Which Sets Have You Completed And What's Next

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Posted By: peter chao

Guys,

I've completed 2 sets during the past year. The '57 Topps and '75 Topps Regular Sets. I'm pretty close to completing the '75 Topps Minis too. After completing the Minis, my target is '53 Color Bowmans and the Black and White Bowmans because of the gorgeous photography.

Let me hear about the sets you have completed and the next set you are going after.

Peter C.

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Posted By: Bob Pomilla

Peter,
Did you collect the checklists and game cards for the '57 Topps also, or just the players.

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Posted By: Steve M.

48 Bowman
53 Bowman Color
53 Bowman B/W
53 Topps
59 Topps
60 Fleer (Set of 80)
79 Topps
84 Donruss

Not presently working on any post-war sets though the addition of this site gets my juices flowing again.

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Posted By: daryle

Completed--
1952 Topps w/Page-Sain and Campos variations. Now working on the black/red combos for #s 1-80. Think I have 49 of the 80 now in both black and red, so I'm getting there.
1953 Topps (working on the black/white back variations #s 86-165 and a few lo #s)
1954 Topps
1956 Topps
1970 Topps
1974 Topps
1976-1980 Topps

almost----1955 Topps, 1969 Topps (think I need 3 cards), 1975 Topps (need maybe 5 or 6)

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Posted By: JimCrandell

Post-War Baseball Sets Completed(Each card PSA 8 or Better)

1948 Bowman
1951 Topps Red Back
1952 Bowman
1954 Red Heart
1954 Topps
1955 Bowman
1956 Topps
1957 Topps
1959 Fleer
1960 Fleer
1960 Topps
1961 Golden Press
1961 Nu-Card Scoops
1961 Topps
1961-2 Fleer
1963 Fleer
1963 Topps
1964 Topps
1964 Topps Giants
1965 Topps
1966 Topps
1967 Topps
1967 Topps Red Sox Stickers
1968 Topps
1968 Topps Game
1969 Topps Super
1970 Kelloggs
1970 Milton Bradley
1970 Rold Gold
1970 Topps Super

Sets Complete with 8s or better and at least 1 psa 7:

1954 Bowman
1955 Topps
1960 Leaf
1962 Topps
1967 Pirates Stickers

Whats Next in Postwar Baseball? get the above 5 sets to all psa 8 and better and complete other sets where I am close including 51 Topps Blue Back, 51 Bowman, 59 Topps, 67 Pirates Stickers and perhapsb 2-3 of the Kahn's sets.

Jim

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Posted By: barrysloate

Jim- do you collect 1952 Topps?

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Posted By: JimCrandell

Barry,

Yes--I have about 340 psa 8s or better, 30 seven or less and missing the rest. Intend to try to complete with minimum grade of 7 and then build to an 8 or better set.

Jim

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Posted By: peter chao

I've only got the '57 Topps First Checklist in Good Condition, but I do have the Gene Bakep error. One of these days, I'll start working on a '57 Topps Master Set.

Peter C.

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Posted By: Bob Pomilla

Yeah, Peter, to find all of those checklists unmarked and in nice condition is tough. Congrats on the Bakep, though!

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Posted By: Kevin Saucier

Off the top of my head:

1924 Parker Brothers - PSA
1929(?) Churchman's w/ Ruth
1959 Dodgers postcards -PSA
1960 Bell Brand x2 - raw
1961 Bell Brand x2 - raw
1962 Bell Brand x2 - PSA & raw
1967 Topps Who Am I - PSA & GAI 7.85gpa
1979 Burger King Phillies - PSA
1977 - 1992 Topps
1981 - 1992 Donruss
1981 - 1992 Fleer
1987 - 1992 almost everything

1909 Cadbury Titanic x12
1911 Characters from Dickens
1935 Cadbury Ships card stamps
1935 Cadbury various sets (6?) card stamps
1935 Useful Birds - in original cello
1963 Rosen JFK
1965 British Battle - PSA
1967 Tarzan - GAI

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Posted By: Paul S

The only have two complete sets of cards, and I bought them both that way. One is the 59 Fleer Ted Williams and the other a Kellogg's 3D (not sure the exact year, it's somewhere around here -- 70 or 72 maybe.)The Williams I got through one of the trade mags, i.e., like Trader Speaks. Someone just had sets of them for sale, and really really cheap. The Kellogg's I mailed away for.
I have never been a completist, just don't compelled for some reason, but I am very close on several sets, such Topps '58, 59, 62, and most of the rest of the 60's as well. And not quite as close on earlier sets of Topps and Bowman. I am not counting variations and error cards that were corrected. But the vast majority of HOFers and stars are already in place, as well as lots of commons. I am kind of surprised at this really, especially the earlier ones. I just picked them up often when I could.

