Pre War Set on a Limited Budget

[EGreenwood]

Greetings,

My name is Erik Greenwood. I have been frequenting this wonderful site for about the last three years. I really enjoy the experts weighing in on the beginnings of our hobby.

I have been a long-time set collector, and I am looking to venture into a pre-war baseball set. I have completed several 1950's to 1980's sets and well as several pre-war non-sport sets and the T218. I did get about ¼ way through the T206 before, but traded off the cards to hit other areas on my wantlist.

I am inquiring good candidates to take a look at. I would really like to collect in the G to VG range on a budget of about $100 per month. I not in any particular rush to complete the set. I not at all opposed to looking at postcard sets either.

Thank you for your time. I really look forward to you suggestions.

Erik Greenwood

[obcmac]

Diamond stars are great. Back variations, high numbers, lots of stars but no ruth/Gehrig etc...interesting colors/appearance too.

Mac

[mrvster]

Barry would state this best.....

complete it, you can do it......

[conor912]

Depends on what you mean by "no rush". I agree the monster is a killer accomplishment, but with that budget it will easily take 15 years to complete. When deciding on a new set, I look at the cost of the most expensive card(s) in the set and determine if I will have the patience to save for those. For instance with the T206's, are you willing to save up for a year and a half just to get the O'Hara? Perhaps, but I know I couldn't. If I were you, I would make a list of all prospective sets where the most pricey card is in the $300-400 dollar range. Then out of those I'd choose one based on player mix, design, availability, etc.

[HercDriver]

Hi Eric!

If you want a no-kidding set, I'd go with the T205s or T202s if you want to have a reasonable shot at completing them in ten years. T202s are pretty cheap, and with the stats/bios, they are under appreciated. T205s are not bad either, except for the Cobb. T202 has a bunch of Cobbs, unfortunately, but not for the same price.

My solution to this quandry was to find a sub-set, like brand backs. As you may know from my OBC list, I collect Sovereign backs in T205 and T206. I chose that because you get a bunch of cards to chase, but not any of the crazy, expensive ones. In T205, I get most of the Cubs, but no Cobb. In T206, I don't need Wagner, Plank, etc. It was fun just trying to figure out which cards were available with what back in T205...T206 was well documented, but not T205. Even T202 has back nuances - two colors, two factories, for a total of three different backs...but who knows which backs are actually available with which fronts.

I found this incredibly more rewarding then trying to get all those Mantles from the 50s. Not being a Yankee fan, I just couldn't spend the dough on them when I could get a 100 T205s for the same price. Take a look at what you really enjoy, then find something that matches your interest. If you find it's not a good fit, you have trade bait for the next endeavor!

Take Care,
Geno

[EGreenwood]

conor912

I literally have no particular urge to complete a set within a given timeframe - ten to fifteen years works for me just fine.

Erik Greenwood

[WWGjohn]

Erik,

I've "finished" quite a few 30's sets, although for me finishing is relative. My 33 Goudey is complete except for 3 Ruths and both Gehrigs. The 38 Goudey set is complete except for both Di Maggios. If that is not acceptable I'd go with the 33 Tattoo Orbit set or Diamond Stars. Both can be finished in a reasonable amount of time.

John

[oldjudge]

How about Ramleys. They are beautiful cards without a lot of HOFers.

[EGreenwood]

Oldjudge:

I need to get one of these for my type set. The Burkett; however, may make it impossible to complete. Thank you for the feedback.

[EGreenwood]

Mac and John:

Thanks for the feedback. I am collecting Diamond Stars and 35 Goudey 4 in 1's. I probably have about 35-40 total if I cannibalize my HOF'er set.

Erik

[Matthew H]

1934 Batter-up is a really cool set to collect on the cheap.

[EGreenwood]

Geno:

I am leaning toward one or more of the following:

T200 - I already have four
T201 - I have the Cobb / Crawford and would need to get a new Crawford for my HOF'er collection
T205 - I have about 15 or so
T206 - I have about 30, inlcuding about 20 HOF'ers - again I would need to find replacements in my HOF'er set.

I think the N's are out on the sports side, although I am presently collecting the N2 and N31. I may also start the N20 and N21 as I have decent starters.

I am also looking at E's and W's for possibilities as well.

Erik

[conor912]

Originally Posted by EGreenwood

conor912

I literally have no particular urge to complete a set within a given timeframe - ten to fifteen years works for me just fine.

Erik Greenwood

Like I said, maybe you're just a much more patient person than I am

[WWGjohn]

Erik,

The 1936 R312 set is a nice one, with 60 cards. It's a colorized variation of the National Chicle Fine Pen set. It's got a bunch of HOFers but only the Diamggio is pricey and it can be had in lower grade if you don't mind paper or glue remnants on the back.

John

[Joe_G.]

How about going after the 5 poses of Bill Greenwood from the Old Judge set? Three of the poses, two batting and one throwing, were issued over two years, first with Baltimore and then with Columbus making them a bit easier. His other two poses might be a little tougher as they were only issued in 1888 with Baltimore and feature him sliding as well as hands on knees.

[EGreenwood]

Thanks John, I will check out the set.

Erik Greenwood

[EGreenwood]

Great idea I'll have to chew on that one Joe. I have one of the Baltimore Columbus cards. That may lead me to a Greenwood master set which means I will need to get a Felin Franks which is highly unlikely. I have been having a challenging enough time finding a 1987 minor league card of Mike Greenwood.

Erik Greenwood

[timber63401]

Delongs maybe? Good looking set without a ton of cards in it. Gehrig the only one that might be considered expensive.

[smtjoy]

1921 Exhibit sets is another one to check out, loaded with HOFers and only 64 cards.

[EGreenwood]

Scott:

All that and Greasy Neale, I'm in.

Erik Greenwood

[EGreenwood]

Thanks timber63401, I will take a look.

Erik Greenwood

[EGreenwood]

I really appreciate every's feedback. I have decided to start a new set from each decade, starting from the 1880's through the 1940's, while keeping my overarching goal of adding only 1,000 cards more to my collection. This will easily take a lifetime.

1880's - 5 Greenwood N172 cards (picked up #2 this week) and AG N20 Game and Prize Chickens. Thanks for the feedback Joe and congratulations on your beautifuls twins.

1890's - AG N21 Quadrapeds

1900's - 1909-1911 T206 - I will cannibalize my HOF collection to get started and take advantage by refilling with types like Ramly's, etc. - thanks for the encouragement Geno, oldjudge, mrvster and conor912

1910's - I am adding the T200's - four down, twelve to go

1920's - I am adding the 1921 Exhibits - thank you for the information Scott

1930's - I am sticking with the Diamond Stars and 35 Goudey 4 in 1's while adding the 1936 R312 - Thank you Mac, Bama, timber63401 and Matt

1940's - I am adding a the 1947 Sunbeam Solons.

[cyseymour]

If finding the five OJ Greenwoods proves impossible, I would recommend the N28's or N29's. Not too bad in low grade and beautiful cards of top players.