I know that there are a lot of cards in the set, but they seem to be much more rare than other large sets like T206 and N172. Maybe I am wrong about that, but I buy most of my cards in low grade off ebay, and I don't see nearly as many T210s as the other issues. I've read that because of the size of the set, they aren't widely collected. So where are they?

you are correct,the t210 is a regional issue (southeast distribution)and they are scarce. the t206 issue was widely popular (and a national issue), they were printed in huge quantities compared to most t card issues.

I think it is true that 640 cards makes the red border Old Mill set less popular than the white border tobacco cards.

But that is merely part of it...

The black and white images aren't as popular as the color drawings on the white border tobacco cards. Although that seems somewhat shortsighted to me, since the B&W images actually have greater detail and quality than some of the color drawings in the white border tobacco card set.

The Old Mill red border cards depict minor league players. Some made it to the majors, most didn't. The players are generally less well known than those of the white border tobacco card set. That makes them less popular.

T206s are readily available. Especially by today's standards. It just takes money and time. 40 years ago, before eBay and the internet, it took a bit of hunting, perseverance, and fortune to find the last few T206s. T210s are considerably less numerous. Anyone seriously trying to complete all 640 has quite a task. It isn't just something that you can pour money on and solve. On any given day someone with enough money has a decent chance of convincing at least one T206 Wagner owner to part with The Card. That isn't quite so true with T210 Joe Jacksons, and to a lesser extent T210 Stengel's... I'm satisfied there are fewer Jackson cards and Stengel cards out there than there are T206 Wagners. Completing all 8 series of T210s is seldom done. Series 1 and 2 can be completed, and 3 if someone stays after them for about 3 or 4 years. Series 4 and 5 are difficult. I think series 7 is next in difficulty. Then series 6, finally series 8. Kids collected these, and I think once a player fizzled the chances of his card being retained diminished.

So I don't think the size of the set is why you see fewer T210s for sale... I think it is because fewer T210s survived to today, significantly fewer.

I'm earnestly desirous of two T210 series 6 cards, Angermeier fielding, and Whitaker. And I'll pay more than what's listed in the Standard Catalog to get them.

Robert -

I collect Series 8 and 6 to a lesser degree and have been doing so for about 5 years. I have been vigorous in my Series 8 pursuit and they just seldom come around. Series 8 are definitely rare. (Pop reports, Raw examples are in the single digit examples on many players) To give you a small sampling... I have been trying to complete all the Nashville players for 5 years. There are only 17 Nashville players in the Series 8. I have been very active in just about every Regional, National Auction, Ebay searches, trades with board members, and still have not completed my quest of 17 cards. I have hustled pretty hard and have not left too many stones unturned, but still I am short. (1 card)

Like Frank's quest for the 2 T210's he lacks, I am on a similar quest for 1 card. I have been on a 9 month dry run, but am hopeful #17 will show over the spring/summertime!

Do a search on T210's on this board and you will see some great information/opinions by other board members on difficulty,collecting,etc.


Stay Thirsty My Friend,

~ Jeremy ~

I have also collected this set for years.The wonderful thing is there are so many options. I started by completing the Frankfort team( Series 6 ) then moved on to other teams in the Blue Grass League. Sometimes large lots come up for auction which allows for a good start on a number of sets. I still continue to believe( hope) that teams sets are out there in small collections in the towns that had these teams and someday they will hit our market. My advice is to forget about completing the whole set or even a series and just enjoy putting together the teams that were the local hometown heroes since in many cases these players were from close to home.

the other T210 Jackson....

I'm also chasing a single team/town. For me it's Series 1, Columbia. Like others have stated, they are just rare enough to make it a challenge but not an impossibility.

Still, if a Joe Jackson falls out of the sky, I'll be ready.

As others have said, and shown, there are many ways to collect T210 short of the whole 8 series set. Personally, I like the series 3 ones that have orange borders....

Working on Series 1 (as Frank said, doable).
I like the fact that they are in less quantity than other tobacco sets. More fun in the search and more satisfying in the find. Also, as stated above, there are few "rules" in collecting this set: Choose a team, a reagon, a state, a series. It's also exciting, at least to me, that sometimes you not only get a card you need, but it is a card you never even seen before. fun, fun .........


.......... oh, and the "other" other Jackson:

Thanks for all the good info guys. When I first read about this series about a year ago, I found out that Houston (where I'm from) had a team. I was fascinated. I did some research and found out that they split the league championship with Dallas that year. But since that time, I've only seen one card from that team come up for sale. Maybe I should go look in grandpa's attic.