How focused are you in your set collecting?
 

I've been reading threads and I've noticed that there are many set collectors on the board and I wonder how focused are you? Meaning, do you buy cards from other years/sets or do you buy only for that particular set?

I'm a huge Braves fan and I'm in the process of collecting Topps base cards for every Braves player, from '51 to today. I rarely buy cards/collectibles outside of that specific aim, but when I do it's based solely on the look of the card or the collectible; I'm working on cultivating a baseball theme for my office, focusing on the worldwide appeal that is our beloved game. Right now I have japanese cards, venezuelan cards, some bobbleheads, pennants, magazines/scorecards, and autographed baseballs/cards.

So, how many of you are only focused on your set and how many of you collect your set, but buy other cards/collectibles that have nothing to do with the set you're trying to complete?

Sets
 

Set guy here

I try to stay focused, otherwise the budget can spiral out of control very quickly.

I've even got it down to only buying cards by series. I start any set off by completing series one, then move on to series two etc. Much the way the sets were completed in their original years.

My goal is to have a complete set from every year. I've completed my run of Topps sets (except for 1952 High numbers) Because of that I'm currently working on series 5 of the 1952 Bowman set to count for my 1952 complete set.

When that set is done I'll move on to the 1950 Bowman set and then work my way into the 1940's

I am mostly focused on several player runs and a couple of team sets. However I do stray occasionally, like picking up an Exhibit here and there because I think they're cool, or picking up a single for a signing if the fee is cheap enough and I like the guy.

Set collector
 

I am working (61, 64) or upgrading (67, 68, 71, 72) several sets now. I am mainly a set collector, but an avid variation hunter.

Collecting
 

Most of my focus is on my Indians type set. I am getting to the point where the oldies are so scarce that they seldom appear( Valo Sugardale, E-107, Piedmont Art Stamp) and when they do the cost is out of sight. Most of my acquisitions these days are the newest releases.

I also have sets from my youth '59-61 and I will upgrade cards in those from time to time.

For those of you old enough to remember, my collecting focus is like a "super ball" being thrown into a concrete room!

I get close to a set then start two others, then two more. I am under 50 on each set from the 1950's except for the 1951 Bowman and 1952 Topps and so hopefully I will settle down and complete them one at a time.

I have a good friend that is a CPA with a very controlled process, he starts and finishes a set without ever looking at another year. I really don't know which way is more fun?

Pretty much anything and everything including Pre-War, nonsports, sets, etc. Working on a LOT of Topps sets. Ebbs and flows depending on what I find. If I find really good non-set stuff, I'll buy it and then when I don't I will work on the sets...........

Sets and I lack focus. My focus is on a run from 54-present. With second sets of all sports in the 1970s and thirds of BB from 73-79.
That being said, I've the three big high number sets (61,66 & 67) to complete, a couple big cards from 54&55 and the more common sets of 62 and 65 left to go. Yet, I still can't seem to focus on any one set at a time.

The toughest part for me is finding things outside of my set that I really like, I buy it at a decent price, and then think back on how many cards I could have got for my set. For example, I just bought a Hank Aaron bobblehead, great piece and I love it, but I could have bought 5 to 10 cards, maybe more, for my set. Can you both regret and not regret a purchase at the same time? LOL

+1. Exactly the way I work on sets. Great way to stay focused. Each series is like completing a small set.


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You can't go wrong with a Hank Aaron bobblehead. :)

extremely.

mostly basic topps/opc player sets and some completed several times over.

i also collect random oddball cards dating from the 1800's and up.

I agree that that is really good advice. I was making great headway on my Topps sets and then I discovered VZ Braves cards and have spent a large amount of money on those. If I had stuck to just American Topps I'd be much farther along, but then again, I got some exceptional deals on the vast majority of VZ cards I've obtained, so I can live with where my set is at at the moment.

That being said, I've started to really focus on American Topps lately, but I imagine that's mostly to do with the fact that VZ Braves cards are pretty dry at the moment over on eBay. LOL

No you cannot, looks great sitting next to my Hank Aaron autographed baseball that may or may not be legit. :D

I am working on 55, 56, 58, and 59 sets, but if I see something that catches my eye, I buy it....within my budget of course.

