Set Collectors - Report in your progress!

[rexmundi71]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

My first ever foray into the graded world was as part of a group submission last fall, and man, that did not work out as expected. Except for a few centered 1972 'In Action' cards (Vida Blue, Bob Barton, Pops) that came back as 8's and a 9 (Tom Seaver), it left me puzzled. So I'm a bit reluctant at the moment to send in anything else.

I did fairly well on my 1972's for submission but I was very harsh on them. I scanned them at 1200 dpi, analyzed their centering in Photoshop, tilted them in the light to see if there were any surface issues, all kinds of forensic stuff. Odd thing is I expected 10's on a few and received 9's, and the few 10's I received I thought I would get an 8.5 or 9.

If you submit them using a monthly special that costs around $6 something each it isn't so bad.

[Big Six]

T205 - 66/215 30.7% (SGC 40/PSA 3 on average)
Diamond Stars - 43/108 39.81% (SGC 80/PSA 6 on average)
1951 Bowman - 123/324 38% (Raw Ex/Ex-MT)
1954 Topps - 208/250 83.2% (PSA 7)
1956 Topps - 204/340 60% (Raw Ex-Mt)
1973 Topps -652/660 98.8% Raw NrMt)


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[PowderedH2O]

I am a collector that cannot focus on a single set. I never have. So, three years ago I decided on a ten year plan. I would make a list of all of the sets I wanted to collect and then make sure that each year I was 10% further into it. This also included 10% of star cards as well. I decided this would include:

1953-present Topps baseball
1952-55 Bowman baseball
1948-55 Bowman football
1956-present Topps football (which now Topps is out of the game)
1969-82 Topps basketball

I've been good about this. If I am really not into a set, I can just pick up a few cards here and there over the course of a year, and yet it is being built. I have completed 1973-present Topps baseball, plus completed 1966 and 1971. 1958 is over 90% done. I should finish 1970 and 1972 this year.
I am on target to finish the Bowman baseball sets, with the 1954 almost 85% complete. With football, I have 1968-present done for Topps with the exception of a few 1972 high numbers. I also completed 1954 Bowman, 1956, 1958, and 1960 Topps, and 1960 Fleer.

For any players prior that time, I just get the cards I like. If the card looks cool and I can afford it, so be it.

[clydepepper]

Conceding that I'll never get a Mantle, I decided to avoid the SPs altogether,at least for a while, and concentrate on the first 280 cards of the 1952 Topps set.

After completing my 1953 Topps set earlier this year, I have concentrated on those 280. I picked up 5 more today off Ebay and am down to 37 cards.

[Jwkeen]

I am continuing to chip away at my Topps run. 51 Blue Backs is down to nine cards and 52 is down to 22 cards. Still having trouble finding the 332 Bartirome at a decent price.

[geosluggo]

I’ve whittled my 1959 need list down to 9 cards.

[eliotdeutsch]

1951 Bowman
Still Need:
10, 14, 30, 80, 133, 134, 141, 158, 187, 198, 203, 218, 241, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 260, 261, 262, 266, 267, 269, 272, 274, 277, 281, 282, 285, 286, 316, 317, 323, 324

[pwang100]

I'm down to my last 5 cards for my raw 1955 Bowman set. It's my first set from the 1950's decade.

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[Vintagevault13]

There have been some very interesting threads recently about set building, so I thought it might be a good time to bump this thread for some updates. After finishing my 72 set a few months ago I fought the urge to begin the 71 set, but I finally surrendered. I am following the same method that I did with the 72 set: building a series at a time beginning with the high #s. I have about 25 high #s to go so I am making steady progress. I am looking for cards in the VG+ - EX range. Maybe a few corner issues, but no creases, etc. The cards really present well in the binder.


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[orioles70]

I need 2 cards to finish my 1957 Topps set...#302 Koufax and #407 Yankee Power Hitters...looking for ungraded cards in about EX condition...willing to purchase or trade...let me know what you are looking for in trade..any help is appreciated

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[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Aside from working on some football sets, I am two cards away from completion of 1954 Topps. It will need some upgrades. That set is vgex-ex. I bought a 32 card lot of 1958 Topps to get me started. I am going to try and build a lower grade G-VG set as a change of pace. No beaters, just honest wear.

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[baseballfan]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

Aside from working on some football sets, I am two cards away from completion of 1954 Topps. It will need some upgrades. That set is vgex-ex. I bought a 32 card lot of 1958 Topps to get me started. I am going to try and build a lower grade G-VG set as a change of pace. No beaters, just honest wear.

