1954 Topps...Countdown to Completion
 

I have been working on a 1954 Topps set for about three years and of the 250 cards that make up the set, I'm down to what's listed below that I still need. With only a couple exceptions, all cards are at least PSA 7 or better with no qualifiers. The few 6 and 6.5 cards I have will get updated at a later date since they were raw cards I picked up and had slabbed...

As I make a purchase, I'll cross it off the list and once it's in hand, I'll edit the list accordingly to reflect only those cards still needed.

Here is the list of what's left...

1 Ted Williams
51 Johnny Lindell
52 Vic Power
60 Frank Baumholtz
61 Bob Cain
63 Johnny Pesky
64 Hank Thompson
65 Bob Swift
66 Ted Lepcio
67 Jim Willis
68 Sam Calderone
69 Bud Podbielan
70 Larry Doby
71 Frank Smith
72 Preston Ward
74 Bill Taylor
75 Fred Haney
76 Bob Scheffing
78 Ted Kazanski
80 Jackie Jensen
81 Dave Hoskins
85 Bob Turley
90 Willie Mays
92 Wally Westlake
93 Sid Hudson
94 Ernie Banks
100 Bob Keegan
106 Dick Kokos
107 Duane Pillette
115 Rip Repulski
116 Steve Bilko
120 Roy McMillan
124 Marion Fricano
125 Harry Perkowski
128 Hank Aaron
129 Spook Jacobs
130 Hank Bauer
134 Cal Hogue
135 Joe Presko
136 Connie Ryan
147 John Riddle
154 Mike Fornieles
155 Bob Kennedy
156 Joe Coleman
157 Don Lenhardt
159 Dave Philley
161 Johnny Hetki
162 Herm Wehmeier
168 Morrie Martin
170 Dusty Rhodes
172 Hal Brown
174 Tom Qualters
175 Frank Leja
177 Bob Milliken
178 Bill Glynn
182 Chuck Harmon
184 Ed Bailey
189 Bob Ross
199 Rocky Nelson
201 Al Kaline
207 Tom Oliver
211 Don Hoak
212 Mickey Micelotta
213 John Fitzpatrick
216 Al Sima
218 Fred Marsh
222 Bill Wilson
227 Buster Mills
232 Lou Limmer
234 Jerry Lynch
236 Paul Penson
242 Curt Roberts
250 Ted Williams

It's a little disheartening that I need so many of the big cards for this set, but I plan to do those last...

My next big goal is to get under 75 cards left, so that appears right around the corner...I'm pretty excited to get this set finished and hope no one minds that I post about it here...

I don't mind! Good luck with the rest!

I don't mind either...'54 is a great set! I imagine some of those HoFers in PSA7 are gonna sting a little, but that must be one impressive looking set!

Good luck!

Regards,

Richard.

An Oldis I picked up last week just arrived via USPS...still need 111 cards.

Love that set, Matt. Good luck, and keep us posted.

110 to go...
 

A tough card for me to track down in PSA 7...#35 Junior Gilliam.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...junior-gilliam

Tough in my experience...
 

I still need to get the major cards for this set (Williams x 2, Kaline, Banks & Aaron), but there are some cards I've had a very difficult time tracking down in PSA 7 or 7.5 holders...and examples in PSA 8 slabs are out of my price range...among them are:

13 Billy Martin
70 Larry Doby
101 Gene Woodling
121 Clem Labine
170 Dusty Rhodes
227 Buster Mills
245 Roy Sievers

I'm sure they are out there and patience will be the key, but these have been tough so far...

I would have counted Junior Gilliam and the O'Brien brothers card in this list, too, but I recently picked them up...

The Gene Woodling is one of the toughest cards in that set to find centered. Looks like you already have Ben Wade, which is toughest of all in high grade.

Agreed on Woodling...my Wade is in a PSA 6 slab...we'll see if I ever upgrade it...

108 to go...
 

Harry Dorish and Ray Herbert arrived today...few more due in later this week!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...0-harry-dorishhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...90-ray-herbert

lookin good man keep it up! I've got some coming in for my '54 set too so my thread will be getting some updates before too long. look forward to continuing to see your new pickups!

I really enjoy his thread, and your monthly pickups!
 

I've been keeping an eye on your pickups, I think your building one hell of a set. I really appreciate that your staying focused on high end centered cards, and not just buying the holder. You're going to have a fantastic set once its all said and done. I picked this up off the boards earlier this week.


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/c...aronPSA7-1.jpg


Good Luck on your quest, Keep them coming!

106 to go...
 

Jesus (the mail man) just brought me Milt Bolling and Dave Jolly...I like Jesus!!!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...2-milt-bollinghttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...188-dave-jolly

Thanks so much for the kind words...I plan on sharing them with my wife when she figures out how much this "little project" ends up being...

W.o.w.!!!
 

By the way, that is a great looking Aaron...some day I'll get one of those!!!

A companion piece to my set...
 