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Posted By: DMcD

These are the postwar sets I have completed. The white notebook titled "Baseball" is a 1950 Bowman set which I bought from Mastro a few years ago and which was carefully mounted "Lionel Carter style". I was born in '50 so it has a special meaning for me. My favorite set of the bunch is the '53 Topps . Gotta love the artwork. Strong contender for favorite otherwise is the '57 Topps set. These were the cards that I first collected as a kid. When I got married in 2003 I made up another '57 set in an MJ Roop binder and gave it to my best man for standing up for me. Blew his mind.

As for other postwar sets I might want to collect either 1954 or '56 Topps have an appeal. Those beautiful '52s are like a postwar T206 set, a mini-Monster I think I'll steer clear of for the moment.

(That's 98 per cent of a T3 set on the shelf above in case anybody wondered).

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Posted By: Anthony

I've completed just about every major set post '32, and a lot of the minor ones. Still missing '52, '63 and '66 Topps for all of the post war sets, and will probably get the '63 and '66 next year after I get the last few cards I need for a few sets. I"ve got a few dozen pre WW1 and 19th century sets, so my next sets will probably come from that era- E95 and E96, AL Fan Craze, and probably N162. I've kind of the poor mans Jim Crandall- 200 sets in PSA/SGC 5 or better!

Other than that I look forward to the Heritage sets every year- really like those a lot, and opening packs with my son brings back a lot of memories while creating new ones.

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Posted By: Anthony

David-
what is in the white boxes on the right side of the Turkey Red shelf? Perez Steele Great Moments?

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Posted By: DMcD

Very sharp eye, Anthony. I like the Perez Steele cards because they are T3ish. Many of the cards of more modern players were autographed which makes it interesting on that level, too (although they are blue sharpie sigs and I'm not a blue sharpie kind of guy).

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Posted By: Anthony

Dave- do you have the full set of 70 that were possible to have signed?
Did you get them signed yourself? are they all numbered from the same set?

I just completed the signed set, it's one of my favorites.

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Posted By: Jon Canfield

The first set I ever completed was a 1948 Bowman set which I finished when I was around 12 (with my parents help, of course). It took me about 5 years to do, simply because it wasn't easy buying cards on a $5.00 a week allowance and I only had so many birthdays and Chirstmas's worked in there. Last year, I began upgrading the set and trying to put it together is 7-ish condition as cards become available at decent prices.

Also, I've put together a 1955 Bowman Yankee team set (ne of my favorite designed cards) and i'm nearly finished with a 1960 Topps yankee autographed team set (with each card certified by either PSA-DNA, JSA or GAI). I'm only short the Ford and Berra, which should be relatively easy to get. I am lucky enough to ahve the tough ones - Mantle, Maris, Howard, Deron Johnson and the 4 coaches card, and even luckier to have the ultra-rare Duke Maas.

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Posted By: Jason L

continue to blow me away with your collections
98% of the T3? What, pray tell are you missing!?
I have 100% of the set...on my wantlist!

I have never been much of a set collector because of a very bad experience as a very naive young collector. At the age of 13, I put together the 1984 Fleer from packs I had bought with my allowance. I very soon after got a lesson in dealing with adults (and dealers), as I had an experience where I was pressured by a card shop dealer to sell it (which I did)...for I knew was half the price it took me to assemble it. That burned me all summer. Until I got even by price switching a '78 Murray rookie and bought it for a dollar from his unknowing assistant. Only such thing I have ever done. Not proud of it, but even to this day, I haven't met a guy (in or out of the hobby) who was more deserving!

anyway, so I have been a player and subset collector ever since then

When I teach my son about it, there will be a very deliberate economics lesson attached!

