Glad to hear you're making good progress, John. I need to get refocused and concentrate on finishing my low number run instead chasing and spending my money on variations and other cards that I don't necessarily need.

Post up picks when you can. I know I like seeing them as I'm sure many others do as well. :)

Thanks Irv!

I'm sure most of you saw all those high numbers up for auction last night. I spewed bids all over (most ended at around the same time, which made tracking your progress and sniping a mess).

I'm ok with the three I won (for the price), but it was nothing to write home about. The typical story for acquiring these in the current market for them

Truthfully, with my recent Sain/Page error purchase and the CDN dollar in the absolute crapper, I am not even watching anymore. I purchased a card on the cheap about 5 days ago after my Sain purchase and I'm regretting even doing that. :mad:

I hadn't really bought anything but '52 T since I started going after the set, but that's mostly because I'd already filled most of my general wish list I expected to get anytime soon (rather than ironclad willpower or focus!)

Did pick up something different tonight though....finally got the Mantle. '68 Mantle that is. Always liked the look of the '65 and '68 Micks, so those were a backburner thing for when I happened to bump into something worthwhile. Tonight that happened with a Greg Morris nice low grade '68. One of those bids that you never expected to hold up, and consider it a nice surprise when "pay now" is your next fee-bay bell message

He had a couple more disastrous '68 Mantles up too. For GM stuff, mine would have usually gone for about 70-75 bucks and those beaters for 50-55 each. But tonight, mine went for 52 and the beaters 33 and 46.

He also faced Gehrig and DiMaggio. The only pitcher to have faced all four of them...

Wow. Who would have ever guessed anyone would have faced all 4 of those HOF's.

Thanks for sharing! :)

I was offered a Connor McDavid foil card last night, that I had been watching for a while, for half price so I jumped on it.
When I paid, I seen the CDN dollar, through PayPal, was at .67 cents! :eek:
Needless to say, my purchases from U.S. sellers is going to stop/cease for a while until this covid situation passes and the stock market/CDN dollar improves.
I was purchasing quite a few hockey cards from CDN sellers lately and I think that is what I will continue to do but I am also going to slow down with those as well until things recover.

Used some of this downtime to make a better log and organize more. Realized that there are two '52s that I just cannot use, and one that was accidentally duped.

As I went more meticulously through these, I found that I am plenty satisfied with the overall presentation factor/eye appeal of the set so far.

The average condition of the stars/high numbers is 4.2, and it's 2.5 for the commons. Close to what I'd assumed. Graded by both TPGs and my own fairly critical eye (not ebay "grades") ;) Estimated each resale value too, not BVs.

All this confirms the so far, so good feel I've had about it all. It's nice to feel some positivity in the midst of everything, even for something that obviously pales in comparison to what's important in the world at the moment.

Total cost so far: $2740. Total resale value: $3795

109/407

I'd never looked at your set. The condition of those :eek:

No wonder it was tough to find the Mantle or Mathews for that one.

Did you really stop pressing on with it in December 2014?

A quarantined '52 T set builder's thoughts from a typical night on ebay:

- "There's that grade 2.5 Duke Snider for 90 bucks 'ending' again. For the 804th time this week. May wanna second guess the price buddy"

- "How many cards out of that lot do I need? 4 out of 6. Usually 4 of 6"

- "Oooo a Matthews is up today. Maybe I should finally give it a shot. Not what I really expected to get, but they'll never get any easier to find, so maybe I better not be picky about him. Ok I'll bid. Hmm outbid already"

- "Where is Hoyt? His cards dance away more than his knuckleball did"

And, as always for most of us....

- "I've never seen a finish line that seems so far away as getting all the high numbers"

Just looking at a $1,499 Mathews just now equates to $2,111 CDN. Add the $34 U.S. shipping ($48 CDN) and that card would cost me $2,159 dollars! :eek:
Like I mentioned in a previous post, I will be waiting for a while yet on any further U.S. sales, unfortunately, but I'm glad to read you're still picking away, John. :)

Who is collecting their set all graded, or all raw or a combination?

