1958-1961 All Star Subsets

[skelly]

These are always valued lower than the Regular Cards from the set. A 60 Mantle All Star is worth less than the Regular 1960 Mantle... etc... I was wondering why these cards are worth less. To those old enough, what did you prefer when trading / opening packs back in the day. I think the All Star cards are cool, and certainly harder to come by being high numbers and all.

[Rich Klein]

Because more collectors (by a wide margin) prefer the regular issue cards. Back in the late 1970's, I bought up as many of the Hi # superstars from that era real cheap as they were underpriced.

Nearly 40 years later, nothing much has changed in terms of collecting interest and those cards being underpriced.

That is especially true for 59-60; the 61's are pretty fairly priced as they are much more difficult

Rich

[bobc88]

I actually prefer the all star cards to the regular issues. I can get a nice card of a superstar/HOFer for a fraction of the price for the regular issue.

[GasHouseGang]

That used to be true of all the "special" cards that pictured multiple stars too. These cards could be picked up for relative bargain prices. But over the years these cards have been catching up.

[Econteachert205]

A lot of the 58's were double prints and wasn't the mantle considered a triple print?

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

A lot of the 58's were double prints and wasn't the mantle considered a triple print?

I believe you are right. The Musial was triple print as well.
Drew

[autograf]

I really like the 1958's and 1961's. The 1961's are a bear to find with really nice centering.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by almostdone

I believe you are right. The Musial was triple print as well.
Drew

They pulled four other cards for two extras of each of these IIRC. Not sure what the actual ratio as one of the print runs or sheets didn't have the TP's but the Musial and Mantle AS cards are abundant.

[brian1961]

skelly---

I always ranked the regular issue card above the all-star card. That being said, the all-star card was still very important to me, sort of a nice commemorative card extolling the player's selection to a distinguished All-Star team. The fact many of them were in the seventh series certainly did play a part at making them special.

My favorite year was 1961, as that was the first year I began collecting cards. I only got one nickel wax pack of cards from that series. Guess that's why I really cherish that year, though mainly because I was with my busy dad, who bought me the pack on a late summer or early fall evening. The '61 All-Star design was truly stunning.

As you may recall, the Mickey Mantle card that famed NBC sports broadcaster Bob Costas has carried in his wallet for many years is Mick's 1958 Topps All-Star, a beaute. He probably got it when he was a kid. I always thought that was neat.

--Brian Powell

[Shoebox]

This thread actually inspired me to pick up the Musial and Mathews from the 58 set today. Considering building the whole all star subset from this year. Looks like it can be acquired for pretty reasonable prices. Ted Williams looks to be the most expensive pick up.

[frankh8147]

I have always though that this subset is awesome. I have mostly been a pre-war collector but for me, these cards are too much to resist...here are my favorites. Autographed examples of this set have been my recent chase.

[Shoebox]

Shortly after this thread began I came across these twin 58 AS and decided I wanted to get all of them. Since this thread inspired it was going to use it to update my progress. Will start with the HOFers. Here are the first two with another on the way.