My fist possible venture into Tobacco cards. Opinions wanted !!

svtPONY95

This could be my first venture into Tobacco cards and I could really use some advice from some veteran collectors of prewar cards. I am interested in this Piedmont back T205 Cobb card but not sure if the price and the grade match up well , just don't enough experience in these cards yet and have some questions. Price is $450

1. Is this grade due to the paper loss on the back of the card because the front looks much nicer ?

2. As a whole would most prewar collectors rather have a low grade card with creases and missing parts but with a good back or a better front with paper loss or damage to back of card ?



Here are pictures of the card in question . Would love to hear your thoughts !

Guru

For me, I would much rather have a clean front than back...if I had a choice. Cobb's are expensive, at least I think they are. The coloring is nice on the front of that one. I personally $450 is not a bad price for that card.

Griffins

That exact card sold for $400 the day after Xmas. VCP has it listed as a best offer, so it's possible it sold for even less.
Price seems a bit high to me for that much back damage. Not all 1's are created equal and this one looks pretty good from the front, but I think the price should be a bit lower.

orioles93

I'd say that's pretty close to a good price. That card is worth right around $400-450. A worse looking 1 in my opinion, full of creases sold earlier this month for $550.

svtPONY95

It was listed for $479 and was won with a best offer of $400.

Guru

If you want to know more about Tobacco cards, this is a great place to start...

Old Cardboard

Mintacular

That is a ton of paper loss....As a new collector of T cards I would pass on that as your preferences might change and trying to resell it could be difficult as the back is a "non-starter" for many...Think you can get a low grade Cobb for near the same amount (maybe a bit more) but without such a serious condition issue. I think pre-war collectors take backs into account more seriously than post-war guys on average.

BTW, net54baseball.com is the best resource to learn more about pre-war cards including pricing

svtPONY95

Thanks for all the input so far , please chime in with any further suggestions or comments.

Griffins

It's just been listed on Net 54 for 450. or best offer.

svtPONY95

This was just offered to me for $425. Is this something that you would put into your collection or would you pass and wait for same grade with a whole back and significantly worse front for possibly more money ?

Opinions welcomed

Guru

It's probably just me, but at that grade the front is more important. I always take a beautiful front over a back. Especially if I don't plan on reselling it.