At this point, most of what I am getting is pretty much all raw, except for a few here and there that have been graded (which are HOF's or High numbers)

I don't know for uniformity if I am going to crack the slabs and have it all raw, or just leave them how they are.


Who here is storing their set in a binder, who is using card savers/top loaders?

Hi Jason.

Like the bold, that is exactly what I am doing, only the slabbed/graded cards I have are not, for the most part, HOF's.

I am currently storing my less valuable cards in a metal case that is likely very similar to a large camera case. They are either in sleeves and top loaders or in the card savers 2's they came in. I normally transfer them from the card savers and place them in sleeves and top loaders, but I still have quite a few I haven't gotten around to yet.

I have cracked a few of my graded cards, namely my Beckett's, as I didn't like the way they scanned but truth be told now, I regret doing that as they would have likely been easier to sell in the future?

How far along are you on your set and are you looking to purchase any? I have approx 16 dupes that are rough, as in creased/wrinkled/dinged corners, OC, etc, but also about 6 that are just OC mainly but in VG-EX condition.

I also have 2 PSA graded ones as well. A PSA VG-3 Richie Ashburn and a PSA good 2 in Billy Johnson if you are interested?

I'm collecting in raw and graded in a slew of holders. Upgrading along the way and one day it will be all PSA 3s and 4s. Just easier to sell that way one day, whether it's me or my kin.


Plucked two Highs from the remaining 16 or so in my sigline, but still need plenty of upgrades.


I have a batch at psa of 41 cards which mostly will come back mostly 4s and a few a little nicer that will go for sale.

I have graded hughs in a med flat rate box, graded others in 2 long boxes, and finally have raw in top loaders in a 3rd long box

I've started to collect the '52s. Had about 50 already and decided to take the plunge, though only into the shallow end (low numbers) of the pool.

I'm collecting them raw (VGish) and will be putting them in an album.

I have a roughly 50/50 combination of raw and graded at this point. I have 165/310 for the low numbers, but all the big cards PSA or SGC graded 5-6 range. I'm now filling in the gaps where I can raw or graded, solely looking at card appeal and relative cost. I've been working with a few members on here lately filling numbers on my list with nice raw lots.

Regarding storage, just been filling shoe boxes with majority. My big cards go in heat/water resistant safes with some desiccant bags.

What if Mick was #310, instead of #311?

Where would the market be?

That is an interesting question!

I'm getting a combination of raw/graded (not much of a factor in my choices). The better the card, the more likely I've ended up with a graded one. One of the few things where this set has been no different than others!

Top loaders and the usual storage boxes. Not a fan of binders, regardless of something's value.

Too much quarantine buying for this lately :rolleyes:

A bunch of commons/minors, a lower grade Snider, and four PSA 1.5 high numbers. The finish line for the low numbers is easy to see, as I now have more than half of them (with just Pafko and Spahn being the only cards of any relevance left).

But the high numbers. Yup.

The four that I just picked up were barely worth it. If that. I was happy paying what I did for the few slabbed grade 3ish ones a few weeks ago, but this was a little different. Need to slightly reassess this balance of need the card/tough to get/maybe the market for them is still going up that fast/but am I still overpaying.

Whenever I see the occasional Jackie R or Mathews go up, a winning bid hasn't come quite close enough to happening yet. Either the card just isn't nice enough to pay "that" for it, or someone else wanted it more at the moment. That could change at any time, but I'm in no hurry.

The Mantle though.....could anyone feel that comfortable paying current market price for it, with how our economy's future could be at the moment?

Holding on for the ride.

