Will Christy Mathewson be the Next Hot T206 Hall of Famer?

In the last two or three years, we’ve seen some crazy price increases on a group of key T206 Hall of Famers.  Ty Cobb’s Green Background Portrait was the first to move, followed soon after by Cy Young’s Portrait.  Cobb’s other T206s began to see an increase as well.  I was a little slow to recognize the pattern, but when the Walter Johnson Portrait began to appreciate in value, it was hard to ignore.  There has also been a spike in the value of all three Nap Lajoie poses, as well as Tris Speaker.

So, who’s next?

I don’t think I’m going too far out on a limb by suggesting Christy Mathewson.  The three biggest stars in the T206 set (Cobb, Johnson and Young) have already seen an uptick in value, and I think most people would agree that Mathewson is the fourth biggest star.

Which pose?

One thing all these run-ups have in common in that one pose was the first to move.  For Cobb, the Green Portrait was essentially anointed as his most desirable card.  In my opinion, the Green Portrait isn’t any more beautiful than the Bat Off Shoulder or Red Portrait poses.  However, what it has going for it is relative scarcity.  There are far fewer Green Portraits in circulation than Bat Off Shoulder or Red Portraits.

It’s much easier to pick a favorite pose for Cy Young and Walter Johnson.  To me, Young’s Portrait is the clear standout among his three poses, and choosing the Johnson Portrait over the Hands at Chest is the biggest no-brainer of all time.

For Mathewson, I think it’s a pretty tough call.  His Dark Cap pose is arguably the best looking of the three, but the Portrait is also a beautiful card, and there are fewer Portraits out there.  Obviously the White Cap pose is also a great card.  However, in my opinion, the fact that it’s so visually similar to the Dark Cap makes it hard to imagine it as the next hot card.

I’m hedging a little, but I can see both the Dark Cap and Portrait getting hot in the coming months.  Of course there’s always the chance it never happens.  After all, it’s pretty obvious at this point that Mathewson is the last remaining huge star who hasn’t seen a price spike.  All things considered, I think betting on Mathewson to get hot is a pretty safe move.

2 comments

by Oldest
by Best by Newest by Oldest