1909 T206 White Border Ty Cobb

Have to grade on a curve. Is it the best looking red portrait? No, but it’s a Tolstoi and you’re only going to see a couple in your lifetime if you’re lucky so this can’t be compared to common backs.

The black residue distracts me a bit too much.

Above average looks due to centering and registration. The smudging keeps it at the top of the C levels to my eye.

Thankfully the dark patches avoid his face, allowing the portrait to hold the eye. Plus it is well centered. Those good eye appeal traits keep it in the B levels for me.

Ugh the stains. Takes a beautiful card and drags it down, The size of the borders and the centering are good the image and the colors are effected to much by the staining over such a large area. And a Shame as the non effected areas look so good

Take away the surface issues and this card would hit the B+ level of eye appeal. The centering is B+ to me and the facial focus is what I look for in this card.

Centering is great but the staining on the surface hurts this one.