Assembling a Vintage Set

[CamaroDMD]

So, my main collecting interest over the last few years was set collecting for vintage football cards. I managed to complete a couple sets in that time and I really enjoyed it. Although my main focus for baseball is mainly specific players and cards...I can't help but think about putting together a baseball set. I think it would be challenging and a lot of fun.

I know that baseball sets tend to be much larger than football and more expensive. So, it will take some time to do one. I also need help deciding what set to pick because there are SO many factors and I tend to over analyze things. So, I'd be interested in your opinions about what is a good set to choose...basically if you could only do one set what would you pick.

Here are some things that I'm looking for:

1. Standard-sized cards. I want to put the bulk of the set in 9 pouch pages in an album so standard size is critical...so I believe that is 1957 Topps or later.
2. Milwaukee Braves. I grew up as a huge Braves fan and there is something special about the years the team was in Milwaukee. So, I want a set where the Braves were in Milwaukee. So, that would be 1965 or earlier.

Those are the two big things. I would also like to pick a set with nice esthetic design. Of course...I nice complement of stars is always good (but I think every set from 57-65 should have that).

Also, something interesting is also nice. For example, I really like how the 1957 Topps set has the Giants and Dodgers still in NY. I also like how the 1957 set has season stats for every year the player played to date (as do several other sets). On the other hand, I think the set is somewhat unaesthetic.

Anyway, I would love to hear your opinions. I don't want to hear :"collect what you like" because I like them all. What I want is pros and cons to try and decide which set has the most going for it.

I don't have a super tight budget but I'm not wealthy either...but I think all these sets fall into a reasonable price range for me given enough time.

[pawpawdiv9]

Talking football.
I went for my favorites (rookie cards)
Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Walter Payton, then went for some Bradshaw, Joe Greene and OJ simpson.
I also have a unopened pack of 84's graded.

I tried several times and failed at Jim Brown, Sammy baugh, Red Grange, Staubach

[Tcards-Please]

Although not aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, my choice would be the 1957 Topps. For me there are several reasons:

1st - It has early golden age of ball team names (NY Giants & Brooklyn Dodgers) before being relocated to California.

2nd - First year of the now standard size baseball card

3rd - Has a good assortment of hall of famers.

4th - Not too terribly expensive to assemble.

5th - That was the year the Milwaukee Braves won their only WS while in Milwaukee.

6th - Warren Spahn, arguably the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time won his only Cy Young award at the tender age of 36.

I too grew up and still to this day a huge Braves fan.

Good luck on your endeavor and have fun with whatever set you select.

r/
Frank

It looks like you might have already made up your mind with that nice 1957 Mantle.

[CamaroDMD]

Originally Posted by T's please

Although not aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, my choice would be the 1957 Topps. For me there are several reasons:

1st - It has early golden age of ball team names (NY Giants & Brooklyn Dodgers) before being relocated to California.

2nd - First year of the now standard size baseball card

3rd - Has a good assortment of hall of famers.

4th - Not too terribly expensive to assemble.

5th - That was the year the Milwaukee Braves won their only WS while in Milwaukee.

6th - Warren Spahn, arguably the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time won his only Cy Young award at the tender age of 36.

I too grew up and still to this day a huge Braves fan.

Good luck on your endeavor and have fun with whatever set you select.

r/
Frank

It looks like you might have already made up your mind with that nice 1957 Mantle.

I have been considering the '57 set for all those reasons. I didn't buy the '57 Mantle with the plan of assembling a set...but the fact that I have it already does help. I also really like the fact that there is a Ted Williams in this set. Honestly, the only things that the '57 has against it IMHO are the following 3 things: unaesthetic design, no Roger Maris (off by 1 year) and I don't care for the Hank Aaron error (a real shame in my eyes). To be honest, before I posted this thread it was the set I was leaning more towards.

I was thinking about the 1962 Topps set too...but when I was doing some research I found that many players seem to have multiple varieties for each card...including multiple photos. I was thinking that a "numbers" set would be a reasonable but a true "complete" set would be a whole different challenge. I also don't think the design is "attractive" but it does have a certain 1960s feel. I also like the Babe Ruth series in the set...but then again, there are varieties within that series. I also don't care that they only included a players 1961 stats on the back.

[the 'stache]

Oh man, I never noticed Aaron batting lefty on the '57 card. His MVP season, too. You think somebody at Topps would have noticed that. Still doesn't ruin the card for me, but that's messed up.

[Brianruns10]

How about the '55 set? It's super small, barely over 200 cards, and only has one really stopper, the Clemente rookie (but hey at least it's no '52 Mantle), and it's a damn sight to behold, Topps at it's most brilliant, colorful and saturated. You practically need sunglasses to look at them!

[CamaroDMD]

Originally Posted by Brianruns10

How about the '55 set? It's super small, barely over 200 cards, and only has one really stopper, the Clemente rookie (but hey at least it's no '52 Mantle), and it's a damn sight to behold, Topps at it's most brilliant, colorful and saturated. You practically need sunglasses to look at them!

I think 1955 is the most beautiful set Topps ever did. But, I want a standard sized set I can put in an album. Otherwise, I would be all over the 1955.

[the 'stache]

While I love the 1957 Topps set for the reasons mentioned, I'm going to work on the 1956 Topps Braves as part of my early pickups. Like you, I'm a HUGE Braves/Brewers fan being from Milwaukee. So while I work on buying the big 3 Aaron, Mathews and Spahn, I'll also be looking to add Joe Adcock, Lew Burdette, Bob Buhl, Del Crandall, etc.

I don't think you can go wrong with either season. I'll also be buying the 1953 Bowman Color (even though they show the Boston Brave unis, they were in Milwaukee by then The Mathews and Spahn cards are just gorgeous!