COMPLETE!!! 1959 Topps...My Other Countdown to Completion.

[Big Six]

Everyone seems to be enjoying the progress I'm making on my 1954 Topps set so why not try and make some progress on another set I'm down to only a few cards left. Unlike the 1954s, I'm doing this set raw and will likely only purchase the Mantle and Gibson slabbed (why? I don't know...). I'm thinking most of the cards in my set would grade out as Ex-Mt to NM...if you have any of the ones I need below, feel free to send me a note...and thanks!

Here's who I still need...

Here's hoping I can make some progress on this one...again, if you have any of the above, let me know. My main focus is on centering if that helps...

[Big Six]

Stopped by Westchester today and aside from a free Manny Sanguillen autograph, grabbed four 59 Topps...the Boyer looks funky in the scan but it's a pretty pink in real life...

[rocuan]

I have these. Will send scans if interested, need your email address. Sell only.

30 Fox
163 Koufax
317 NL Hit Kings
543 Corsair Trio
559 Banks AS
563 Mays AS

[Big Six]

Just got in a really sharp Clemente thanks to a tip from a fellow Net54 member...much appreciated...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1959-topps/2626/478-roberto-clemente

I'm having a hard time understanding how this is a PSA 5...

[VinTX]

I'm having a hard time understanding how this is a PSA 5...

I'm with you there... :confused:

very nice lookin card!! awesome centering and the corners look sharp in the scans!

[Big Six]

Many thanks to Patricka for a smooth transaction...I'm very pleased to add these to my set...the Maris is especially sweet!

[Big Six]

Just got in a few more including a very solid Campanella Symbol of Courage...I can smell the finish line on this one...

[Big Six]

I'm down to the last 24 cards I need for my 1959 Topps Set. Overall condition of the set is about Ex-Mt to NM....with only a couple exceptions, the set is raw. I've spent a lot of time focusing on centering. Here is what I still need...if you have anything of interest, please let me know...and thanks!

Here's who I still need...

8 Phillies Team
10 Mickey Mantle
30 Nellie Fox
40 Warren Spahn
50 Willie Mays
80 Minnie Minoso
90 Bill Skowron
150 Stan Musial
317 N. L. Hitting Kings (Ashburn, Mays)
380 Hank Aaron
435 Frank Robinson
439 Brooks Robinson
515 Harmon Killebrew
525 Jim Coates
528 Pirates Team
543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star -- Ernie Banks
561 All Star -- Hank Aaron
562 All Star -- Al Kaline
563 All Star -- Willie Mays
564 All Star -- Mickey Mantle

[U240robert]

This is really nice.
I have a few sets I'm working on, '63 topps, '64 Topps
I should post a list it seems to be helpful

[Big Six]

This is really nice.
I have a few sets I'm working on, '63 topps, '64 Topps
I should post a list it seems to be helpful

Thanks! I would encourage you to do the same...there's some great guys on here and seems everyone is willing to help when possible. Good luck on those sets...

[mintacular]

59 is a GREAT set, might start one. Loaded with HOFers, color, vintage look, and pretty affordable. Just wanted to let you know there is a guy on SGC card forum named BBO and this set is the ONLY one he collects. Occasionally he sells extras just thought you might want to contact him. Not sure about his $'s but can't hurt to contact him. BTW-you have to consider '57 set that is the best of the 50s sets IMO

[Big Six]

59 is a GREAT set, might start one. Loaded with HOFers, color, vintage look, and pretty affordable. Just wanted to let you know there is a guy on SGC card forum named BBO and this set is the ONLY one he collects. Occasionally he sells extras just thought you might want to contact him. Not sure about his $'s but can't hurt to contact him. BTW-you have to consider '57 set that is the best of the 50s sets IMO

Hey Patrick...yeah...I've really enjoyed putting this one together...I'm on the verge of landing a Gibby, so I'm getting closer to done! Good luck with your set and enjoy. As for '57, I love that set and will likely try to put together a Dodgers team set...last year in Brooklyn! I'm not on the SGC forum, but will check it out...thanks for the lead...Matt

[jg8422]

Matt,

How has it been collecting the '54 topps set? It looks like a great set to put together. Lots of colorful and beautiful cards. I am thinking PSA 7 or better. Which I am sure will end up being all 7's! Is centering a major issue in the 54 set?