183/407

Regarding the Mantle, i have the same feeling as you. $10k for an A is ridiculous in the current state of the economy. Like all other extras or luxury items, these prices will be affected. I would much rather stay liquid or invest that kind of money elsewhere. I was close to pulling the trigger on a PSA 2 a few months back, but no way I'd consider that now.

For the '52 T experts out there: what's going on with this lot?

There must be some rare variations or something I'm not aware of (to be at $350)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-TOPPS-...A&LH_Auction=1

If the tiger on the Frank House card is yellow, that would be a rare variation of that card.

Snagged 2 High's this week. Down to out 14 more...then upgrades

Ah, I see the tiger closeups in the extra pics now.

Thanks!

Instead of being down to 14 left, I have about 14 of them :D

With just Shuba being the highest BV. Hopefully I will land a big one soon so that it's not always feeling like you're right at the starting gate (of such a lengthy venture)

Hey but each 1, is a little over 1% closer!

Even with ebay bucks and coupons hi #s are pricey

What I have been doing is just keeping an eye on the best deals for the individual high numbers... just being patient. whenever I see one just pull the trigger (I know this was discussed before, and I think it's a good idea)

Also, i know there are some auctions coming up with some lots of 12 to 14 high number cards in them, I think these would be good buys if you can get a good deal on the lot. I know for me personally I need about 90 percent of the high numbers yet, and noticed there is rarely a card that I have in some of these lots.

Hi Jason, those "auction lots" (including the one for 40 highs) are just about past what each individual card would sell for! I'm not sure what to make of it.


Always try to keep an eye out for well priced ones, but many eyes are on them! Not to mention danman7 or whoever that "sells" the same high numbers each week...to the same buyer with FOUR feedback!

That's what I've been doing with the high numbers too. Still waiting to snag a bigger name one.

Didn't see those auctions that you're referring to though?

Milestone reached: now halfway through the set!

Latest additions were more commons/minors and some high numbers (up to 13 of those)

Name cards still remaining: Pafko, Spahn, and every meaningful high #.

Avg condition:

Low number big cards: 4.1
Low number commons: 2.5
High number commons: 2.6

Total cost: $4260. Total resale value: $5420

204/407

One major auction going on right now that ends next Sunday, and another one coming up that starts May 15th. I know there are several lots of 1952 Highs. Like Ted mentioned very strong prices so far.

BTW, congrats on getting to the half way point!

This is exactly the type of Mantle I'd ideally like to get (though I don't expect to actually land anything this nice) But it's so hard to pull the trigger at the moment, especially when it's pwcc or probstein. And I don't want to spend this much on one. Even with a price this good.

But if anywhere else was selling it, would have been very tempting

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-...d/383489552810

And the highs just continue to evade me.

Had two on my list last night

one probably G, well oc sold in minutes BIN 79.99

Another psa 1. Centered $74 and change

Another with back damage over 100!


No relief in this environment!

Thanks for the inspiration. Decided to take the plunge. Will be a long project but fun. First pickups. The Fitzgerald Gerald and Brazil’s are pretty solid. Not gonna be overly picky but want them decent. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...84ff2784b5.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If the rest of your set ends up like those cards, the condition and cost will be even more varied than mine.

Fitz Gerald and Brazle: condo $
The other three: shack $

Was looking on the 'Bay for some 1952 and ran across this Spahn.


In the listing, the seller calls this out as a reprint (twice), but I don't know if I would have caught that just looking at the picture/scan. Pretty good fake - or am I missing something?

40 card lot now "absurdly priced" in the auction that wint be outed

Offered on a raw "possible psa 2" oc 60/40 high number, rounded like a freaking playing card corners, sold for 134.50


Slow and steady, and still need mantle and mathews along with Hugh's in sig line

Have a bib kelly f-g fst

Congrats on that high number just now. I decided just to go after that lot with Staley and Shantz. They had eluded me.

At this point I'm considering putting up pocket lint from the 1950s and seeing if that one guy bids it up

Some new commons/minors, a couple high #s, and finally found the right Spahn.

