Which sets to include in a run of pre-war cards

[jwgators]

So, being a novice to pre-war cards, I wanted to put together a run of cards 1-2 per set of the "main" pre-war sets. I know the obvious ones, i.e. T206, T205, Goudey, Cracker Jack.

Which other sets would you include to get a good representation of pre-war cards?

Thanks.

[Leon]

What are your interests? You have a very open agenda and I like that. Personally, I went down the ACC list and tried to get one (or more) of each....then after that you can go for the uncataloged ones, backs, variations etc.... That will last at least this lifetime . There are a ton of websites to help but if you want an easy one, I have most of them listed (pre-1950) on my site. Nothing is for sale on it...but here it is ...*(scans of each under each listing)... it's a big "work(addiction)-in-progress".

www.luckeycards.com

[zljones]

Playball 39,40,41. Goudey 1933, 34, 35 (4-in 1), 1936 (black and White) and 1938 Heads Up. I think any Goudey Wide Pens and other send away cards do not count. 1934-36 Diamond Stars. Cracker Jack, T206, T205, E90-1, E91 (yuck!), 1903 Breish Williams, N300, N29, N28, N172, N162, N173 and N175 (are probably debatable).

I only collect from main sets too, and I only will.

[ethicsprof]

great to see another type collector on board!!!! welcome.
i, with Leon, use the ACC by Burdick. A fun way that helped me decide what to go after next was to acquire the 2 great posters offered by the Old Cardboard website showing various pre-war types. I also purchased Slocum's beautiful book of photos of the various types---entitled Classic Baseball Cards---which helped me pick what i wanted next along the way. I have all but a couple from Slocum and the posters, but ACC is a wee bit down the road. I limit my timeline from 1900-1939.
all the best,
barry

[tonyo]

I am collecting "all" the hall of famers from one set in each decade. t205, e120, 33 goudey, 41 playball are my prewar sets.

I also embarked upon a pre-war type collection a few months ago.

It took me a while to decide how to approach it. I ended up using oldcardboard.com as a reference to create my "list".


I suspect there will be many different personal definitions of "main pre-war set". If you just start looking at pre-war cards, you'll see a few sets that are alot more available than others. Maybe those are the "main sets"? Depending on your budget, you may add "affordable" into your definition.

I have a spreadsheet with the sets listed on oldcard. It includes year, acc designation, number of cards in set, their estimated value of a common, set name. The cool thing about the spreadsheet is: the set name has hyper text so when you click on the set name, it takes you to the appropriate page on oldcardboard.

My guess is that you can look at the set size and the value of a common on that spreadsheet and make a pretty good start on picking some representative sets.

If you want a copy, let me know by email and I'll be glad to send it to you.

Tony

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by ethicsprof

great to see another type collector on board!!!! welcome.
i, with Leon, use the ACC by Burdick. A fun way that helped me decide what to go after next was to acquire the 2 great posters offered by the Old Cardboard website showing various pre-war types. I also purchased Slocum's beautiful book of photos of the various types---entitled Classic Baseball Cards---which helped me pick what i wanted next along the way. I have all but a couple from Slocum and the posters, but ACC is a wee bit down the road. I limit my timeline from 1900-1939.
all the best,
barry

Barry,
I haven't heard of the posters or the Slocum book. I think I'll see about picking up one or all three to help with my budding type collection!

Tony

[ullmandds]

I am/was a type collector too...my goal was always t100(200)-t217, E90-1-E107...and then i got into all back variations associated with the aforementioned...as well as D's...and W's...then I gave up and now I'm selling some to change directions a bit.


My inspiration was the color card inserts in the old sport americana price guides from the early eighties...I always thought that if I had 1 "type" of every card...then I could always identify real ones!

[zljones]

I was attempting all HOFers, but I decided to mainly delve into certain sets like T205, N162, R323, then eventually 33,34 Goudey and Diamond Stars. I decided not to go nuts on HOFers from sets I am not as interested in such as Cracker Jack or T206. Or sets that are too rare and expensive such as N300 or N172. I really do not want to take out a second mortgage. I not only embarked upon HOFers as a category but also from sets I am the most facinated with, that makes it alot easier on my pockets.

[ethicsprof]

glad to hear you're type collecting now!!!
I actually framed the posters to motivate me. They are quite well done methinks. The Slocum was actually a library copy that went on sale for very little for quite a giant folio volume.
all the best in your type quest,
barry

[E93]

If I were you, I would not want to miss out on caramel/candy cards from E90-1 through E107.

For example, E93 and E98

JimB

[ullmandds]

killer matty!

[E93]

Thanks Peter.
JimB

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by E93

Thanks Peter.
JimB

The Griffith is insanely nice too!!!

Cheers,
Blair

[fkw]

I havent read the other posts yet

this would be my list of the well known common sets, and most commons in average condition can be had for well under $100, some under $30

1887 N172 Old Judge
1909 T206
1909 E90-1 American Caramel
1911 T205
1911 T3
1912 T207
1915 E145-2 Cracker Jack
1916 M101-4/5
1917 E135 Collins-McCarthy
1921 E121 American Caramel
1922 E120 American Caramel
1929 R316 Kashin Publications
1931 W517
1933 R319 Goudey
1934 R320 Goudey
1936 R314-1 Goudey
1938 R323 Goudey
1939 R334 PlayBall
1940 R335 PlayBall
1941 R336 PlayBall

[jwgators]

You all have provided such great information. I really appreciate it.

I think I was looking for a list like FKW provided at least to start with. I want to just have an example or two of each almost like a step through history and the evolution of cards.

I will also be going through Leon's website to see what we are talking about aside from my new ebay searches to run through.

[Brian Van Horn]

Not mentioned so far would be E121.

[glchen]

I kind of feel that some of the 30s sets like Delong, George Miller, Diamond Stars, and Tattoo Orbit should be included also. You may also want to include the popular multi-sports sets like 32 US Caramel and 33 Sport Kings, which also have baseball players.

[JLange]

The two posters put out by Old Cardboard are honestly one of my favorite reference items. Not only do they look great hanging in my office, but I refer to them quite often, if for no other reason than to dream about owning one of each type one day!