Favorite/best and least fav/worst '53 to '79 vintage complete sets?

[cardsagain74]

Going to pick them for each decade, and an overall too.

Tossing out the '52 Topps here, both because it's too easy and to focus on everything that doesn't create second mortgages to get.

My choices:

'50s

Best: '55 Topps +1. Amazing rookie cards and stacked superstar breakup value (along with the '54 T, the best combination of those factors for the entire '53- range ). I like the design of the '55 better, though. BUT, can anything really win awards without a Mantle? So, I'm going to cheat on this one. A '55 Topps set with the '56 Mantle. The design and (literally) many of the pics are basically the same anyway!

Worst: '59 Topps. There aren't any "bad" sets in the '50s, but something to had be chosen. I know this one has its share of following, but I'm not a fan of the lowercase design either.

'60s

Best: '67 Topps. I am biased here, because I feel that Seaver and Carew are underappreciated HOFers. But beyond their rookies, there's also some of the most sought after and valuable high numbers from the decade

Worst: '64 Topps. Where do I begin. Basic design, and yep I know the '67 has that too. But that's where the similarities end. No rookie card punch, awful breakup value, basically no high # bonus value, and even a Mantle that isn't very prized. Yet you'll still pay $1500-$2500 for a grade 3-5 set. If I complete my '52 to '85 run, this is my bite the bullet one. It will be tough to pay more than pocket lint for it

'70s:

Best: '75 Topps. Am a sucker for the originality of the colors, and the fact that this was the "vintage" set I always wanted as a teen. So unique and plenty of HOF rookies. All found for a very reasonable price in grade 5-7.

Worst: '74 Topps. Combines the worst breakup value, design, star power, and rookie card punch (relative to what you pay for it) of the decade. You get pretty much the same thing with a '76 for half the price.


My overall choices for the era:

Best: '55 Topps +1

Worst: '64 Topps