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I am about to start these 2 sets (54&58), how were they to build?

I also recently finished my 57 topps set, finally thanks to some help from the board.

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by baseballfan

I am about to start these 2 sets (54&58), how were they to build?



I also recently finished my 57 topps set, finally thanks to some help from the board.

Can’t speak to ‘58, but I love my ‘54. I’ve made it hard on myself by sticking to PSA 7 (though a few 6’s and 6.5’s as well as a few 7.5’s and 8’s). I will likely settle for PSA 5 Aaron, Kaline and Banks and 6’s for Mays and the two Williams. So awesome to look at them laid out, though and they look amazing in the slabs (so uniform looking). Enjoy and good luck.


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[jason.1969]

I am at 61/80 for my 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set--though perhaps 61/79 is more reflective of this one.

When I get a free weekend I'm also going to see where I ended up on 1985 Donruss/Leaf as a kid.

And in the hole is 1978 Topps. My mom threw away my 2000+ cards from packs so I'll be starting from near zero. Any tips for the most fun way to collect a set like this? It's cheap enough to buy all at once--at least in the raw VG-EX condition I go for--but that doesn't seem fun.

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[JollyElm]

A cool way to do it would be to start off by buying a 'cheap' complete set that has a ton of nice cards (that meet your condition requirements) in it, then slowly upgrade the ones that you think need it.

[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

I am at 61/80 for my 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set--though perhaps 61/79 is more reflective of this one.

When I get a free weekend I'm also going to see where I ended up on 1985 Donruss/Leaf as a kid.

And in the hole is 1978 Topps. My mom threw away my 2000+ cards from packs so I'll be starting from near zero. Any tips for the most fun way to collect a set like this? It's cheap enough to buy all at once--at least in the raw VG-EX condition I go for--but that doesn't seem fun.

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Great question on the 1978 set. In addition to the 72 set, I also completed the 75 set and I had a great time with the following process. If you keep cards in sheets/binder I would suggest starting with card #1 and purchase cards in order. This works great with sheets because there are never empty spots. Piecing the set together one card at a time also allows you to be as picky as you want about condition. ‘70s sets are notorious for centering issues. While I am not a centering fanatic, I do like cards that are at least 85/15. I do realize it is more expensive this way, but places like COMC and Sportlots can really be pretty inexpensive for commons. Best of luck


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[avalanche2006]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

I am at 61/80 for my 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set--though perhaps 61/79 is more reflective of this one.

When I get a free weekend I'm also going to see where I ended up on 1985 Donruss/Leaf as a kid.

And in the hole is 1978 Topps. My mom threw away my 2000+ cards from packs so I'll be starting from near zero. Any tips for the most fun way to collect a set like this? It's cheap enough to buy all at once--at least in the raw VG-EX condition I go for--but that doesn't seem fun.

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The most fun way to put together a set is to trade. Trade with other set collectors and pick up lots at a time for cards off of your tradelist. You can always buy nice lots that come around. This has worked well for me doing sets 20 years older.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

In my post earlier I mentioned putting together the lower grade '58 set. I plan on storing this in a binder since it will be collector grade. At 494 cards, would a 2 inch binder be about right?

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[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

In my post earlier I mentioned putting together the lower grade '58 set. I plan on storing this in a binder since it will be collector grade. At 494 cards, would a 2 inch binder be about right?

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Yes, a 2-inch binder would definitely work.


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[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Thanks, Ed. I figured 3 inch would be too big.

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[Big Six]

Making progress:

- T205 (67/215) not interested in some of the high dollar ones like Wilhelm Suffe ed. SGC 40 or PSA 3 on average.
- Diamond Stars (43/108) though no guarantee I go for hi #’s. PSA 5/6 or SGC 70/80 on average
- 1951 Bowman (123/324) raw Ex-ExMt
- 1954 Topps (236/250) PSA 7 on average
- 1956 Topps (204/340) raw Ex-ExMt
- 1973 Topps (652/660) raw NrMt-Mt
- 1972 Kellogg’s Master (60/74) PSA 9
- 1970 Kellogg’s Basic (7/75) PSA 9

Some samples of the quality I’m trying to achieve...




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[Big Six]

And with this little grouping from yesterday’s visit to East Coast National, my ‘73 set is complete.




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[clydepepper]

Need 93 Hi-Number 1952 Topps...and a winning lottery ticket while you're at it.

[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by Big Six

And with this little grouping from yesterday’s visit to East Coast National, my ‘73 set is complete.




