerned about mailing my collection to them because of the risk of loss, but I was assured that they are fully insured and that the collection would be well taken care of. They have proven to be a very good and honest company.” -- Chris - CA
It was one of those collections that causes one to take a second look. One of those collections that comes along far too infrequently. One of those collections that creates a a buzz in the hobby. It’s a collection of over three hundred tobacco cards, loaded with stars and hall of famers. And to sweeten the deal, there was a card in the collection that no one’s ever seen before -- literally, no one. We’re very excited to share some of these examples from the collection with you. Let’s start with “the card”. The physical card itself is in pretty decent condition, but what makes it unique, is the way it was miscut. Usually, with a miscut, you’ll see a thin border on one side, or some sort of tilt. But, have you ever seen a miscut example where the bottom was on the top? Yes, you read that right. The bottom third of the card is actually the top of the card, consistent on both the front and back. Check this out:
During the production of these baseball cards 115 years ago, they obviously did not have the standards we have today, which is how this example was created. So, not only is this card extremely rare in the way it was manufactured, but it’s also Cy Young – you know, the Hall of Fame pitcher with 500+ career wins. This is truly a one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia. The rest of the collection is a must-see as well. It’s predominantly made up of Piedmont backs, but there were also a dozen or so Old Mills thrown into the mix. Also included were some desirable examples of Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Nap Lajoie, Roger Bresnahan, and Eddie Walsh, along with some nice Southern Leaguers. Seriously, how could you not love this set?
But that’s not all. What makes this story special, and sets it apart from the rest, was the mere reason the seller wanted to part ways with his family’s collection:
“With the money that I received from your purchase of the cards, we plan on giving a significant amount, if not all, to the poor through a ministry I started in 2003 called Mission One Million, which helps orphaned and abandoned children in the third world.” -- Chris - CA
We were fortunate enough to have acquired this collection, and to ultimately help a greater cause. We will be exhibiting the T206 Cy Young Miscut at this summer's national Convention in Cleveland, so if you're attending, please stop by our both and take a look at this incredible piece of history! In the coming weeks, we will proudly be offering each example through our eBay auctions. As always, we are looking to buy vintage cards and memorabilia, so if you or someone you know is ready to sell, give us a call! We offer free appraisals with absolutely no upfront fees or commitment.
