1920s-30s Baseball Set Suggestions?

[Smanzari]

Hey everyone-

I have recently started putting vintage sets together and AM LOVING IT! Was wondering if anyone had a suggestion of a set from the 20s/30s that would be seen as relatively "affordable"/"easy" and contains Ruth and Gehrig. Was leaning towards the Exhibit set from that Era but would rather something with smaller cards.

Thanks for the help/suggestions!

[glchen]

Nothing with both Ruth and Gehrig sets are cheap. If you want a set that is smaller than postcard size, that will limit your options also. My suggestions are 1927 W560 and 1928 W502. The W560 isn't very pretty, but is probably one of the cheapest you can get for both players. However, it also has a lot of non-sports and non-baseball cards, which you may not want. I think the 1928 W502 is a nice under the radar set that might fit your criteria. One other option is the 1928 Harrington, which is cheaper than the York or Tharp sets but with the same images. It is the less expensive and less rare than the 1931 W502 set. For larger size cards, 1929 Kashin and multiple Exhibit sets are very nice. The 1926-29 Exhibits is a huge set with all of the variations but one of the best looking, IMHO.

[nolemmings]

There aren't as many sets with both Ruth and Gehrig as you might think, at least given the many years they were together and the wealth of sets from the 30's. The answer to your question might be the 1929 R316 Kashin set, although those cards aren't really "small' either--they measure about 3-3/8 x 4-1/2. Kashins are more affordable than many others, but if you want to spend some $$$, you can shoot for the 1933 U.S. caramel set, which is smaller in both card and set size. I'm not a huge fan, but there is color for those who don't like b&w. Be aware that there is a handful of non-baseball cards in the set, in case you are a purist in that regard. There is also R315 from an affordability standpoint, although those cards are the same size as Exhibits. Good luck!

[Smanzari]

Nothing with both Ruth and Gehrig sets are cheap. If you want a set that is smaller than postcard size, that will limit your options also. My suggestions are 1927 W560 and 1928 W502. The W560 isn't very pretty, but is probably one of the cheapest you can get for both players. However, it also has a lot of non-sports and non-baseball cards, which you may not want. I think the 1928 W502 is a nice under the radar set that might fit your criteria. One other option is the 1928 Harrington, which is cheaper than the York or Tharp sets but with the same images. It is the less expensive and less rare than the 1931 W502 set. For larger size cards, 1929 Kashin and multiple Exhibit sets are very nice. The 1926-29 Exhibits is a huge set with all of the variations but one of the best looking, IMHO.

There aren't as many sets with both Ruth and Gehrig as you might think, at least given the many years they were together and the wealth of sets from the 30's. The answer to your question might be the 1929 R316 Kashin set, although those cards aren't really "small' either--they measure about 3-3/8 x 4-1/2. Kashins are more affordable than many others, but if you want to spend some $$$, you can shoot for the 1933 U.S. caramel set, which is smaller in both card and set size. I'm not a huge fan, but there is color for those who don't like b&w. Be aware that there is a handful of non-baseball cards in the set, in case you are a purist in that regard. There is also R315 from an affordability standpoint, although those cards are the same size as Exhibits. Good luck!


Thank you for the responses, not necessarily looking for "cheap," just relatively cheap to the era (i.e. 1933 Goudey is waaay out of my price range!) I will definitely look into your suggestions! Also may just do Diamond Stars (I LOVE this set) and will settle for just a Ruth/Gehrig to go with it from a different set!

[x2drich2000]

First one that comes to my mind is U.S. Caramel (http://www.oldcardboard.com/r/r328/r328.asp?cardsetID=886). Not exactly cheap, especially when you add in the other HOFers. But at only 32 cards (less if you count the other sports) your not chasing players no one has heard of.

[familytoad]

I really agree with Gary on this one.
W502 is a good choice, but the Harrington or Yorks are also really good choices.
(You need a Type2 for the Gehrig)

If you are chasing a set with both Ruth and Gehrig, the “inexpensiveness” is relative. After all, you get a Ruth and Gehrig :p

[Smanzari]

I really agree with Gary on this one.
W502 is a good choice, but the Harrington or Yorks are also really good choices.
(You need a Type2 for the Gehrig)

If you are chasing a set with both Ruth and Gehrig, the “inexpensiveness” is relative. After all, you get a Ruth and Gehrig :p

Ha, yea- just can't afford the 4 Ruths and Gehrigs from the 1933 Playball Set!

