Favorite / Most Iconic Vintage Soccer Card Sets

[Collect Equity]

I am curious to see what everyone's favorite, most iconic vintage soccer card sets would be?

I guess to put the question another way, if you could only collect 5 vintage card sets, what would they be?

Here is my list of favorite, most iconic sets (in order with #1 being the best):

1) 1950 Tinghalls World Cup - This set includes Team USA players (which is why it's at the top of my list) and also some super cool Brazilian and other country stars. And it has really cool backs and some unique variations. A definite iconic set!

2) 1958 Alifabolaget World Cup - Another world cup set, this one includes one of Pele's best rookie cards!

3) 1938 Konig/Union - This set has a few great international players, plus the best German league players. It also has some great back variants and a historical tie to WWII. Definitely an interesting set.

4) 1970 Panini World Cup - This is Panini's inaugural WorldCup set and is full of stars. It has 4 back variations and a number of album variations. It is a great first issue for Panini's World Cup sets.

After that, I have a whole bunch that are tied and I am not sure which would be my favorite.

How about the rest of you? What are your votes for favorite / most iconic vintage soccer sets?

[aljurgela]

I would say that Tinghalls and Konig are definitely part of my top 2 for the reasons that you mention and they have many key players from many countries. The others are hard for me either to do the fact that most sets focus on a country / league so that the players are not world class which tends to push us towards World Cup issues... so I understand your inclusion of the Panini WC 1970 and ALFA cards.

Some of my Argentina "contenders" would be the 1925-27 Dolar cards (players inclusions), 1935 Argos cards (beauty), 1936 Los Leyes cards (unique), and 1926 Plus Ultra cards (photographic), 1935 Cabecitas de Ora (see my other post) or the 1946 Olympia cards (is there a most beautiful card set out there?)...

I am also trying to put together the 1888 Circus Girl set as one of the coolest early sets (including GO Smith)...

I will continue to think of this, as it is a great question. Thanks for posting.

[Copa7]

I would include the 1938 Konig set as well, but I have to say the 1928 Gartmann's Chokolate cards are some of the finest looking cards I've seen.

The Greiling cards, especially the larger sized issues are full of international stars (probably the first in the world to do so in a large scale - no less than 18 countries! )

As for modern sets, I really like the 1959 A&BC set for its bright colors and action poses. Equal to it in color, but a different style, are the 1960 Chix portrait and action set.

Lastly, the 1920c Amatlier Spanish issue set has an artistic style that's classic beyond beauty.

Honorable mentions to VAV sets from Italy and Dolar from Argentina.

[Anish]

My favorite set is the Brazilian Quigol. Just an amazing design and the presence of Pele outweighs the absence of anyone else.

7 by Anish Cards, on Flickr

I also love the Alifabolaget set.

[samosa4u]

I was looking at that Quigol Pele a while back. The front looks amazing, but there is paper loss on the back. You gotta' love this seller, because according to him, all his cards are in "EXCELLENT CONDITION!"

[Anish]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

I was looking at that Quigol Pele a while back. The front looks amazing, but there is paper loss on the back. You gotta' love this seller, because according to him, all his cards are in "EXCELLENT CONDITION!"

Not everyone evaluates cards based on North American/European technical standards. I’ve bought several Pele’s from him and have been happy with all of them.

It’s especially cool to see them in an album as they were intended to be enjoyed.

[aljurgela]

Originally Posted by Copa7

I would include the 1938 Konig set as well, but I have to say the 1928 Gartmann's Chokolate cards are some of the finest looking cards I've seen.

The Greiling cards, especially the larger sized issues are full of international stars (probably the first in the world to do so in a large scale - no less than 18 countries! )

As for modern sets, I really like the 1959 A&BC set for its bright colors and action poses. Equal to it in color, but a different style, are the 1960 Chix portrait and action set.

Lastly, the 1920c Amatlier Spanish issue set has an artistic style that's classic beyond beauty.

Honorable mentions to VAV sets from Italy and Dolar from Argentina.

Cannot argue with your analysis here... I wish the Greiling cards were all in color.. but the two sizes make them fun and there are a number of SSP which also makes the hunt complicated and fun. I love the C.1920 Amatlier Spanish issues of Zamora/Alcantara/Samitier (the artistic rendition and the "real" photo) are probably some of the most beautiful cards ever made.

[Anish]

For Pre-War cards I like the Godfrey Phillips “set” of two. Mini works of art.
1896 Godfrey Phillips Athersmith and Bassett by Anish Cards, on Flickr

Also the 1902 Wills set because of the vivid photographs, classy design, and star studded checklist.
1902 Wills 37 Meredith A by Anish Cards, on Flickr

[aljurgela]

Originally Posted by Anish

For Pre-War cards I like the Godfrey Phillips “set” of two. Mini works of art.
1896 Godfrey Phillips Athersmith and Bassett by Anish Cards, on Flickr

Also the 1902 Wills set because of the vivid photographs, classy design, and star studded checklist.
1902 Wills 37 Meredith A by Anish Cards, on Flickr

I like the Wills set because of the variations (see pic) as well and it is pretty economical to put together - though I tend to prefer the rarer Clarke & Son type setting. The color of the Godfrey Phillips are great. I also like the Cope's Clips powder blue cards as well - not impossible, but pretty difficult.

[Collect Equity]

Originally Posted by Copa7

I would include the 1938 Konig set as well, but I have to say the 1928 Gartmann's Chokolate cards are some of the finest looking cards I've seen.

The Greiling cards, especially the larger sized issues are full of international stars (probably the first in the world to do so in a large scale - no less than 18 countries! )

As for modern sets, I really like the 1959 A&BC set for its bright colors and action poses. Equal to it in color, but a different style, are the 1960 Chix portrait and action set.

Lastly, the 1920c Amatlier Spanish issue set has an artistic style that's classic beyond beauty.

Honorable mentions to VAV sets from Italy and Dolar from Argentina.

Do you have any images (or links) you can share of these sets? I am not 100% certain I am familiar with these sets.

[Copa7]

Here's a rare poster of the 1959 A&BC set

[IMG][/IMG]

[Copa7]

Here is one series of goalkeepers from Gartman's

[IMG][/IMG]

[Collect Equity]

[Deleted - Struggling with Images - Will Repost Below]

[Collect Equity]

So I realized after I asked Copa for pictures of his favorite sets, that I never included pictures on mine. So here are a few for those who are not as familiar:
(note: sorry - for time's sake I just took these with my phone instead of scanning them)

1) 1950 Tinghalls World Cup -
1950 Tinghalls Front.jpg 1950 Tinghalls Back.jpg


2) 1958 Alifabolaget World Cup - A very crooked Garrincha card
1959 Alifa Front.jpg 1958 Alifa Back.jpg


3) 1938 Konig/Union - A couple back variations of Zamora
1938 Konig-Union Front.jpg 1938 Konig-Union Back.jpg


4) 1970 Panini World Cup - A Pele Bisvalida variation
1970 Panini WC Front.jpg 1970 Panini WC Back.jpg

[Collect Equity]

Originally Posted by Copa7

Here is one series of goalkeepers from Gartman's

[IMG][/IMG]

This Gartman set reminds me a lot of the Boston Garters Set. In fact, these two cards almost look like they belong together:
Gartmann Garter.jpg

[Copa7]

J - nice comparison with the Boston Garters.

That PSA stabbing of Garrincha is a crime!

The 08 back of that Konig is crazy rare.

Nice stuff. !

[Exhibitman]

All the Gartmanns sports issues I've seen have been spectacular.



I like this issue:



1968 Crack (Argentina). I used to own one. Kinda miss it.