That leaves just Pafko to pay attention to (for the low numbers).

I'm surprised that card has gotten so expensive in low grade. Sure it's going to be worth well more than a typical common (even as a beater), but 20-25 times seems pretty excessive.

224/407

Three very experienced bidders shoving each other all over (in the final few seconds) to drive an already overpriced '52 T Billy Martin PSA 1 w/ a bullet hole up to $90?

https://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/13...p2047675.l2565

:confused:

People thinking it's a rare "gray back"


2 Highs last night

Bid $8 over average sales before sales tax implemented, lost by 8$


Other with terrible back damage went close to 60$

It looks like a white back to me? And PSA didn't designate it as a gray back

I'm not really all that surprised by the final price on that card as I have truthfully seen worse shaped cards go for similar or higher prices.

Tough card to find centered, (not saying it is centered, but I've seen a lot worse) tough/expensive card normally, it is slabbed and overall, despite the pin hole, it is not a bad card for someone on a budget.

Just my opinion, of course, but if I was still participating in U.S. auctions and our dollar was more equal/on par, I might have likely bid on that card as well?

It still seems a bit off to me though, especially since that bidding at the very end didn't look like the typical budget-oriented collectors going after it.

Then I wondered if it was somehow a restoration project, but even though the corners/edges look great, the upper-left keeps it from being pristine.

I dunno. Maybe prices are inching up too.

This is what I got for mine in mid-March. It seemed like a more standard pretty good deal for set building....$102 for a typical 4

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-...C/402134526736

Just guessing, does look like a white back. Pretty nice other than the hole!

Yeah, there could be something more that, especially since you were watching it all unfold before you.

Truthfully, I think you did very well on the 4 you won. I no longer bid on anything from PWCC and rarely watch anymore, but that's a nice score, imo.

Curious, John, what does shipping show for you or how much did you pay for shipping? "One" of the reasons for me for no longer bidding is their crazy/expensive shipping fees. For me, your card would have cost me $35 U.S. to have that card shipped to me. $35 U.S. equates to $50ish for me.

I hate using pwcc or probstein too, and don't very often. And never would for a cadillac card. But for a 100 dollar PSA 4, occasionally I'll bite the bullet.

Shipping was five bucks. Their rates are always a little high, but it's not too drastic for Americans. Charging that much to send to Canada though? You can barely fight the collecting (or especially buy & sell) war with those amounts. Like having one hand tied behind your back

It certainly is. I've seen sales end, like one recently from Probstein, where the card sold for $14 dollars but his shipping, at that time, was also $35 dollars.

Like I mentioned in that post, I would have jumped all over that card as I think it undersold, or undersold compared to what I would have paid, but his shipping fees nipped that thought right in the bud.

I mainly stick with one U.S. seller, who, until recently, was only charging $3.00 dollars to ship, but with the CDN dollar still in the crapper, I have been sticking lately with just purchasing cards from Canada.

Some more commons/minors picked up.

A lot of my remaining low numbers are the 251-310 series. I'm surprised that the first series commons still have a higher SMR. Those have been pretty easy.

244/407

There was a nice uptick in those cards recently and posted in SMR. I am not sure how often or how accurate they update or follow sales, but that was what I noticed when I recently viewed the site for the first time in a long time.

Following some of the previous GM sales a while ago, I also thought some cards did very very well but most were EX/EX+ and most very well centered.

Added a few commons/minors and a few high numbers. Figured an overall update would fit around any time a new 10% more threshold is hit. At least until it's basically all high numbers left, or when major cards are picked up.

Now at just over 60% completion, it's becoming more of a set-to-be to flip through. I'm glad that I have this mix of grade 1.5-5. Naturally it makes the cost a lot more reasonable to use lower grade cards, but these non-beaters still show well since the minor to mediocre creases and so-so corners aren't as obvious in the topholders (you know how it goes). Plus all of the grade 4-5 low number HOFers in it makes you feel like there's plenty of decent quality that's nicer than "low" grade, too.

