Beginner Vintage Set

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Posted By: nbmajors

I am new to collecting vintage baseball and would like to put a set together. What would you suggest? Thanks.

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Posted By: Marc S.

1933, or 1934. Can't go wrong with either.

T-206 is a great set, too, if you can live without the Big 4 and have a bankroll to complete. Budget, personal preferences and patience are all factors that impact the best "advice" to provide, though. Tell us a little more about yourself.

M

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Posted By: Bobby Binder

You have to soul search yourself and find out what cards and players you would enjoy collecting. As well you have to weigh in set difficulties and price points. This is a hobby that can be fun and or expensive how you go about it is up to you.

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Posted By: Brad Green

I enjoyed putting together my 1934-36 Diamond Stars set. The set doesn't have a Ruth or a Gehrig (unlike the Goudey sets), which keeps it affordable. Grove (card #1) is the most expensive card, but will cost you only a few hundred dollars depending on the condition that you are looking for. The colors and artwork of the cards are beautiful (IMO) and the cards are easy to find.

You can take a look at my D.S. set at the link below:

http://www.bandkgreen.net/diamond_stars

Whatever set you choose, you will probably have fun... and find it to be very addictive!

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Posted By: keyway

Start out with something thats not to hard to complete. T201 Double folds would be a nice start. Only 50 in the set and not real expensive for an early tobacco set. Once you get your feet wet with this one you can move on from there.

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Posted By: John S

It depends upon your budget; but the E95 Philadelphia Caramel set at 30 cards is relatively easy to complete.

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Posted By: fkw

Some low budget sets with nice commons under $10 (HOFers $20-$30)

1936 Goudey
1931 W517
1929 R316
1936 R314A, R314C

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Posted By: Rob

check out oldcardboard.com/ - they have a good listing of vintage sets along with pictures and general prices that you can expect to pay.

How much $ do you have available to spend? How big of a set are you looking to attempt?

Rob

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Posted By: Steve Dawson

Probably the easiest set to complete is the T201 Mecca Doublefolders. 50 cards with 2 players on each...100 players in the set. The artwork's decent and there are no super-tough cards to worry about


Steve

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Posted By: Josh

T201 is pretty easy to complete and affordable.

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Posted By: MikeU

Completely agree on the above Diamond Star suggestion. Can be done pretty easily and on a budget. I think the Art Deco style is beautifull. Very appropriate for the times and still holds the look today. Something they will say about the 75 Topps set in 50 years.

I am not much of a fan at all of T201's.

fkw had some great suggestions for less mainstream choices.

I would also agree with the 33/34 Goudey suggestions, if you have a little larger budget. A few of the cards command a significant price tag, regardless of grade. A problem you do not have with Diamond Stars. Although you can not argue their popularity, I am not much of a fan at all for the 34 Goudey's.

Final Suggestion:
Budget Minded = 34-36 Diamond Stars
A little more disposible cash = 33 Goudey

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Some good ideas up there...

Unless you're a fan of the Pirates, Athletics, Tigers or Giants, you could try getting a team completed in T206 without spending a fortune.

Diamond Stars are a good idea if you omitted the high numbers.

And an American Caramel team set from the 1920s is possible without great expense.

Realistically, focusing on a team is easier than a 'set' when you're dealing with the old cards.

Maybe pick a favorite World Series Champion team from years ago, then try to get the starting lineup and the key bench players, even if you cross over sets... such as E90-1s, T205s and T206s for a team from 90 to 100 years ago. Or 33 and 34 Goudeys, plus Diamond Stars, to piece together a team from 70 to 80 years ago.

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Posted By: JimB

Caramel sets like E92, E93, and E95 are not too tough to complete, depending on condition. They are relatively small and manageable and have a lot of HOFs which makes them more desirable. And let's not forget that they look great!
JimB