Best set for a new set builder

[dstraate]

Hello All,

I've collected since I was a kid, and never got into the set building thing. Not to be a smug jerk, but I'm a school teacher looking down the barrel of a lot of free time this summer, and thought I might give set-building a try.

Any thoughts on what sets could be worked on within a reasonable budget that would showcase a few of the games greats, provide fodder for a few conversations, etc. I realize this is a pre-war forum, but would entertain all thoughts pre '75

Thanks guys

[HRBAKER]

E95 and E96
Manageable size and outlay and the cards are readily available in most all low to mid-grades

E95 has some top flight HOFers, E96 not so much

[sbfinley]

Not Pre-War but 54 Bowman is a good start. The Mantle and Williams will set you back a couple hundred in low grades, but the rest of the set is affordable. Lots of HOFers too.

[Zach Wheat]

T201 is also a good set to start out with....it is comprised of 50 cards (100 players) with all cards obtainable. It also has reasonably priced cards of Mathewson (whose name is misspelled), Johnson and Cobb along with 17 other HOF'ers.

[terjung]

1933 Goudey - a 240 card set with 64 of the cards representing HOFers (including Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Speaker, Dean, Cochrane, etc.)

The cards are great looking, readily available, and can be budget friendly depending on what grade (appearance level) you choose. Also, they are easily resold if you change your mind midway through. A great and important set that is ranked as one of the big three - along with the T206 and 1952 Topps sets.

Good luck!

[glchen]

Originally Posted by terjung

1933 Goudey - a 240 card set with 64 of the cards representing HOFers (including Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Speaker, Dean, Cochrane, etc.)

The cards are great looking, readily available, and can be budget friendly depending on what grade (appearance level) you choose. Also, they are easily resold if you change your mind midway through. A great and important set that is ranked as one of the big three - along with the T206 and 1952 Topps sets.

Good luck!

I collect 33 Goudey's and just beware, the costs can add up in a hurry even for low grade. Then you run into a dilemma on whether you want a bunch of low grade commons or just a few HOF'ers. If you want them all, like me, you'll end up spending serious cash. If you look at BST, someone is selling ~100 commons for about $700, so that's a good way to get started. Once you start working on the HOF'ers, it'll start to add up.

If you have a limited budget, and it's your first time, I would almost recommend a smaller set like 34 or 35 Goudey. However, part of the joy of the hobby is that you have to love the cards you collect, and if there is some particular set you really like, just go for it. Over time, you can slowly build up your set one card at at time, even if the overall set is expensive.

[T2069bk]

Originally Posted by dstraate

Hello All,

I've collected since I was a kid, and never got into the set building thing. Not to be a smug jerk, but I'm a school teacher looking down the barrel of a lot of free time this summer, and thought I might give set-building a try.

Any thoughts on what sets could be worked on within a reasonable budget that would showcase a few of the games greats, provide fodder for a few conversations, etc. I realize this is a pre-war forum, but would entertain all thoughts pre '75

Thanks guys

You said you've collected since you were a kid- take a look at what you have, and start from there. About a month ago I noticed that I had quite a few Hall of Famers from the 1934-1936 Batter-up set...so the next logical step was to pick up a few commons and I'm on my way. I already know I have a connection to them because I owned them already.

Another thought might be to go the Team Set route... If you're a big fan of a certain team, start building team sets from all the different years- a great way to learn about your teams past.

[dstraate]

Huge problem with the team set thing...

I'm a Cubs fan. (belch)

[T2069bk]

But if you collect the T206 and 1920's-1930's times were good - now ....Not so good!

[ethicsprof]

Anthony and Jeff say it best for me.
See what you truly connect with and then you will truly know what you WANT
to collect.

best,
barry