Milestone completed for my collection

[frankhardy]

The primary focus of my collection is my Cardinals team set collection. Other than that, the most important secondary focus is my Topps complete set project. Back approximately in 2004, I set out to slowly but surely build sets going backward while obtaining the new set that came out every year. No factory sets. Actually, my new sets from 2004 and up came from my wonderful parents. They knew about my project and have bought me a new hand collated set every year for Christmas. I would always grab the Traded / Update set myself when it came out. As a side note...can you imagine paying $35 for a 2011 Topps Update Set? I did!

Through the years I have been very methodical during the process. Generally, I would not start set until I was finished with the one I was working on going backwards in order. There is an exception. While I was still working on a set in the early 1960s I came into a low grade 1953 Topps near set. I went ahead and finished it. Several months ago I also went out of order to complete my 1955 Topps set because I found an affordable Clemente RC.

My goal all along was not to have the nicest set. My goal was simply completion in the condition that I could afford at the time. For the more vintage sets, my goal was usually presentable low grade, but sometimes I would end up with a nice set for different reasons. I remember my 1972 set being super sharp even though I didn't set out for it to be. Turns out, my 1954 set that I just finished is in very presentable VG condition.

Having said all of that, I just completed my 1954 Topps set yesterday (pending receipt from USPS). The Willie Mays will be arriving any moment. The Ernie Banks will be arriving early this coming week. Needless to say, I am super excited.

By the way....much thanks to people here who have helped me along the way. I was able to purchase many of my want lists on the BST board here. A couple of times I was stunned and surprised at the generosity of people here sending my needs for free! I am grateful to any and all who assisted during this 17 year process.

Just wanted to share a thread in celebration of completing a major milestone. Too bad Topps didn't make a set in 1952. What a special set that would have been. Can you imagine how iconic a Mickey Mantle card from 1952 would have been? I can picture it now....a young Mick holding a bat with nothing but the blue sky in the background! Sometimes my imagination gets the better of me. If Topps would have made a set in 1952, I can't fathom how expensive it would be! It's a good thing they didn't! Since they didn't make a 1952 set, my run is finally complete!