We did it!
 

I hope this is an ok thing to post (and in the right forum). Six years ago, my (then 9y/o) son and I embarked on trying to collect a relatively high-grade 1957 Topps Football set.

We loved the principals (e.g., Unitas, Hornung, Starr, Lane, Berry rookies), the great colors, and the funny cartoons on the back. It has been a long process, but we have now come to the end.

We’ve collected the low numbers all in PSA 8 (with 1 PSA 8.5 and 1 PSA 9), the high numbers in PSA 7 (with 1 PSA 7.5 and 1 PSA 8), and both checklists (PSA 2 and 3). We don’t have a master set because that requires two different (and pricey) error cards of Bill Sherman.

We got a lot of cards before the big price boom, which is great, and slowly but surely got the others, with the last being Perry Jeter (random!) in a PSA 8. It ranks #19 on the set registry (which makes me think, dang, 18 people have nicer sets!?! Jeez)

We did end up with a couple of cool extras along the way: An autographed Night Train Lane rookie, an original artwork from Topps of the Paul Larson card, and a 6 card uncut sheet (Bednarik, Donovan, and Summerall). We did not end up with an opened pack or a display box, which we’re still looking for.

In any event, it’s been a labor of love for me and my son, who is now 15. Here’s a photo of most of it (no uncut sheet).

football
 

nice , quite a challenge. Completed !

Not really the right section, but sounds like great fun. Congrats.

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Congratulations! I have several of them; they are great looking cards. Pat Summerall, Frank Gifford, Johnny Unitas, many, many others.

Outstanding. Probably my favorite FB set with my all-time favorite player-- Mr. Football, Johnny U. I also like the Blanda card-- as a kid I thought he looked like Goober Pyle--and how can you not enjoy some of those campy poses and ancient equipment. Well done and congrats.

That's a great collecting achievement, but it sounds like the real value was in the experiences you shared with your son over the years.

Congrats to both of you and good luck in finding a nice pack as a companion piece. If it's not any trouble, please post the original artwork if you have a image available.

Congrats!

What a cool father son achievement. Memories for a lifetime!

Way to go!

This is awesome.

In around 1988 my Dad bought me a complete set (raw of course) minus the Sherman errors and checklists from House of Cards in Maryland. It was a beautiful set and I've had a bunch of the cards graded. Many 8s, 7s and 6s. Over the years I've worked on upgrades (my Dad died many years ago) but I still don't have a graded set anywhere near yours. I still have every original card he gave me -- whether upgraded or not. I love that you've put it together with your son. That's what collecting is all about.

Well done.

Thank you all! Yes, it has been really such a great journey with my son, and JimC hearing your story I hope my son keeps (and maybe even improves!) the set once he is older. The artwork is in the bottom right of the photo I posted, but it is hard to see. I'll try to post that (and the sheet) soon!

Congrats! Great set

Very cool, congrats. I think that is the best football set, with all the rookies. And I love that you did it with your son.

Congrats on a very cool collecting journey!! The best part is you got to do it with your son!

Congratulations!
 

Great feeling of satisfaction, finishing a set like that in such consistent condition! Love the add-ons - Art and uncut panel!

Ahh, missed it the first time. Very cool!

Congratulations! Beautiful set. For us set collectors, the joy is truly in the journey, and I'm sure that it is especially sweet that you were able to share it with your son.

Extra cool when you accomplish a collecting goal with your son (or daughter would be fun too).

Congratulations!

Man, I can't even complete a 1990 Score set, and you two are knocking that one out???? Yowza!!!! Congrats, and great stuff!!!