[rocuan]

PM sent.

[Big Six]

PM sent.

Got it...reply sent. Thanks!

[Big Six]

Matt,

How has it been collecting the '54 topps set? It looks like a great set to put together. Lots of colorful and beautiful cards. I am thinking PSA 7 or better. Which I am sure will end up being all 7's! Is centering a major issue in the 54 set?

I'm enjoying it...completely doable in 7...definitely some tough cards to find in high grade, though...plus I like that there is no mantle...was never a big fan and hate to pay a premium. It's a great set and one I recommend anyone to try...And yes, centering can be a pain...

[Big Six]

Thanks to BasherBoy for helping me knock off two rookies, including the big one...Bob Gibson. This has been an incredibly difficult card to find both decently centered and at a price I could stomach..I'm very happy with this one...the third card is a raw Mazeroski All Star...sorry no image.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1959-topps/2887/509-norm-cashhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1959-topps/2888/514-bob-gibson

[campyfan39]

I have really enjoyed looking at your set and seeing the progress. I love 59's. The first cards my dad ever bought as an adult (after his collection was tossed) was 1959 Skowron and Ryne Duren.

As to the person who asked about 54's. That it not a hard set and centering is not too much of an issue. The set, much like 55 is just missing SO many stars that it is not that exciting to put together IMO.

[BasherBoy]

Glad they went to a good home Matt!

[Big Six]

Compliments of the latest Sterling Sports Auction...really nice experience as this was the first time I've participated and won in a non-eBay auction environment...good stuff!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1959-topps/2929/150-stan-musial

[Big Six]

Picked up a bunch of 1956 Topps commons and these three for my 1959 Topps set...

With that pickup, here's who I still need...

10 Mickey Mantle
40 Warren Spahn - pending
50 Willie Mays
317 N. L. Hitting Kings (Ashburn, Mays)
380 Hank Aaron
515 Harmon Killebrew
525 Jim Coates
528 Pirates Team
543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star -- Ernie Banks
561 All Star -- Hank Aaron
562 All Star -- Al Kaline
563 All Star -- Willie Mays
564 All Star -- Mickey Mantle

If you have any of the above, please let me know. I'm looking for ExMt quality and nicely centered. I will likely only get the Mantle, Mantle AS, Mays and Aaron graded, but willing to look at what anyone has. Thanks in advance...looking forward to finishing this one!

[David W]

I always liked the color contrast and picture of the 59 F Robinson

[ALR-bishop]

Since this was the first Topps set I finished it is one of my favorites. Over the years I have added the following items to my set ;

The traded/option variations

The 3 Spahn DOB variations

The Ramos upper border irregularity ( there has been a high priced 8 on ebay for some time...mine is ungraded)...recurring defect

181 Porterfield with an errant green line on the back along the listed years...recurring defect

313 House... with botched T on back in Complete...recurring defect

407 Drabowski...with white front border at top extending into pink... (similar to 58 Douglas )...written up in SCD

The 3 Haywood Sullivans

Elect Your Favorite Rookie paper pack insert...this "ballot" along with others distributed to Boy's Clubs, Boy Scouts and YMCAs...and published in The Sporting News... resulted in the 1960 Topps Sporting News Rookie cards ( not sure how the 1959 players were selected, but in 1960 packs there was another paper insert that led to the 1961 cards. For 1961 the cards changed from the separate designs in 59 and 60 to the regular card with the trophies on them)

Free Felt Pennant paper pack insert ( I don't have but would like to get one of the 15 " felt pennants)

An unopened 5 cent and 1 cent wax pack, and a cello pack

The First Annual Topps Rookie Banquet paper program from 10-29-59 in which the upcoming 1960 Topps Rookie selections were highlighted. Winners got $ 125 and free trip to NY for the banquet, and a trophy...and also a free trip to appear on Mel Allen's NBC World Series Special on 9-29.

