New Vintage Collector - 1956 Topps HOF'ers
 

Hello all,

I got back into collecting in early 2018 and have been collecting more modern cards over the past 4 years. I have grown increasingly frustrated with the never ending supply of ultra modern cards. With that said, I have made the switch to vintage. The first set I have decided to start are the 1956 Hall of Famers. I look forward to posting my progress here and discussing!

Starting off with an Al Kaline

https://www.collectorfocus.com/image...opps-al-kaline

Good luck with the hunt, it's one of my favorite post-war sets. I love the great combination of portraits and action shots on the same card.

Nice choice. For my money, the '56 set is the best thing Topps ever produced. Timeless!

As I looked through all the 50's sets this one just stood out for that very reason. I am so intrigued by the set and the players.

The more I learn and see, I could not agree more.

Have some for sale
 

I have been on the pursuit of building a master set with all variations. With that being said I have gotten many extras I cuold part with. Let me know if you are interested in them.

There are so many reasons to love the 1956s. It's a really nice transition set. It's the last year of plus-sized cards. You see the end of the careers of Monte Irvin, Phil Rizzutto, Bob Feller, and Jackie Robinson, but Aaron, Banks, Koufax and Clemente are just getting started.

I think it's the most complete 1950s set, being the year after the Topps/Bowman wars ended, which means Mantle and Campanella come back after several years as a Bowman exclusive player.

1956 is also a reasonably affordable set. Unlike 1955 (which has a very similar checklist), there are no bank-breaking rookie cards. Even the Mantle is available to a patient collector.

Topps 1956 effort was, IMHO, their best of the decade. The colors, details, action shots and portraits all come together in that issue. I had slowly accumulated a pile of the cards starting in the 1980s and finally decided to jump in the deep end and chase the set, completing it in 2017.

One of my favorite Topps sets of all time, and like one poster above said, a good mix of older and newer stars of the time.

And to paraphrase Leon, every thread could use more cards (not mine):

https://images.pristineauction.com/1...uction.com.jpg

I just completed the set about 2 weeks ago. As many have already stated, I think it’s the single greatest set Topps ever produced, when looking at the set as a whole. Sure, no “A” list rookie cards, but the HOF checklist is unrivaled and the design is flawless. Putting the set together was the most fun I’ve ever had collecting.

Once you decide to go beyond the HOFers and tackle the entire set (which I’m sure you will - how can you not?!) you’ll find that there are great deals to be had on bulk commons, either from this board or from some of the large online sellers. Enjoy and good luck!

It's a great set. The Clemente is one the nicest Topps cards IMO

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Clemente.jpg

it also has the final appearance of Mays' classic portrait

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...pps%20Mays.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...pps%20Mays.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Mays%201.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ps%20Aaron.jpg

I love hearing all the stories and seeing all the cards!

Nice looking Mr. Tiger (Al Kaline). Look forward to following your journey.

In honor of our two newers HOFers:

https://caimages.collectors.com/psai...s125Minoso.jpg https://caimages.collectors.com/psai...s145Hodges.jpg

Classic
 

Classic set, here's my Jackie.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fca7f59e_h.jpgimg940 by Patrick Noll

As everyone else has been saying, great choice for a set to start with. The '56 Topps set was also the first vintage set I started, and completed. I originally chose it as it was the year I was born.

Congrats also on making the decision to go from modern to vintage card collecting. I don't think you'll be disappointed, and may look back at this as a very smart move many years from now. And just wait till the pre-war collecting bug finally bites you.........

My wife is a patient woman, I may test that patience haha.

Card #2 is Hammerin Hank.

https://www.collectorfocus.com/image...pps-hank-aaron

Love it and love this set, so iconic!!!!

Great first couple pickups!! Here are a few i love of Koufax

https://i.ibb.co/xhWwJjR/5-A1-FA61-E...-CAA741448.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/6mSjVzP/788-AD515-E...FB2-E83-B7.jpg

Just show her some of the stories and articles out there about the card market and the investment opportunities. And then say you're looking to diversify your retirement portfolio. With luck she'll buy it. LOL

I think you made a solid choice. 1956 Topps present beautifully.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0cb7cf7f_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e7edb044_z.jpg

(not a HOF, but a great player)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6074f4fd_z.jpg

Interesting
 

I've been slowly collecting this set since the late 1970's (I take my time).

The back of the cards are second to none. Interesting that there have been no comments about this.

Sy Berger once mentioned that Comic Bool illustrators were used to draw the cartoons on the backs.

Check the art work detail and information on the card back of a common guy like George Zuverink.

A little lazy, though. C'mon, Carl, slide!!!!!

Probably my favorite Topps set as well. If you're going for all of the hall of famers, don't forget about the two league presidents. They're not nearly as nice as the player cards, but if you want to be complete ....

Seriously, Carl!

Million watt smile

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Great choice, I absolutely love the '56 set, Topps best work IMO. I few of my favorites from the set.