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Congrats! Nice cards. Those high #s (rookies and Twins cards) can be tough to find centered. Any plans for your next project?


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[bnorth]

Thanks to a very nice member I added this Ed Runge to my set.

I am down to 5 cards to finish the set. 242, 291, 293, 302, and 307.

[LuckyLarry]

I need just seven more cards to complete my 1952-53-54-55 Red Man Tobacco sets. Three of the needed cards are some "guy" named Mays...

[Volod]

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

I need just seven more cards to complete my 1952-53-54-55 Red Man Tobacco sets. Three of the needed cards are some "guy" named Mays...

Nice work, Larry. Do the tabs - or no tabs - have any significance for you? I always loved the '52 set because it reminded me of my father, who was a chewer and gave me some of my first cards when I was a tyke. I can recall sending in the tabs for a Braves baseball cap.

[LuckyLarry]

Originally Posted by Volod

Do the tabs - or no tabs - have any significance for you?

Not really Steve...

[tulsaboy]

I just bought my first 1953 Bowman color card. So only a few left to go...
kevin

[Big Six]

I am down to just 11 ‘54’s after picking up these three...



Harmon seems pretty tough to track down...


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[Big Six]

And now just 10...




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[wdwfan]

Nice collections everyone. I'm up to about 350 different cards for a 1962 Topps set. But I picked up my first 57s this week (Robinson RC, Clemente and Kluszewski). I've loved that set since I was a kid. I'm thinking about dropping my 62 set and pursuing that one instead. I absolutely love the 57s. Probably my favorite vintage set of all time.

[jason.1969]

With this one I am up to 77/80. Just need 14, 50, and of course 68!

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[mcreel]

1953 Bowman Color 59 left to go!

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[commishbob]

Finished off my 1970 Topps Basketball set (Thanks eBay coupon folks!) and now down to two 62T baseball...Twins Team and Bob G. Miller.

[baseballfan]

need 2 1969 topps football to finish it. need #'s 55-80, have cards to trade or buy. let me know if you can help

[Jwkeen]

Just got last card to finish my 52 Topps set and my run of base sets from 1951-2011.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by Jwkeen

Just got last card to finish my 52 Topps set and my run of base sets from 1951-2011.

Congrats! Which card was the final card?

[irv]

Originally Posted by Jwkeen

Just got last card to finish my 52 Topps set and my run of base sets from 1951-2011.

Great accomplishment!

Also, like was already asked, what was that last card that you needed?

I assume, based on your post it wasn't Mick or Mathews?

Was it Campanella?

Edit: I change my guess to Bartirome

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Jwkeen

Just got last card to finish my 52 Topps set and my run of base sets from 1951-2011.

That is AWESOME!!! What was your last card?

[baseballfan]

Originally Posted by Jwkeen

Just got last card to finish my 52 Topps set and my run of base sets from 1951-2011.

Great accomplishment!!!!!!

Congrats

[Big Six]

With the addition of Mr. Turley, down to 9 needed for my ‘54 Topps set...




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[orioles70]

1 card to go on my 1957 Topps set...and it is the last card in the set...#407 Mantle/Berra

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[jason.1969]

Just finished 1978 Topps with these two adds. May still upgrade my Eddie Murray but happy to be done at the moment!

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[bnorth]

Thanks to a trade with member pwang100 I am down to needing 4 for to finish my 1955 Bowman set. I still need #'s 242(Banks), 291, 293, and 307.

I got this Frank Malzone.

[Big Six]

I’m down to six cards for my ‘54 Topps set after grabbing these two...



I still need both Williams, Mays, Aaron, Kaline and Banks...though I already have Banks and Kaline in lower grade SGC examples. Probably shooting for PSA 6 for all by Aaron...I’ll probably do the best centered PSA 5 for Aaron.


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[vintagebaseballcardguy]

I can't argue against your points about graded cards being safer, especially when buying online. The significant cards in my sets will almost always be graded. However, the rest of the set will be ungraded and in the binder. I am actually including the graded members of the set in the binder process now. I just have to use different pages for the graded key cards. It is a reasonable compromise. If I had to sell the set, the keys are graded.

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[Big Six]

Down to needing only Aaron and Williams #1...I’ll be damned if this shouldn’t be more than a PSA 5.



And not sure if I posted my Williams # 250...



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[jiw98]

Slowly getting to the end of my 1955 Bowman baseball set. Six more and done.
68, 179, 238, 242, 270, 310.

[Big Six]

Just need to add Hank Aaron...that will be a 2019 goal...




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