Is the 1914 Fatima T222 set impossible to complete?

[Mrvintage]

I am looking ahead to my next set after I hopefully finish my George C Miller set this year and I am interested in the T222 1914 fatima set. After looking at the psa population report I started to wonder if this set is even possible to complete? There are several cards in the set that have had only 1 card graded. Does anyone have any info on how difficult this set really is? Thanks

[JamesGallo]

I think if you just look at one population report that really doesn' t give you the whole picture. I believe there are a few board members with either complete or near complete sets.

I have a few of the short prints but it is not a common set. The rarer cards aren't really the few HOF and the fact of the matter is there are not a lot of HOF so you have to be willing to spend some money on the short print commons.

James G

[FrankWakefield]

If a fellow were to get Austin, Henry, Johnson, and Lelivelt, then he could make a good stab at completing them. Get a Henry card before you get to thinking you're going to complete these.

[rhettyeakley]

Impossible...no. Extremely difficult and will take many years...yes, so if you decide to do it, have some patience).

There are many SP's in the set (generally if they have a tiny double digit # on front below the name then they are difficult). The only HOFer in among the rarities (unfortunately) is the Walter Johnson so that card is going to be a MAJOR stumbling block for anyone going after the set. Generally the first 30-35 cards from the set of 52 will be somewhat available if one has some patience (and isn't too picky about condition b/c these are easily broken cards) but getting those last 15-20 cards for the set will be REALLY difficult unless you happen upon a partial set or get really lucky!

-Rhett

[Mrvintage]

Thanks for the info guys. Just curious about how you would rank these sets in order of difficulty(simply finding the cards regardless of price) T222 1914 fatima, 1914 cracker jack, 1932 U.S Caramel, 1922 E121 American Caramel.

[rhettyeakley]

assuming the U.S.Caramel is w/o Lindstrom I would rank them...

Easiest to Hardest
-1932 U.S.Caramel (mainly because it is a smaller set, but it may in fact be tougher than 1914 CJ)
-1914 Cracker Jack
-1922 E121 Series of 120 (a handful of tough cards, but way easier than Series of 80)
-1914 T222
-1921 E121 Series of 80 (WAY harder than anyone thinks, unless they have tried to complete it. I have never had confirmation of a truly complete set even being out there)

[ls7plus]

I had to choose between a 1914 Fatima Walter Johnson, which is a short print, and the 1923 Lections Babe Ruth in a Mastronet auction several years ago, and went with the Ruth, being unable to afford both at one time. Have been looking for a Johnson ever since, without success. I have the Alexander from the set and was lucky to buy that one from Larry Fritsch in the late '90's. I would say the set can be completed, but will require a great deal of both patience and dilligence (read YEARS!) looking for the short prints. Also, as one board member has previously noted, competition for the Alexander is rather fierce when one comes up for auction. I personally believe the Johnson to be quite rare, as the PSA pop has been just four for some time now, as far as I know. The one I missed at auction was rather low grade, I think, yet went for about $4400, if memory serves correctly.

Hope this is of some help, and best wishes on your collecting endeavors!

Larry