Still need Pafko and 78 of the 97 highs, including all the key high #s

Avg condition:

Low number big cards: 4.2
Low number commons/minors: 2.5
High number commons: 2.7

Total cost: $5350. Total resale value: $7030

251/407

2 1952 topps lots ended on ebay this week with High's which were not advertised. Both sold for extreme amounts, well over what highs have been in the past. Maybe more people searching as they were at home?

I saw those but didn't break them down too much while they were up, cause I didn't really need much of it other than Nuxhall and like you said, the lots were no bargain regardless.

Pecking away so slowly at the high numbers. The lots, regardless of whether it was those, the recent big REA ones, or whatever, just don't help out much. Even the smallest "bulk" discount seems to rarely exist in the world of the highs or the rare complete sets out there

Yep I'm not sure what it is, but it doesn't follow what I've experienced. I know SMR will never be close to ideal, but these are more off than I would've expected. And it's the same with the semis as the commons. Like this snapshot (grade 5 prices):

268 Bob Lemon (HOF) 55
277 Early Wynn (HOF 55
3 Hank Thompson 50
7 Wayne Terwilliger 50
9 Bobby Hogue 50
15 Johnny Pesky 50
22 Dom DiMaggio 50
57 Ed Lopat 50
79 Gerald Staley 50
80 Herman Wehmeier 50
243 Larry Doby (HOF) 50
246 George Kell (HOF) 50

Those low series were mostly easy and pretty cheap. but I haven't come close to finding the Lemon or Wynn that I wanted, and no Kell or Doby yet either even though they aren't semi-highs.

Doby especially commands a higher price. Understandably you'll pay twice as much for him in my grade range as just about every other $50 low series one there, which are all treated as bottom level commons except for maybe a shade more for Dimaggio and Pesky.

So a neighbor thread got me taking pics (which I rarely do).

But it was already time to include some visuals here by now.

Here's a couple snapshots of most of the best stuff from this one so far, along with the rest of the set up to #100:

https://i.imgur.com/49mkMd7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hNS10NC.jpg

Curious if people/a person might be pumping up these high numbers.


Anyone lose auctions to a high bidder with about 500 feedback masked ID 6**6? Seller has told me "bidder contacted me and said his son bid by accident" not true as he is a known 52 collector amd reseller.


Since I wasnt good enough to be a real cop, I'll just be a message board/Ebay cop instead!

Nice looking collection so far, John. :)

Thanks Dale. It's coming along well so far. Now if I can just find a Mantle and other high #s sitting around in my dad's old house

lol :D

I see those on eBay all of the time. Lots of houses where someone finds just the mantle.

Funny how that works eh (those and "estate find so we don't know if it's real" Mantles).

Mentioned this once before in some other thread, but my grandmother actually did find an old Mantle and a Whitey Ford of my dad's about 30 years ago. For no reason whatsoever, she gave the Mantle to my aunt's son (who didn't even like sports) and the Ford to me.

The Ford was a '53 Topps in FR-GD condition. I still have it. Never saw the Mantle at all. I'm sure it disappeared soon after, and my cousin has no memory of ever getting it.

Have always just assumed that Mantle was also a '53. Since the thought that I could've actually had the cliche "'52 Topps Mantle from dad's childhood collection" isn't fun.

Hopefully it was one of the topps checklists with mantle’s picture on it!

Mathews!

Struck a deal on this PSA 3 for 2800. The last clean PSA 3 sale was 2700 from a pwcc auction in late March, and I think mine may be a little nicer.

Never noticed before that if you accept an offer outside of Ebay's initial "best offer" setting, the sold listings only show the beginning BIN price (overstating the sale).

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NpsAA...Ns/s-l1600.jpg

Wow! That's a big one off the list, John.