On the last page of the program is a picture of a kid with a sideways baseball cap with a caption that reads " I just traded Stan Musial for Mickey Mantle" and the following legend :

"Remember when you managed a team of baseball cards held together by a repaired rubber-band ? Remember those big trades you pulled off ? Boys haven't changed very much-and it still happens every spring. Major League ballplayers still move from one rubber-band held stack to another. A wad of bazooka gum and a stack of baseball cards are part of the heritage of American boyhood--envy of the world. Want to make a boy happy ? Give him a nickel and send him to the store today"

[Big Six]

With recent pickups of Spahn and the Phillies team card, I'm down to the final 13 cards needed for my 1959 Topps set! If you have any of the ones below nicely centered in Ex-ExMt shape (or PSA 5ish), please let me know...and thanks!

10 Mickey Mantle (likely only interested in slabbed)
50 Willie Mays
317 N. L. Hitting Kings (Ashburn, Mays)
380 Hank Aaron
515 Harmon Killebrew
525 Jim Coates
528 Pirates Team
543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star -- Ernie Banks
561 All Star -- Hank Aaron
562 All Star -- Al Kaline
563 All Star -- Willie Mays
564 All Star -- Mickey Mantle

[sox1903wschamp]

Good luck finishing up! #525 Coates was the last one I needed for my set and I see it is your last common player needed.

To Al's point above, some of the other items are fun to collect past the basic set. I picked this up along with the 16 felts which are displayed with my set.

[Big Six]

With all of the 2012 goal threads going on, I'm going to jump in the fray and try to wrap up my 1959 Topps set...here's what I need.

10 Mickey Mantle (leaning towards getting graded only on this one)
50 Willie Mays
380 Hank Aaron
515 Harmon Killebrew
528 Pirates Team
543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star -- Ernie Banks
561 All Star -- Hank Aaron
562 All Star -- Al Kaline
563 All Star -- Willie Mays
564 All Star -- Mickey Mantle

I'm looking for clean Ex-Mt or better with nice centering and decent corners. I don't have a preference for raw versus graded so let me know what you have. This will be the first of four 1950's sets I hope to complete (the others are a '51 Bowman and '54 and '56 Topps). Thanks in advance for any help you can offer...Matt

[Big Six]

Just picked up #50, Willie Mays...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1959-topps/3807/050-willie-mays

That leaves me down to the following:

10 Mickey Mantle (leaning towards getting graded only on this one)
380 Hank Aaron
515 Harmon Killebrew
528 Pirates Team
543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star -- Ernie Banks
561 All Star -- Hank Aaron
562 All Star -- Al Kaline
563 All Star -- Willie Mays
564 All Star -- Mickey Mantle

I'm looking for clean Ex-Mt or better with nice centering and decent corners. I don't have a preference for raw versus graded so let me know what you have. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer...Matt

[ALR-bishop]

I just picked up the 3d Haywood Sullivan variation...no circle around copyright and no period after A in USA. It was the toughest of the 3 for me. It is really only a print defect but is now listed in SCD and , I think, the Registry ( I may be wrong about the latter)

[Volod]

Since this was the first Topps set I finished it is one of my favorites. Over the years I have added the following items to my set ;

....last page of the program is a picture of a kid with a sideways baseball cap with a caption that reads " I just traded Stan Musial for Mickey Mantle" and the following legend :

"Remember when you managed a team of baseball cards held together by a repaired rubber-band ? Remember those big trades you pulled off ? Boys haven't changed very much-and it still happens every spring. Major League ballplayers still move from one rubber-band held stack to another. A wad of bazooka gum and a stack of baseball cards are part of the heritage of American boyhood--envy of the world. Want to make a boy happy ? Give him a nickel and send him to the store today

That was a fun read.