Big set builder here (along with my 13 yr old son).

But I personally find it VERY hard to stay on topic.

Just like right now, we have been working on the 1956 topps football set since the Chicago National. Yet in the past week I have purchased an E121 Maranville and a Nielson's Chocolate type II common.

We only need like 8-9 more 56's, yet I find myself spending that money on Pre War, which pisses my son off :-(

I am not a big set builder by any means, but I did try twice. First with 52 Topps, got in a little over my head. Then I tried 41 Play Ball, which I certainly could have finished, but chose not too. My attention wanders and I tend to purchase cards that I find interesting, and are available at a fair price. Even now I'm supposed to be working on a Mantle run, but continue adding other cards.

I'm a set builder, just finished the 52 low numbers. I also have these started 51 red back graded, 52 High, 53,54,55,56,57,59,62,64 topps giants graded, 69, 69 deckle, 70, 71 and 72. all different stages but I am trying. I also need 1 75 mini brett rookie.

as if that wasn't enough I have a 69 football and (2) 86 fleer basketball started.
I find it hard to stay on task with a set that is why I have so many started.

but I figured all I have is time to finish what I can. I would like to have topps set from today back. I have 1973 to present complete but for 2015. so its a start. I like the older cards in sets and I will be looking for the sets I don't have at least starter sets I can upgrades for 51 blue,58,60,61,63, 64,65,66, 67,68 sooner then later.

good luck all. I am always to looking for trading partners...

In terms of focus I am the Mr. Magoo of collecting.

Set Collector
 

My main focus is the 1961 through 1963 Post Cereal and Jello Cards US and Canadian. I have a master set of 61 baseball. (A card from each box and company cards) I am working on master sets of 62 and 63 US Baseball. I have a complete set of 63 Canadian football including 2 albums, one in French and one in English. I have all of the newer Post sets including Jello and Kraft boxes from Canada (Hockey)

I am a Tiger fan and have much memorabilia and cards.

I am a set collector, and it is a never ending task because I constantly update. I have a favored set from each era and generally work on those. And yes I buy other cards & sheets that have nothing to do with the set I am working on....keeps it fun

Z

I agree, it is fun. I'm trying to stay away from collecting other cards. So, if I do splurge on something outside of my set it's usually on trinkets like bobbleheads, pennants, magazines, and other assortments. I'm actually looking at collecting the Topps coin sets of Braves players and once I have obtained them all, showcasing them in a frame of some sort. I think that'd look pretty cool.

For those in the know, I've never handled a Topps coin before. Are they comparable in size to a quarter? Bigger? Smaller? Thanks.

I have tried to reign in my focus. I get into a set and finish it to 50-75% and lose interest and chase something else.

Right now I am building a graded 1950 Bowman set, in PSA 3-7 and am 15% done after about 6 months of building.

I am also slowly building 1972 and 1979 Topps in binders, about 30% done with 72 and 95% done with 79.

It was going really well but i saw a killer deal on the 'bay for 13 PSA graded 1953 Bowman cards. This set is on my radar and so I was only able to go back and forth on it for about 2 days before I pulled the trigger on it but now that has me looking at 1953 Bowman auctions and I see myself losing focus again.....UGH

I was able to focus and complete a Mantle run. I was not able to complete 52 topps or 41 play ball, despite the latter only consisting of 72 cards. It's difficult for me to stay focused on a specific set when there are so many great cards out there I want.

I'm a set collector whose main focus is usually a single set....1958 Topps baseball at the moment. However, to make sure I don't get bored with it I tend to take on smaller projects as well. Just finished the 1974-75 OPC WHA hockey set at 66 cards. A nice break from 58 Topps but now I'll return my focus there.

1958
 

Sedin-- why 1958 ?

Al

100% effective.

My "sets" are essentially player collections in which there is an over-arching theme to those players. From time to time, Ive branched out like completing a Red Man Giants run - but even that run is complete. Ultimately, if I stray out, I stray into an additional set that Im building. Everything is within a specific goal.

While there are upsides to this approach (size, budget), it may illustrate some character issues as well. :D

Signed 1952 Topps
 

A good ways into a signed set 301/407 of 1952 Topps. Collect basically any 1952 Topps sets, including salesman samples.

