The top baseball card set of all time is.... 1965 Topps?!

[skelly423]

Not sure who else followed this, if anyone, but over the past week Trading Card Database has been tweeting the top sets of all time as voted on by their users.

Coming out on top is the 1965 Topps set. Nice enough set, doesn't move the needle for me. There were a nice mix of modern and vintage, and a lot of my favorites finished high on the final list. As is always the case, there were a few notable surprises: 1933 Goudey at 7th, T206 at 8th, and 1952 Topps at 9th. Cracker Jacks not on the list at all!

I always enjoy a good debate, but in my (biased) opinion, the voters really whiffed when it comes to pre-war vintage.

Here's the twitter account if you want to check out the full list:
https://twitter.com/tradingcarddb

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by skelly423

Cracker Jacks not on the list at all!

Those 14CJ's are a horrible set, collectors should dump them. Please PM me when ready...

[icollectDCsports]

I do think '65 is probably the nicest set of the '60s, but I wouldn't put it number 1 overall, of course. However, the rest of their top 10 is pretty strong.

[YankeeHotelFoxtrot]

ridiculous.

52 topps is the best, followed by 53 topps and then 56 topps
1960 and 1961 and 1973 topps are best mention

[GasHouseGang]

I like the 1965's fine, but I can't understand how the set could have been voted as the best set ever. Each to his own, but I'd take every 1950's set, both Topps and Bowman (yes, even the 1955's) ahead of the 1965 Topps.

[Vegas Cards]

Glad it's getting recognition. It's one of the two vintage sets I own and I'd agree, lots going for it. Tons of HOF players, a few decent rookies, and most importantly, still affordable!

[G1911]

Everyone has their opinion on design, but 1952 Topps, 1933 Goudey and T206 are obviously the big 3. I don't see how many people actually voted? This list is bizarre going all the way down.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by G1911

...1952 Topps, 1933 Goudey and T206 are obviously the big 3...

I agree with this, especially considering it was a vote-by-the-people popularity contest.

[Touch'EmAll]

I once saw many high end 1955 Topps - blew me away! The colors, Wow! Like just dripping wet, amazing. And the assortment of top tier players darn good to boot. When I was deciding which set to to most dabble in, for post-war 1955 Topps is tough to top.

Liking pre-war better, the decision came down to the big 3 already mentioned. Scratch the '52 Topps - centering issues seemed very difficult, scratch the Goudey although tempting with the Ruth's (hindsight should have gone there). But I went with T206 - still happy with my choice.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I am biased it was the first set I collected as a kid. It's awesome.

[egri]

1965 Topps is certainly a fine set, it has grown on me over the years and it and 1960 are my two favorite of the decade. That being said, off the top of my head I can come up with about half a dozen sets just from the postwar, pre-junk wax era that I would put above it.

[bbcard1]

I find it hard to settle on one favorite. The 1955 and 56 Topps are great. In the 60s I prefer the 67s, but I have met people who don't like them at all. 1971 was my first real set collecting and will always be my favorite or that decade. And I think the 1983s have a place at the table.

[Vegas Cards]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I am biased it was the first set I collected as a kid. It's awesome.

Fantastic cards Peter. Hard to argue with the beauty of this set when you're looking at examples like yours.

[egri]

I took a look at the rest of the list. There are a few I'd argue with and some I'd rank above others, but overall I think they did a pretty good job, though the top 20 places seem to lean disproportionally towards postwar pre-1980 sets. One thing I don't like is they included the Topps Heritage sets in the ranking, especially when there were instances of the Heritage set being ranked above the original.

[conor912]

‘65 is tue first and only 60’s set I ever completed. Well deserved, IMO!

[mikemb]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I am biased it was the first set I collected as a kid. It's awesome.

My first set too! Always loved it and still do.

Mike

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by Touch'EmAll

I once saw many high end 1955 Topps - blew me away! The colors, Wow! Like just dripping wet, amazing. And the assortment of top tier players darn good to boot. When I was deciding which set to to most dabble in, for post-war 1955 Topps is tough to top.