[BCauley]

Nice stuff! I just finished my '55 Topps set after starting about 13 years ago (hey, life happens!). I ended up getting commons ungraded and the superstars/HOFers graded. I bounced back and forth on working either the '58 or '59 set and ended up going with the '58. I'm slowly growing to like working on sets. Good luck with yours!

[Big Six]

Nice stuff! I just finished my '55 Topps set after starting about 13 years ago (hey, life happens!). I ended up getting commons ungraded and the superstars/HOFers graded. I bounced back and forth on working either the '58 or '59 set and ended up going with the '58. I'm slowly growing to like working on sets. Good luck with yours!

Thanks Bill...getting excited to be close to wrapping this up. Enjoy the chase...

[Big Six]

Just picked up Hammerin' Hank...down to nine...with Killebrew en route.

10 Mickey Mantle (leaning towards getting graded only on this one)
515 Harmon Killebrew - en route
528 Pirates Team
543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star -- Ernie Banks
561 All Star -- Hank Aaron
562 All Star -- Al Kaline
563 All Star -- Willie Mays
564 All Star -- Mickey Mantle

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1959-topps/3859/380-hank-aaron

[Big Six]

Thanks for Harmon, Jarrod...

[almostdone]

BEauty cards Matt. I love that Killebrew.

Drew

[Big Six]

Just got back from Westchester "March Madness" show...very crowded and I ended up grabbing two more for my 1959 Topps set...I have really lousy luck finding a centered Pirates Team card that wasn't checked, so I sort of settled with this one thought the corners are really nice. If anyone has any of the following 6 cards I'm looking for, please drop me a line...

10 Mickey Mantle
543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star - Earnie Banks
561 All Star - Hank Aaron
563 All Star - Willie Mays
564 All Star - Mickey Mantle

[almostdone]

I know the feeling of being so close. Keep going! Nice pickups by the way. Wish I could help on your last few but maybe some other set some other day.
Good Luck!
Drew

[Big Six]

Just seeing if anyone can help me finish this bad boy...

10 Mickey Mantle
543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star - Earnie Banks
561 All Star - Hank Aaron
563 All Star - Willie Mays
564 All Star - Mickey Mantle

Let me know...and thanks! Matt

[ALR-bishop]

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/Bishop539/img034.jpg?t=1336662199

[tdouglas]

PM sent

[jim]

64378

64377

[ALR-bishop]

Nice cards Jim

[ALR-bishop]

Someone asked me in a pm about a couple of oddities I mentioned in an earlier post. They all involve print defects as opposed to variations with the possible exceptions of 317, Hitting Kings where an errant "A" appears the joint shoulders of Ashburn/Mays on fairly many of the cards you see on ebay, and the 3 Haywood Sullivans ( which I think are print defects but have been recognized as variations by some. The Ramos involves and upper left border defect. There is a PSA 9 version of this on ebay now. The Portefield involves an errant green line on the back along the listed years. All of these defects are recurring, some more scarce than others. The Sullivan no period after the A in USA is very tough

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/Bishop539/img118.jpg?t=1338155151

[Big Six]

Very happy to add this nicely centered Mantle...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1959-topps/5206/010-mickey-mantle

I'm down to just the following...I'll be reaching back out to those folks who indicated they have what I need...can't wait to put this set to bed!!!

543 Corsair Trio
559 All Star - Earnie Banks
561 All Star - Hank Aaron
563 All Star - Willie Mays
564 All Star - Mickey Mantle

[ALR-bishop]

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/Bishop539/img109.jpg?t=1338045506

[Big Six]

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/Bishop539/img109.jpg?t=1338045506

Hey Al...what is that???

