Similarities of 2 Major Sets....T206 & '52 Topps

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Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

On this Forum there is no argument that the T206 set has to be the
favorite Pre-WWII BB card issue. I also think many would consider the
1952 Topps set to be the most popular Post-WWII set.

Actually, these 2 sets are quite similar in many ways. 1st..most significant
is the fact that each of these sets have, arguably, the most prized cards in
their respective eras....Wagner and Mantle. And, don't forget that it was
the '52T Mantle that sparked the excitement in this hobby back in 1980. In
any event, the "hype" and publicity on these two cards have generated a lot
of interest in these two sets.

2nd....To complete these two sets you need to collect 500+ cards in each.
If you are "fortunate" enough to complete a T206 set, you have 524 cards.
And, if you are a real serious 1952 Topps collector, you have 552 cards.
This includes all legitimate variations: 552 = 407 Red Backs + 82 Black Backs
(with Page & Sain errors) + 3 DP Hi#s (Mantle, J Robby & Thomson) + 60 Gray
backs (cards #131 - 190 Series; these are extremely rare).

3rd....There are 38 different Hall of Famers (HOF) in the T206 and there are
24 HOF players in the '52T set.

4th....The cards of these sets were produced in the many millions; therefore,
many cards are still available, making it easier for many collectors to acquire.

5th....Both sets were innovative in their time, the T206 set was the first
huge colorful BB card issue in the 20th Century. And, the 52T set was the
first large set in the post-war era; LARGE in 2 ways.....number of cards
and card size.