They are about the same size as a quarter.

Hiya Chris, Brian Powell here. Regarding the exact size of the 1964 / 1971 Topps Coins, bro, after failing to find an exact diameter spec online, I checked my old Krause Standard Cat. It says the diameter is 1 1/2", which sounds right. That comes to 38.1 mm. I remember they're bigger than a quarter, and really, a very pleasing size in the hand, as are the Salada and Armour coins. So, that makes them even distinctly larger than the size of a half-dollar, which is 30.6 mm in diameter. The diameter of a quarter is 24.3 mm.

In fact, I would say the 1964 and 1971 Topps coins are the exact same size as the 1963 Salada Baseball and 1962 Salada football and hockey, which are all metal, with the essential metal design the same. That also goes for the 1965 Old London coins, who were produced by the same people that did the 1964 Topps all-star coins.

Enough of my minutiae palabre! Hope ALL is well with you.:D

---Brian Powell

Haha, schoooled by the master :). Thanks Brian! Hope all is well with you. I owe you an email--had some unexpected medical issues pop up with the little guy that has taken up a bit of my attention lately.

The 56 Piins/Buttons are smaller. Have not measured mine but would guess maybe as small or smaller than a quarter

May God help you and care for and heal little Tristan! A big brotherly hug to you and your wife. ---Brian Powell

I seem to like cards with the bold, bright backgrounds. My favourite set of all time is 1964-65 Topps hockey, which has similar brightly coloured backgrounds. Having said that, I can also appreciate lots of other designs and might make a simple, clean set like 1953 Bowman my next project.

There's not much I actively dislike except for wood grain borders.

It's fun to read this thread and see how other people go about collecting. I'm definitely a set builder. As a kid I completed every Topps set going back to 1968 and had maybe a couple hundred cards each year going back through 1957. (In the pre-Internet days of the late 1970s I'd go to card shows with sheets of notebook paper listing the cards I needed for each year; sometimes I'd buy from Kit Young or others who advertised in Sporting News and other publications.) When I resumed collecting about 10 years ago I started by completing 1967, which took me several months. I've finished about one set a year; 1960-66, also 1956 and 1957. Now I'm contemplating 1958 and 1959. I haven't decided which to go after; I definitely prefer choosing one year at a time and being laser-focused. I try to get cards in decent condition but I'm not a fanatic and rarely buy graded cards.

I always hated the 1962 Topps wood-grain design, but I came to have a grudging appreciation for it when I finally completed my 1962 set a year or so ago.

If you like bright colors, the 1963 Topps set is nice.

George-- you are building quite an impressive run

Sending-- if given a choice between wood grain borders or color TVs, which do you pick ? :)

I'm trying to do a Cubs set run like you are with the Braves eventually, right now focusing on '62, '65 and '67 Cubs because those are my favorite Topps sets from the 1960's. The good news with the Cubs is in most of those years they sucked, and even Ernie Banks besides his '54 RC will not break the bank in most sets. Billy Williams, who would have been Mr. Cub had it not been for Banks - is so cheap he could almost be a common in some of the later 60's sets.

Disciplined? I'm not at all. Shiny objects (stars) from the 1950's through 70's routinely catch my eye and deplete my funds. Witness the '58 Clemente I bought with Christmas money last year, and then the '55 Jackie Robinson I bought out of the blue a few months ago and had to sell other cards to fund.

I admire dedicated set collectors, always have. It's just not me. I'm 40 and hope I can complete the 3 years worth of team sets I mentioned above before I'm 50...:D

I guess I'd have to pick the TV designs, though they seem to always have wood grain borders don't they! ;-)

Thanks for sharing! I'm in a similar boat with the Braves, not many stars minus the Aaron. Sure, there's some Span, Mathews, Niekro, and Torre, but outside of the rookies, they don't break the bank. :)

I went on a '63 splurge, which was my barest run, and now I only need 13 more cards to complete the full 1960's run of Braves base cards. It's gonna cost a little dough, but I think I can manage it by the end of the year. After that, it's gonna start to get a little slow going, cause once you hit the 50's the prices start really moving upwards.

Getting those Aaron and Mathews rookies are gonna be the hard ones! Also, that dang '91 Desert Storm Chipper Jones rookie card! :(