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Posted By: Mike C

Have completed and still own the following:

Topps Baseball:

1954 (2), 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 (2), 1961 (2), 1962, 1963 (2), 1964, 1965 (2), 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970,
1973 (2), 1975 (2), 1977, 1978

Intial goal was for a complete Topps run of 52-79. So, the remaining years are 52, 53 and 55 (plus a few in the 70's).


Some were put together and some were bought complete.

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Posted By: Anthony

Jason-
I had the exact same experience as you, collecting cards as a 12-14 year old in the mid '70's. I got constantly ripped off at shows and thru the mail by sellers 3-5 times my age, but in time learned to stand up for myself and say no. Best business lessons I ever learned, and the few hundred dollars I lost as a kid saved me a fortune when I was older.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Working on many of the different Topps sets, but have only completed the 1972 set...haven't really worked that hard though if you know what I mean.

I am somewhat saving these sets for when my son gets more into collecting cards and we will do it together.

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Posted By: DMcD

Anthony: Sorry for slow reply to your questions about the Perez Steele cards. We got a hurricane watch going in the islands (Flossie, category 3, 750 miles out) so I've been a bit preoccupied. I have 56 signed cards. Most of the autos are post-war guys but there are a few old-timers like Gehringer and Dickey in the mix. I did not obtain any of the signatures myself. Bought the works from one of the auction houses in 2004. It is all one numbered set. I hadn't looked at the cards for a long while so it was fun to see them again. Some of the pictures are beauties.

Jason: Lack Lobert and Camnitz for a complete T3 player set. You always wonder who the last cards will be to make a set. Wouldn't have guessed these guys. Thought it would be Rhodes or Bransfield or one of the action cards but I got lucky early on with them.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Have completed 67-92 Topps, but plan on selling or trading the 76-92 sets soon. Also have completed most but not all of the insert sets and easier small sets from the 60's and 70's. I expect to finish the insert sets off soon and am still debating whether to collect the Stamp sets from the 60's (I have the albums). Trying to complete the Topps type set through 1980 and am getting close but a few cards will never be had like 61 Dice Game, 66 Punchout, the 67 3-D of Brooks Robinson, etc. I am probably not going to start too many more Topps sets and certainly no more of the regular issues but there are still a few dozen Topps cards I still want.

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Posted By: Dan P.

I got back into the hobby as an adult in 1972 and purchased complete Topps sets every year since. After I started going to shows in 1977 I put together by buying individual cards and lots the following:

1948-49 Bowman, 1955 Bowman Football
1960-71 Topps (1960-64 is what I collected as a child but they were left behind when my family moved)
1960 Leaf
1963 Fleer

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Posted By: Ricky Y

I have complete TOPPS sets of the following.

1970
1971
1971 Greatest Moments set
1972 (mostly made up of vendor runs purchased way back when from Stan Martucci)
1973 (including blue team ck lists)
1974 (including traded)
1975 Reg and Mini
1976 (including traded)
1977
1978
1979

I just sold off my post 1979 sets...I had 1980-1988. I wasn't looking at them and it took up too much space.

Just looking to upgrade some of the cards in the above mentioned sets as now my focus is on type cards (ala Leon although not to his extensive scale) and Exhibit cards of HOF players.

I'd also like to get my hands on one of the 1977 TOPPS proof cards that shows players with different uniforms than the regular issues (like Reggie Jackson in a Orioles uniform)

Ricky Y

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Posted By: Andrew

It's been said many times that the fun is in the chase, not necessarily the completion. Early this year I completed a 1965-1994 OPC set run, the '65 and '68 were 100% PSA graded. However, I was offered some good money and let most of them go.

"Take your life in your own hands and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame." -- Erica Jong

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Posted By: Paul S

Andrew -- Have to agree with you. The only set I bought complete is the Fleer Williams, many years ago. I'm close to completion on many 60's sets, yet somehow never feel compelled to finish them off (perhaps one day, just to say I did it.)

So, let's see those '67 Standups!

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Posted By: Andrew

I just have one Stand-up and it's a Yaz diecut. No way I'm going for a set, especially a die-cut one. I did just purchase a '54 Scoops set, but that was far from building it. I guess my every growing "type" set is the one I'm trying to complete.



"Take your life in your own hands and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame." -- Erica Jong

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Posted By: peter chao

Andrew,

A 30 year run of OPC is pretty impressive... For me the journey is 90% of it. Congrats.