I managed to pick this up a few months ago and thought those who are following my progress on the 1954 set would appreciate it...haven't seen any more like this...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...eddie-robinson

apparently there would be a 2/2 with a stain front version...haven't come across it yet, though...

105 to go...
 

Up for your consideration...#123, Mr. Bobby Adams...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...23-bobby-adams

another very nice pickup, keep it up!

103 to go...
 

Glad to add #160 Red Kress and #169 Jim Hughes (how 'bout that yellow background!!!)...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images.../160-red-kresshttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...169-jim-hughes

Should have one more coming in this week...

dang...that's pretty much a textbook "bright bold colors" card isn't it! Had to shield my eyes, lol. keep em comin! :D

102 to go...
 

Mr. Jim Lemon...#103...would have been cool if he left me needing only 103 more cards...oh well!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images.../103-jim-lemon

Busy Sunday night on the Bay...
 

The night started off well enough...picked up three nice commons as the only bidder...this will put me at 99 cards left to go...a major milestone for me! Then I lost a really nice Hodges at the last second...was bidding on my iPad and that was the mistake...it just wasn't fast enough to keep up with the last second flurry of bidding...same thing happened with a PSA 8 Mike Ryba that I thought I would walk away with...oh well. Only 99 more cards to go...not bad.

99 to go...
 

Well...broke through my first major hurdle of getting under 100 cards needed...added Trice, Blyzka & Brodowski to the mix...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images.../148-bob-tricehttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...52-mike-blyzkahttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...dick-brodowski

great pickups man...into double digits left now, keep em comin! I'm enjoying watching this come together. when can we expect to see one of the big dogs drop off the list?

Soon, VinTX, very soon...

98 to go...
 

Joe Jay was the first graduate of the Little League to make it to the Major Leagues...who knew?

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...45/141-joe-jay

96 to go...
 

I think Martin should be in the Hall of Fame...Dittmer, not so much...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...3-billy-martinhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...3-jack-dittmer

Martin was really difficult to track down decently centered AND at a non-obnoxious price...glad to cross him off my list.

HOF or not, those are 2 real nice pickups for your set! Great job, keep it up!

Great pick ups! Keep going, I love seeing great sets like this being built one at a time. Good job! Drew

94 to go...
 

This is the Miami Vice edition...Johnson was apparently also a broadcaster during the off season and Harshman was a hitter turned pitcher a la a reverse Rick Ankiel...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...46-don-johnsonhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...-jack-harshman

actually Ankiel was a pitcher turned hitter...or was that what you meant? ;) 2 more awesome pickups, keep er going!

have you got a "finish date" target that you're trying to hit or just kinda steady as she goes?

At least someone is paying attention...
 

No target date in sight so guess steady as she goes for now. Do have another nice semi-star en route that has been very difficult to track down. More to come...hope your projects are going well, too...Matt

93 to go...
 

Winner of the 1960 Cy Young Award, Vern Law is best known for being the father of everyone's favorite utility infielder, Vance Law...:rolleyes:

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...3/235-vern-law

92 to go...
 

A sharp card of the 1949 Rookie of the Year...a solid career that makes you wonder what he could have accomplished if injuries hadn't struck so oftern...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...45-roy-sievers

91 to go...
 

It amazes me that Hodges isn't in the Hall of Fame...someday I hope...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...102-gil-hodges

nice cards

90 to go...
 

The Moose was an 8-time All Star and 5-time World Champion...and he's a hell of a nice guy, too!

I agree Hodges should've been in the Hall long ago.
A great hitter and a great fielder !

Always wondered about the nickname: was it based on his size or his visage?

don johnson lives like 10 blocks from where i used to work!!! and signed my 54 topps card for me!!!
he just recently returned to new york to be honored along with some other yakees for a anniverser of a championship last year.

i am trying to build a signed 54 set so far i have 20 or so.

Great project...I did a 1952 topps reprint set and got about 150 of the 396 cards signed...was a lot of fun but many players are long gone now or too expensive (mays especially)...good luck!

thanks!!! i love the set alot and yours looks great btw!

Are you still doing that? I bet I can get your Mays reprint signed.

Hey Brendan. Yeah, I tackle it as opportunities present themselves. Dare I ask your connection to Mays? I know he signs infrequently and at about $300 per sig which is way out if my budget...let me know what kind of magic you are practicing...:). Matt

89 to go...
 

Been kind of quiet lately, but had to pick up this Aloma at a steal of a price...nicely centered to boot!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...057-luis-aloma

88 to go...
 

Picked up Grady Hatton at the East Coast National...wonder if Mr. Hatton did indeed become a rancher after retiring from baseball...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...8-grady-hatton

According to Wikipedia Grady is still alive at the ripe age of 88 so it is possible. I actually knew an older man in town that knew Grady Hatton from when he played for the Reds. He probably would have known if he, but unfortunately he passed a few years back.

It's nice to see you have the patience to pick up these cards
at fair prices, or even bargains.
So many start a set and they seem like their in a race to complete
and totally overpay for some of the cards.
Ebay is filled with these types.
I don't think I'd enjoy the set if I bought the cards in bulk.