The W502s looks pretty Yankee-heavy, so that may be my Route (I'm a Huge Yanks fan!)

BUT the 1932 Caramels actually appeals to me with the multiple sports!

I really appreciate the suggestions everyone!

[yanksfan09]

R315 is a nice set but same size as exhibit cards basically.

US Caramels are nice as noted.

[Joe Hunter]

Your best bet would be the '29 Kashins set. Both Ruth and Gehrig are reasonably priced, and the only difficult cards to obtain are a few short prints.

[ValKehl]

I would go with one of the 1928 F50 ice cream sets. I believe Yuenglings are easier than the other 3 - Harrington's, Sweetman, and Tharp's. Or, you could do a F50 set in which you obtained a mixture of these 4 advertising backs, as I believe the checklist is the same for each.

[Chris Counts]

If you could live without Ruth and Gehrig, the 1934-36 Diamond Stars set is awesome. There's only 108 cards in the set, which is about as colorful as any you could imagine. You could also skip the last 12 cards because those players are already represented in the set, which leaves just 96 cards, and nothing too tough to find. If you really want a Ruth and a Gehrig, you could get 1934 Goudey premium of Ruth, and a 1934 Goudey (pick from two poses) of Gehrig.

[pokerplyr80]

Not sure what your budget is but a low grade 33 might not be too bad if you skip lajoie and only pick up 1 of the Ruths and 1 of the Gehrigs. If I was going to try to complete a 20s or 30s set that's the one I'd want.

[Smanzari]

I would go with one of the 1928 F50 ice cream sets. I believe Yuenglings are easier than the other 3 - Harrington's, Sweetman, and Tharp's. Or, you could do a F50 set in which you obtained a mixture of these 4 advertising backs, as I believe the checklist is the same for each.

Thanks- I'll check those out!!!

If you could live without Ruth and Gehrig, the 1934-36 Diamond Stars set is awesome. There's only 108 cards in the set, which is about as colorful as any you could imagine. You could also skip the last 12 cards because those players are already represented in the set, which leaves just 96 cards, and nothing too tough to find. If you really want a Ruth and a Gehrig, you could get 1934 Goudey premium of Ruth, and a 1934 Goudey (pick from two poses) of Gehrig.

Yea, this is still an option for me- would more than likely do '33s of Gehrig/Ruth if I go this route!


Not sure what your budget is but a low grade 33 might not be too bad if you skip lajoie and only pick up 1 of the Ruths and 1 of the Gehrigs. If I was going to try to complete a 20s or 30s set that's the one I'd want.

No real defined budget, I debated this set for a while (and actually led to posting this thread)- I just know the completist in me would want to do all 4 Ruths if I went that route and I have too many sets I want to do to make that financially feasible!

[sterlingfox]

1931 W517 is another good relatively inexpensive option with both Ruth and Gehrig. In fact, I believe there are 2 different Ruths in the set. The only drawback is they are bigger than a standard sized card.

[Smanzari]

1931 W517 is another good relatively inexpensive option with both Ruth and Gehrig. In fact, I believe there are 2 different Ruths in the set. The only drawback is they are bigger than a standard sized card.

Will definitely look into it! I was debating Exhibits but ended up deciding those were postcards in my eyes! These are nice, and are not postcards- thanks for the suggestion!

[bbcard1]

Though it lacks a Ruth, I did a lower grade Delong set and really enjoy it. Loaded with hall of famers and visually interesting, IMO.

[Baseball Bob]

The 1929 Kashin R316 is THE coolest pre-war set! :). The Charles Conlon photos capture the character of these old-timers and are a joy to look at. They are so good that Goudey and others used them in knock-off form for many players.

[Leon]

The 1929 Kashin R316 is THE coolest pre-war set! :). The Charles Conlon photos capture the character of these old-timers and are a joy to look at. They are so good that Goudey and others used them in knock-off form for many players.

The Kashins were a set that came to mind when I first saw the question. Great set and not terribly expensive relative to others. Here are some from the previous collection..