I agree. It seems most folks prefer '56 to '55, but I definitely prefer '55 for the reasons you state.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Vegas Cards

Fantastic cards Peter. Hard to argue with the beauty of this set when you're looking at examples like yours.

Thx here is some more eye candy.

[ejharrington]

To me 1983 Topps is the nicest looking set ever made. The 1983 Topps Traded Darryl Strawberry the most beautiful card ever produced.

[Bobbycee]

'71 Topps is stupid low on this list. The action & background shots alone put it in the top 10.

[doug.goodman]

1957 Topps

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

1957 Topps

Especially the ones with the deep green tints.

[Tabe]

The T-3 Turkey Reds are the best-looking set of all-time.

Postwar, I think I would say 1952/53/57/83 Topps and 1984 Donruss, at least until the introduction of Upper Deck and the 8000000 varieties.

[rats60]

1965 Topps is the best post war set in my opinion. However my top 5 are all prewar, t206, 1933 Goudey, 1941 Play Ball, t205 and t3.

[skelly423]

Ask me next week and I'm sure I'll have a different answer, but my personal top 5 is some arrangement of:

T206
1933 Goudey
1951 Bowman
1956 Topps
1914/15 Cracker Jacks

[ALBB]

1967 Topps

[carlsonjok]

I like 1965 Topps just fine. It isn't my favorite set, but it is probably in the top third for post-war, pre-junk wax sets. There is something curious about that set, though.

Virtually all of my set needs are filled through local shows and from Greg Morris' EBay auctions. When bidding on EBay, I have firm rules about what I will pay for cards. I apply those rules regardless of the set or whether the card is a common, minor star, or major star. I rarely have a significant number of winnings, but I usually get anywhere from 2 to 8 cards from a specific set break

However, I rarely ever win anything when he is breaking a 1965 set and I am not just missing out by a bit. The cards will often sell far in excess of my comfort level to pay and, if memory serves, even commons will sell for prices above Beckett high book. I've made much better, and steadier, progress on both 1960 and 1968 over the same time frame.

I realize that the plural of anecdote isn't necessarily data, but this isn't a recent phenomenon. This has been my consistent experience since I started the set. It is just weird.

[JCM2009]

Another vote for 1967 Topps

Colavito Topps 67.jpg

[iwantitiwinit]

67 Topps is far and away the best set of the 60s. 53 Topps best of all time.

[Rhotchkiss]

My top 5 in order (does not include cabinets or PCs):

T206
1952 Topps
1933 Goudey
1914 Cracker Jack
1955 Topps

Honorable mention, next 5
1951 Bowman
1948 Leaf
1953 Topps
1957 Topps
E107

Can you tell I don’t prefer “modern”?!

[Yoda]

How about Old Judges? The set that never ends.

[Gorditadogg]

Yes to 65 Topps!

[abothebear]

It is difficult (and perhaps even silly) to compare the appearance of sets beyond beyond printing and photography technology barriers. The 1960 Topps cards are a great set because they stand between the type of thing Topps was doing in their first 10 years and the type of thing they did in years after, with a foot in both and a splash of 1960 pizazz. But comparing sets before to those after isn’t a even comparison (50s cards relied on a lot of artistic doctoring for the most part, and when they didn’t, the photos are dull). This graphic and artistic element puts them in a different category in than the post-1960 effort to simply frame a passable photograph. The next demarcation is less clear to me. I think a good argument can be made for 1974. A good argument could be made for 1983. Then I’d say 1993 was another transition year. I’m curious about how others may think of these things.

1960
1964
1967
1965
1971
1968
1972
1963
1966
1973
1970
1961
1962
1969

1980
1976
1975
1974
1979
1981
1978
1977
1982

1985
1991
1987
1983
1984
1992
1993
1989
1988
1990
1986

Adding other brands into the same list (for postwar) is too weird for me to sort out.

[John1941]

As I'm a member of the Trading Card Database, and have voted on many of these sets, I think I'll chip in with my ratings.