Congrats. :)

Awesome find and card. Now break it out of that psa prison :)

Jackie too today.

From a member here. A deal that was equally fair to both sides. Also a lot of the remaining low number commons/minors picked up from a couple other members.

I may be outta control ;)

The next completion update after I get everything organized is going to look a lot different than the last one!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...aea67ee2_b.jpg

Very nice day! You'll be going for the Master set by the fall and then on to the grey backs.

https://i.imgur.com/GsuYUBG.jpg

Got my Mantle
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YlIAA...QC/s-l1600.jpg

(I'm not that out of control. Yet)

You can enter the item number on this site and get the actual price: http://www.watchcount.com/

Not sure I understand about what an offer outside of Best Offer means though?

Thanks for the tip!

I meant that instead of the listing having the option to make a best offer, when you write a seller a general message to discuss a possible offer instead (and then they send you an initial offer on their own)

Ah, got it. I doubt Watchcount can track that unless you agree the final deal you worked out back on the 'bay proper. Watchcount is very useful though for gauging how much of an offer to make. It's saved me a ton over the years.

First, thanks to Ted and Cesar here for helping (mostly) finish off my missing low numbers.

Overall update coming very soon once my last recent order gets here.

Tonight, I came very close to a last minute auction bid on a great looking PSA 1.5 Mantle. But did not pull the trigger. It went for $17,300.

While I would've been satisfied with having that one for my set, it's just not exactly what I picture for it anymore. As this set has filled in, the overall outlook has changed a little. And for a once in a lifetime purchase, it has to fit just right.

The only problem with waiting is (obviously) prices going even higher. But if that happens and it affects what I can get down the road, then so be it. Always been a risk-taker anyway!

The low number set is now complete! Pending the last seven commons/minors that will be here in the next couple days. Close enough to count :) New pics coming after those remaining few are in hand.

Got a nice looking PSA 2.5 Pafko to start out the set. Also picked up Mathews and Jackie Robinson (as shown prior) and a few other new high numbers.

Still need 73 high numbers, including Mantle, Campanella, Reese, Dickey, Wilhelm, and Bartirome. Going to make a small adjustment up in the calculated resale value from some price appreciation that's occurred lately.

Final low number avg condition:

Big cards: 4.0
Commons/minors: 2.6
Total low # cost: $4480

Current high # avg condition:

Big cards: 3.0
Commons/minors: 2.8
High number cost: $6800

Overall recap:

Total cost: $11,280
Total resale value: estimated $15,000 - $16,000

334/407

Updated pics

Graded low numbers:

https://i.imgur.com/1pBc753.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OjIRNwl.jpg

Rest of low number set:

https://i.imgur.com/0bIWYC6.jpg

Jackie R and Mathews:

https://i.imgur.com/V3YJRGl.jpg

Most of the other high numbers:

https://i.imgur.com/PoSo8vb.jpg

Your cards look great, John.

Congrats on your progress so far! :)

So John, Which cards do you like more than you expected (say under rated) and I'm not talking value-wise, mean aesthetics-wise. I like the Zernial: That one is really a cool baseball card. I also like Johnny Mize, while it's a bit dark or brown but you can instantly tell that it's Yankee stadium.

And that Jackie Robinson! I used to think his 56 was his best card, but the red background and smile have changed my opinion on this card which I thought was over rated before.

Of the cards above, I love the look of the Billy Martin. The background is a contrast to the somewhat dark feel that much of the set has.

The other one that always stood out to me was Rocky Bridges (I'll have to flip back through and find more). He seems so happy to be taking a classic swing with the light sky in the background. Reminds me of my summer carefree playing days.

https://i.imgur.com/S0XkIWx.jpg

A slightly important package got here this morning. Looked it over, took a pic. Just held it for a minute. Then straight to the safe deposit box!

Am still in awe:

https://i.imgur.com/3VOMVuf.jpg