Thanks for the note...slow and steady supposedly wins the race or so I'm told!

87 to go...
 

Vern Stephens was a REALLY good ball player...my dad used to rave about watching him play when he was with Boston. Anyway, after a lousy couple weeks, lowlighted by Hurricane Irene, finally able to upload one of my winnings from the latest Sterling auction...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...-vern-stephens

86 to go...
 

I had no idea Bob Purkey was a five-time All Star...you apparently do learn something every day...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...202-bob-purkey

You usually learn that kind of stuff when you're trying to buy it. The dealer will say something like, "Well I know what the book value is, but this guy was a 5 time All-Star!" :D:rolleyes:

I think the rule requiring that at least one player from each team was in effect then, and the NL manager probably wanted another arm in his bullpen, so the Buckos got their rep at a time when Clemente, Maz and Groat were still a little too young to beat out more popular guys in the voting. But, hey, what about Roy Face?

83 to go...
 

Just picked up three really tough cards (for me at least) all at once...many thanks to jeff8877 for a smooth transaction...I'm lovin' these!!!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...willie-mirandahttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...-gene-woodlinghttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...21-clem-labine

Interestingly enough...looks like this was during his time with the Reds from 1958-1964...and he gets credit for two All Star appearances in 1961 and 1962 because they played two games in both years...who knew...

76 to go...
 

Been making a lot of progress lately with help from Jeff8877...thanks Jeff. Going to knock down two biggies in the next week or so, too! Can't wait...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...9-howie-pollethttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...3/113-bob-boydhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...0-larry-jansen
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...04-angel-scullhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...33-augie-galanhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...7/240-sam-mele
http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...243-ray-blades

1954
 

Great cards Matt. The 1954 set is one of the only Topps set for which I do not have a single variation. I have a couple of the gray backs ( 1-50) for example purposes only, but do not intend to try finish those.

Thanks Al. I'm kind of happy this set doesn't have any varations...I'm doing a raw 59' set and I'm conflicted if I want to pick those up...I may do the Spahn cards because the other ones don't interest me all that much. Anyway, hope everone is enjoying my set build...starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel! Couple big cards to share in the next week or two...

Nice looking bunch of cards there, Matt. Hey, could Sam Mele twist himself into a pretzel while batting, or what? Maybe joking with the photog who wanted a posed shot?

75 to go...
 

Did you know that on June 24, 2006 he was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame? I sure didn't...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...32-tom-lasorda

Canadian Hall Of Fame
 

Did not even know there was such a thing

74 to go...
 

A big thanks to Jeff (jeff58) for entrusting this one to me...sorry to see him breaking up his beautiful set, but this Jackie looks really nice in mine!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...ackie-robinson

73 to go...
 

Just picked up a very nice PSA 8 of Mike Ryba...every now and again, when the price is right, I'll grab a PSA 8 common to pad my numbers on the set registry...I picked this card up at a great price compared to similar cards in PSA 7 slabs I've seen on eBay...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images.../237-mike-ryba

Really like that card Matt. Every time I see an image of a sharp looking card from the '54 set, I feel like I'm nine years old and trying to get the kid in the schooldesk next to me to fork it over for a couple of cat's eye marbles and a grubby Kelloggs Pep rocketship ring. Maybe that's the reason I have avoided the set to this point, but your posts have me thinking about taking the plunge.

Been a while...
 

I seem to have quite a few sets in various stages of progress...haven't picked up any new 54s lately, but I have updated my want list in the first post of this thread. If you have any nice 54 Topps in PSA 7 (nicely centered, please), feel free to let me know....

i should add now that i added 3 great signed rookies to my set...al kaline, ernie banks..and my personal fave...hank aaron!!!

Care to post pics???

i will try to in the next few days!!! the aaron is so neat..i have it displayed right by my computer!!!!

Let's Play Two!!!
 

Just got back home with Ernie...will likely submit him for grading and surely he'll only pull a 4 from PSA...regardless, love this card.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...94-ernie-banks

that would be a great candidate for signing

70 more to go...
 

Picked up three sharp commons from eBay compliments of The Shoe...getting excited to be making some progress on this set...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...-morrie-martinhttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...ckey-micelottahttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...218-fred-marsh

69 to go...Giggity
 

This Doby card has been a tough one for me to track down centered at a decent price...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...070-larry-doby

68 to go...
 

Many thanks to nolemmings for hooking me up with Mr. Ryan...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...36-connie-ryan

Ryan
 

Great looking card, Matt

65 to go...
 

three more commons bring me a little closer to complete...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...arry-perkowskihttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...47-john-riddlehttp://www.collectorfocus.com/images...7-bob-milliken

63 to go...
 

Really pleased to add the 2nd of the big 3 rookies...for your viewing pleasure...Mr. Al Kaline.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images.../201-al-kaline

He'll get slabbed on Sunday...