1. 9.5 - 1933 Goudey
2. 9.0 T206
T205
1952 Bowman
1953 Topps
1965 Topps
1967 Topps
8. 8.5 1909-11 Obak
1948 Signal Gasoline Oakland Oaks
1951 Bowman
1952 Topps
1953 Bowman Color
1954 Topps
1956 Topps
1963 Topps


I rated 1971 Topps 8.0 -it would be higher, but the backs are pitiful. I have 1957 Topps at 7.5, and 1993 Upper Deck at 8.0 In my opinion, 1993 UD is the only non-vintage set that deserves consideration for the greatest set of all time.

(card not mine)

[obiwan1129]

Originally Posted by ejharrington

To me 1983 Topps is the nicest looking set ever made. The 1983 Topps Traded Darryl Strawberry the most beautiful card ever produced.

+1 for 1983. However that is a personal favorite as it was the first set I really set out to collect. Probably more nostalgia than anything, but definitely some nice RC's in there.

[clydepepper]

The 1965 set had a lot of great photos...

Likes:

1952
1953
1954
1955

1957
1958
1959

1962
1963
1964 (only because it was the first I collected)
1965
1967

1970
1976
1978

.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by John1941

1948 Signal Gasoline Oakland Oaks

I've never seen those before. IMHO, if that was a major league set, it would be among the most popular ever. That is a GORGEOUS card, especially for its era. First set to use actual color photographs in full color?

[packs]

I'm a fan:

[oldjudge]

The best major set of all time was also the first major set of all time. No set is more interesting, more challenging, or more iconic than the Old Judge set.

[bmattioli]

Mine are:

1975 Topps
1971 Topps
1984 Donruss

[Misunderestimated]

interesting list -- like many elections it may say more about the voters than the candidates.... "Best" can mean a lot of things.
Personally, I would have the Cracker Jacks, the Old Judges and the T202s near the top and put the 53 Bowman Color higher. The T3s are great too.
In a quick read of the whole list I noticed one weird thing: the Topps Heritage set for 2019 (in 1970 style) actually defeated the 1970 Topps set itself. I guess from the present vantage point the 2019 set does have better rookies. Unless I'm missing something 1970 had zero HOFers -- the best rookies are shared cards for Munson, Darrell Evans, Bill Buckner and Vida Blue.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Misunderestimated

In a quick read of the whole list I noticed one weird thing: the Topps Heritage set for 2019 (in 1970 style) actually defeated the 1970 Topps set itself. I guess from the present vantage point the 2019 set does have better rookies. Unless I'm missing something 1970 had zero HOFers -- the best rookies are shared cards for Munson, Darrell Evans, Bill Buckner and Vida Blue.

I noticed that too. I wish they had left the Heritage sets out of it and just looked at base sets. It would have made for more of an apples to apples comparison, and I just don’t consider a 1970s design reused with 2010s players to really be a 2010s set. I think it’s a bit lazy to do that, but Topps is making money hand over fist, so they must be doing something right.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

The best major set of all time was also the first major set of all time. No set is more interesting, more challenging, or more iconic than the Old Judge set.

+1

[toledo_mudhen]

My vote is 55 Topps - How can you not just love these things?

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by toledo_mudhen

My vote is 55 Topps - How can you not just love these things?

Such a great card. That's the card that got me so interested in the '55 Topps cards. First saw it in the Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading, and Bubble Gum Book.

[campyfan39]

For me:

53 topps
56 topps
52 topps
73 topps
75 topps

[darwinbulldog]

Nice cards, but just from the Topps sets I'd rank 1965 behind 53, 55, 56, 71, 75, and 83.

[pcelli]

Is it the historical importance(to our hobby) or the aesthetics? Is it both? What sets strike this balance?
No such thing as a perfect set. Best by decade I suppose is the most equitable way to go..

[mrreality68]

Many good responses

I think the 1914 Cracker Jack Set and the 1911 T205’s have both eye appeal and great variety of players

[abothebear]

Another aesthetics consideration... There are some cards that look good when viewed one at a time, and some that look good when grouped together. The 1965s for instance - they look good by themselves, but when you see several of them together, they look really good. I don't think I have any 1965s. I hadn't really even thought about them until this thread came along. But seeing the scans of several of them together really makes them stand out.