Thinking of starting a W554 set

[x2drich2000]

Good afternoon,

I'm currently considering starting another set and the W554 set caught my attention. However, I am not familiar with this set and was hoping I could get some more information regarding this issue. Due to budget constraints, I imagine I would be looking at VG or lower condition. Below are some of the questions I have, but please feel free to add any additional info you may have.

What is the card stock?
Are they condition sensitive?
Any common condition issues?
What is the difference between the B&W and browntone? Are all cards found in both versions? Any premium on either version?
From the checklist it seems Ruth & Gehrig are the two big cards. What is the general fair market value of these two in VG? How about commons?
How difficult are the cards to locate via Ebay or major shows like Philly?
Any individuals that are more scarce than others?

I know that is a lot of questions, just trying to get a better idea of the set and see if it’s actually something to consider pursuing further.

Thanks
dj

[fkw]

It would be a good set to collect, especially to display. The W554 set has the highest % of HOFers of all sets of its size with 13/18 being HOFers and also an O'Doul who should be.

Ive only had maybe 10 of them over the years and all have been the sepia with name at bottom type. I think the B&W ones are really the cards aka R316 5"by7", but Im not sure, maybe some can show a true B&W W554. The SCD Catalog says the W554 are B&W and this should be corrected as they are obviously sepia in most cases.

The stock of the Sepia ones Ive had is sturdy for the size, far thicker than R309-2, R310, R311, R312. The main condition prob would be corners and maybe pinholes, they dont seen to have many big creases but sometimes corner creasing. Most if not all of the images are the same as the R316 group (3 sets), and the smaller W553 and Leader Novelty sets.

The commons can be had in nice shape for under $25 sometimes, and the HOFers sometimes for $35-$50 or slightly more.



edited to correct to 13 HOFers

[Leon]

Nice, inexpensive set to collect. I am not familiar with black and white ones at all. Would love to see one. Also, some of these have neat stamps on the backs of them. regards

[fkw]

Leon your top one is almost B&W, and its the kind w/o the caption on bottom border too. love the back stamps, those are very tough

[lhardem]

Paul Griggs wrote a comprehensive article in Issue #18 of Old Cardbaord magazine, including a full set gallery, display of three different back variations and examples of other sets that use the W554 images. You can see an abstract of Paul's article at www.oldcardboard.com/misc/issue18/issue18.asp.

The W554 Gehrig pose is also found in the 1933 Goudey set. Unless I am mistaken, 13 of the 18 W554 players are now in the HOF.

Lyman

[paul]

Any explanation for this one? It's the size and stock of a W554.