nevermind

Why not? Interesting idea for a thread. Two iconic sets, both well designed and popular, each with a card lusted after even by those outside the hobby. T206 probably is more widely collected but I can't really say for sure, that's just a hunch.

I'll never have a set of either, but I do have more T 206 than 52's.

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are more T206 than 52's.

In my original post
 

I was inquiring about whether the 1952 topps set is the post-war equivalent of T206. Similarities, differences, etc.

'52 is easier
 

I was able to finish a mid grade set of the topps set in under 3 years waiting for a better deal than a must have bid purchase. Don't have more than a half dozen t206 but that set is not completable in the strictest sense of the word. The t206 set is more desirable based on the attainable cards alone like the Cobbs; the Topps set is a great looking set with outstanding players but will never have the luster the t206 set has. The Topps set is to the post war crowd what the T206 set is to prewar collectors. Can't go wrong either way.

'52 Topps Vs. T206
 

This was a good question. I think a comparison can be made for it being the post-war equivalent. Instead of collecting all the variations in a T206 set, collecting & completing all the variations of the '52 Topps set will be almost as challenging. For example, how many of the Campos Red Star / Black star variations exist? Only a couple exist, I imagine. And how many people have ever finished a set of mid-series (#131-190) Canadian gray back variations? Has anyone ever finished a complete master set (Ted Z this is for you)?

Mich Wheat

I thought it was a good question too. No reason to delete it.

The baseball card industry (printing, not collecting) has never been a straight line chart. It has always been a series of fits and starts. But in my mind, there have always been four iconic sets that started off each spurt in the industry: 1) Old Judge (N172), 2) T206, 3) 1933 Goudey, and lastly, 4) 1952 Topps.

Jim VB, don't forget...
 

you need to add
#5) 1987 Topps (for ushering in the new modern age of truly overprinted cards)

good list, great question. My official on-topic response is: yes. 1952 is the modern equivqalent of the T206 set, for all the reasons listed in prior posts

Actually Jason, I consider the change you reference to have occured a little later. I think the next set that "changed" the card industry was the 1989 Upper Deck set. That really raised the bar in terms of quality.

But... by then the overprinting you reference was so prevalent that those years will never be rare or iconic.

Jim, fair point...
 

and I totally agree with the Upper Deck comment.

So would you say perhaps 1988 or 1990 Donruss instead of 1987 topps for overprinting?
Certainly 1988 Donruss or 1990 topps seemed tied for setting a new low for quality...

Oh no. I think you were correct and the overprinting began with the 1987 Topps.