Peter C.

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Posted By: Jeff D.

Not nearly as impressive as some, but I've recently finished my 1953 and 1954 Johnston Cookies sets. For some reason it took me 5 months to find a 1954 Lew Burdette. I've been able to purchase several since.

I'm working on upgrading the 1954 set (made some good progress so far) and need only one card left (Mathews) to complete my second 1953 set. I'm also working on the 1955 set in full panel form, but have only one of the panels as of yet.

I'm also working on the Topps 1972 set, but it's been very slow going as I lose focus easily and it's not high on the priority list.

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Posted By: Rick

Hello fellow collectors, just found this site and it's right up my alley. Wanted to share with you my complete 1957 Topps Master Set all high grade with the Bakep error, all 4 game cards, lucky penny card and a 1/2 checklist housed beautifully in a M.J. Roop binder. I have all the cards posted for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for looking!
Rick
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4207791&a=32553569&sp=1&showall=true

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Posted By: Bob

Rick,

Thanks for sharing your '57 set! I enjoyed going through your scans.

Bob

P.S. Do you also have the Lucky Penny itself? If not, they're not all that hard to find on eBay. It was a fun addition for me for my set.

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Posted By: Rick

Yes Bob, I have the Lucky Penny. Check out the last page of the scans on the bottom right corner. Thanks for looking.

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Posted By: peter chao

Rick,

That's a nice '57 Topps set you have there. However, it's not quite a master set, there are additional checklists. Do you have them all? Also, there is the Herrera error card.

Peter C.

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Posted By: Jim VB

I thought the Herrera error was in the 1958 set. Was there one in '57 also?

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Posted By: Rick

Peter, Yes I'm aware of the other checklists, just dont have them yet. The Herrera card is from 1958 though.

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Posted By: peter chao

Rick,

You are right, the Herrera error card is in '58 Topps, it is supposed to be approximately twice as difficult to get as the Gene Bakep error in '57 Topps.

Peter C.

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Posted By: Paul S

Rick -- Enjoyed looking at your set. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the forum.

Paul S

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Posted By: Bob

Rick,

I meant the penny (the kind that you spend) with the plastic wreath around it and the keychain. I don't have a scan of mine or I'd post it. It's what the lucky penny card was advertising.

Bob

P.S. Your Lucky Penny card is very nice (nicer than mine). I'm jealous.

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Posted By: Rick

Hey Bob, No I don't have that, good idea though. I will start looking for it. I would like to see yours if and when ever possible however.

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Posted By: Bob

Found it! (last box I looked in)

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Posted By: Rick

That's great Bob! Thanks for showing. I will try and keep an eye out for one as well. Are you familiar with an album request card? A few years ago I remember Clean Sweep advertised a 57 album request card. I phoned them for info. on it and they asked me to call back because they could not find it at the time. Later when I did call, it was sold. I met Steve Verkman at a local show near here and reminded him about that card. He remembered me calling about it and assured me it was from 1957. I was always curious to know about it since. I asked Bob Lemke about it too, but he was not familiar with it.
Thanks again for the pic!

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Posted By: peter chao

Bob,

The scan of the penny is cool. Did you ever notice that on the '57 contest cards the deadlines for the contest do not include a year? I wonder what Topps would do if you mailed in a filled out contest card?

Peter C.

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Posted By: Paul S

Peter, take a shot at that contest!
2007 SCD states that Red Heart (1954) was still redeeming for cards as late as the early 1970's! And here you thought you were solely being clever.

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Posted By: Al

Topps 1948 and 1951 through 2007.

Bob---you are missing the chain

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Posted By: Bob

Yes, unfortunately the penny is missing its chain.

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Posted By: peter chao

Bob,

Where did you purchase the Lucky Penny from? Did it have a chain when you got it?

Peter C.

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Posted By: Al

Peter---for what it is worth, they did come with a chain. I bought one that way, in it's original packaging, on e bay some time back

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Posted By: Bob

I got it on eBay. It was missing the chain when I bought it.

Al,
What's the original packaging?

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Posted By: Al

Bob-- I actually can not be positive it is the original packaging. It was in a small brown envelope, 1 1/2 x 3 with an insert holder for the coin itself. I mentioned the other day that the 1960 Hot Iron Transfers came in a similar envelope