Great high number pick ups! For those that have completed the 55 Bowman set know what a nightmare getting that Smalley and a few others are to get. NICE!

Great Billy! 66 High numbers are my favorite to thumb through...I've built that set twice and I swear I remember each purchase and the stories that go with each card. That Billy is a classic...nice centered version as well...

Wow...anytime anyone acquires this card it should be a mandatory thread all of its own! That is a super cool 1...nicely done.

This is my key December pickup and maybe for months after that. I don't buy the grader; I buy the card, and I have been looking for this as I upgrade my 1960 Topps set. Trying to get all the key cards (and some personal favorites) in no less than a graded 6 and preferably a 7, with the commons and such at NM + or -. Not high end, but higher end. This will be my last big project given my age and lack of interest by the kids.

I had CSG grade some 52 Bowmans this year and they came back tough but fair, so I thought this was worth a shot. Card looks very good, good centering. There's a touch on the lower right-hand corner that cost it some. But it cost me $100 less than the current PSA 6 rate, and that's not including the half-point grade for safety. Maybe the upper deck black isn't quite as stark as my raw version. But I'll take my raw Mays, Clemente, etc and send them to PSA if and whenever things change, and that'll help underwrite the upgrade of the remaining cards, Banks, Gibson and Musial being the major ones left.

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Hi Al,

Centering is my "thing" the set is pretty well centered but not all quite as nice as the Aaron. BTW - great looking Williams!

December Pickup Thread
 

Very happy with this low grade Aaron that looks fantastic. A card I never thought I’d own again…

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3 new additions to my 52 Topps collection that arrived today.
14 to go now. :)

Nice pickups, Dale. I didn't realize you were getting so close to completing the set. Good luck finding the last 14.

Thanks, Jay.

Things come in spurts to me it seems. I can go months without purchasing any, then bam, out of nowhere, I'll find 3 to 5.

Last major purchase of 2021 for me
 

I just completed a deal for a 1973 Topps Baseball Complete set with Frazier (Net54 member). It should be here by the end of this week.

I am happy to have this set as it fills a gap that I've had for a while now.

I have also decided to stop my Topps complete set run at 2001. So from 1969 to 2001 is gonna do it for me. It is hard for me to go back any further unless a great trade deal comes along as it is out of my funding range and going forward to 2025 is no longer appealing to me. Too much money for players that are way too recent for me to chase after.

Now I need to finish my 72 Topps set and that will complete the run for me. I am at 80% completion now and expect to finish this set in 2022. Then I will focus on Senators and other items (error cards for the sets I have.) that interest me. No more complete set chasing.

Here is a picture of the Schmidt rookie that my new set will accompany. I'm jazzed to be adding this to my collection. Thanks Frazier!

Happy to finally pick up a 56 Clemente, spot on centering and color on this one.
_

Congrats on the latest pickups Dale, they look great. Your 14 to go number is looking great too.

Man, for an owner of two PSA 9OC Williams high numbers, I tip my hat to you and that centering. Suh-weet!!!!

Here is my Christmas 'Goose' (thank you, I'll be here all week)...

Attachment 495010

And I was psyched to grab a pair of impossible-to-find-centered 1972 'In Action' cards...

Attachment 495011

Amazing card, centering looks dead on.

Thanks Larry.

13 to go now with this recent purchase that isn't in hand yet. Just hoping this card, once I receive it, is as nice as it looks in the scans?

December Pickup Thread
 

Ending '21 on a bang with this guy I traded for yesterday at the LCS. Not perfect obviously, but it's got that color pop and fairly nice surface / image quality - and fits nicely in my collection. Honestly, I expect this probably to be the last big thing for quite a while. With tax laws for selling changing next week, the way my ongoing collection is funded is going to have to undergo some change - and given some of my purchase habits in the last 5 years, it's probably past time for a bit of a sabbatical anyway.

Happy New Year!

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I love how the Red Sox cartoon is swinging his bat right next to Ted on this one. The '55 may be the best Topps Williams card...

No argument from me. It was the first Williams I ever owned and has always been my favorite (edging out the 1954 #250, which has the same portrait anyway but not as well designed).

The 1955 and 1956 are two favorites of mine. Really classic cards and I’m so thrilled to own them both. 12 year old me would be VERY impressed. :D