[ALR-bishop]

Matt---in 1993 Topps licensed R & N China Company to produce some of the 1993 set in porcelein. I am not sure if the whole set was reproduced but some of it was. I don't think it sold well but it was apparently decided to produce such porcelein reproductions for some of the major stars in their older cards. There was a complete run of Mantle Topps cards and for some other stars too, like Mays. For Mantle I think since Topps owned the Bowman rights too, his Bowman cards were also reproduced. They are actually kind of neat and I bought a couple of examples that I keep with my sets. You can usually find some under an ebay search for "R & N China Topps" I know Larry Fritsch sells a complete run of the Mantles

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/Bishop539/img109.jpg?t=1338045506


http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/Bishop539/img107.jpg?t=1338045590

[Big Six]

I need only the Corsair Trio and Mantle All Star to finish my set...if you have nicely centered examples of either/both, let me know. Condition I'd like would be EX/EXMT. Thanks...Matt

[curtis-cards]

Someone asked me in a pm about a couple of oddities I mentioned in an earlier post. They all involve print defects as opposed to variations with the possible exceptions of 317, Hitting Kings where an errant "A" appears the joint shoulders of Ashburn/Mays on fairly many of the cards you see on ebay, and the 3 Haywood Sullivans ( which I think are print defects but have been recognized as variations by some. The Ramos involves and upper left border defect. There is a PSA 9 version of this on ebay now. The Portefield involves an errant green line on the back along the listed years. All of these defects are recurring, some more scarce than others. The Sullivan no period after the A in USA is very tough

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj555/Bishop539/img118.jpg?t=1338155151

I'm putting this set together as well. I've never heard of these oddities. I'll have to check mine to see if I have any. Thanks for the info. I'm about 60-70 cards away from completion.

[curtis-cards]

A couple of questions: Are you doing grey and white backs or either and are you picking up the felt pennant insert too? Just curious. Thanks.

[Big Six]

No preference on grey vs. white...would like to pick up the insert at some point but won't kill myself looking too hard... :)

[Big Six]

Thanks to rocuan for the Corsair Trio card below...that leaves me needing only the Mantle All-Star to complete my set...if anyone has a nicely centered example in Excellent or better condition, please let me know!

[rocuan]

PM sent.

[Big Six]

Anyone have a nice ExMt they want to sell so I can finish my set???

[Wymers Auction]

Matt,

How has it been collecting the '54 topps set? It looks like a great set to put together. Lots of colorful and beautiful cards. I am thinking PSA 7 or better. Which I am sure will end up being all 7's! Is centering a major issue in the 54 set?
I find centering to be a really big issue on that set especially on the Banks Rookie.

[Big Six]

I am awaiting delivery of the last card I need for my '59 Topps set...can't wait!!!

[ALR-bishop]

Very pleased for you Matt

[Big Six]

Just received the last card I needed for this set. I paid a lot of attention to picking up nicely centered examples of each card and the average condition would be EX/EX-MT or better. Thanks to all who followed me on my journey or helped me along the way. Still working on my 1954 and 1956 Topps sets so be sure to keep up with those projects, too!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/BigSix/1959-topps/6671/564-mickey-mantle-as

[ALR-bishop]

Congrats Matt. This was the first Topps set I finished. Started in 59 and finished it later ( high #s)in the late 60s. As a result it is my personal favorite.

Now you need the variations :)

[curtis-cards]

Congrats! I've got a ways to go with mine. That Mantle looks very nice!

[Big Six]

Congrats! I've got a ways to go with mine. That Mantle looks very nice!

Hang in there...it's well worth it!!!

[Bocabirdman]

Way to go Matt....Sadly my set has been stalled at 34 to go for a few months (Damn T206s:D)

[almostdone]

Congrats Matt!! It's been a pleasure watching you share the building of this set with all of us. What a nice feeling when you finally complete it. Great job on a great set!
Drew