Sunday Spotlight: T-206 Rube Oldring, the Oldest Card I Own

Way back in the day, over ten years ago, at a card show at a local mall, I picked up a 1909-1911 T-206 Rube Oldring "fielding" card for ten dollars.  There was a merchant there selling common T-206 cards for around ten dollars each, and had I been smarter (and richer) at the time, I would have picked up a few more.

Regardless, I did manage to get one, although it is in pretty poor condition, nonetheless.

Here it is, Rube Oldring, T-206, the oldest card in my collection.

So for a card that is over 100 years old, I'd say the front is in pretty good shape. Of course the corners are rounded, and the bottom right corner has a significant crease. The color is still pretty sharp, and the name is entirely legible.  I also like that I managed to pick up a card from a Philadelphia player, considering my love for the Phillies today.  Rube played for the Philadelphia A's back then.

The back of the card, which is of the "Piedmont" variety, has some writing on it, although I cannot make out what it says. It looks like "5X" or something similar. I'm not sure. I think for this reason, the card probably wouldn't grade over a 1, or maybe a 1.5 or 2. Looking at auctions of PSA graded cards on eBay, I really have a hard time thinking it would grade over a 1.  I have thought about getting it graded, but I don't know if it is worth it. I am not sure I would ever want to sell it, as I kind of just like having it in my collection. But, to get it authenticated might not be a bad idea.  It's pretty amazing to see how far baseball cards have come over the years. Place this next to a game used card, or a die-cut parallel, or some sort of crazy insert, and it is really interesting. 

Rube's Wikipedia Entry

Reuben Henry "Rube" Oldring (May 30, 1884 - September 9, 1961), was a professional baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from 1905 to 1918. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Yankees.

Oldring started his professional baseball career in the Southern Association, in 1905. That October, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Athletics in the rule 5 draft. From 1907 to 1915, Oldring was a regular outfielder on the A's. He played in three World Series with them.

Oldring played in the minor leagues for several years after his major league career was over. In 1923, he hit .342 for Wilson of the Virginia League and also managed the team to the pennant.