1952 Topps complete set

[robsbessette]

Does anyone on here actually have a complete set? If so, are the high numbers just complete beaters? Or actually decent? How long did it take you to complete the set? How much money or cards in trade did it cost you? What was the hardest card to obtain? Is it a set you'll hold onto forever? Or do you think you'll eventually sell it?

Just playing 20 questions here since I'm pretty sure I'll never even try to complete the set, but it's always left me fascinated.

If there are any scans of some nice cards out there, I wouldn't be against seeing them either!

Thanks guys!!!

[mintacular]

No, i started a beater set but never finished. Being that there are about 100 high #'s you figure those in ok vg shape would be around $100 x 90 = 9K. That's too rich for my blood.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by robsbessette

Does anyone on here actually have a complete set? If so, are the high numbers just complete beaters? Or actually decent? How long did it take you to complete the set? How much money or cards in trade did it cost you? What was the hardest card to obtain? Is it a set you'll hold onto forever? Or do you think you'll eventually sell it?

Just playing 20 questions here since I'm pretty sure I'll never even try to complete the set, but it's always left me fascinated.

If there are any scans of some nice cards out there, I wouldn't be against seeing them either!

Thanks guys!!!

It is a beautiful set, and I would love to complete it. Just a little too rich for my blood. What card are you missing for your 53 Bowman set?

[robsbessette]

#133 Willie Jones. Looking for G/VG condition. Had plenty of opportunities to get it, but not at the right price. You have one?

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

It is a beautiful set, and I would love to complete it. Just a little too rich for my blood. What card are you missing for your 53 Bowman set?

[Bestdj777]

I wish I did so I could help you complete the set. Beautiful set. Congrats on the progress so far!

[ALR-bishop]

I have the set, including the red and black backs of the first series, the various Sain and Pages, the 3 Campos and both Mantles, Thompsons and Robinsons, plus the House yellow Tiger and Woodling/ Schieb border breaks. Plus the 3 Boones, the 2 Kretlows and 2 Fellers. Still looking for the 2nd Crandall. There are also other minor front color differences

To the extent a master set includes the Canadian gray backs I don't think I will ever get there. I have only 10 of them and they usually sell for more than the high number cards now.

I put the basic set together years ago. In 1967 The Card Collectors Company of NY was selling the Mantle for $25 and the high number series for $ 90. Each of the high numbers in decent condition today will cost 3 x that now.

As iconic as the set is, it is full of minor league guys, coaches and no name players due to the competition with Bowman for players

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I have the set, including the red and black backs of the first series, the various Sain and Pages, the 3 Campos and both Mantles, Thompsons and Robinsons, plus the House yellow Tiger and Woodling/ Schieb border breaks. Plus the 3 Boones, the 2 Kretlows and 2 Fellers. Still looking for the 2nd Crandall. There are also other minor front color differences

To the extent a master set includes the Canadian gray backs I don't think I will ever get there. I have only 10 of them and they usually sell for more than the high number cards now.

I put the basic set together years ago. In 1967 The Card Collectors Company of NY was selling the Mantle for $25 and the high number series for $ 90. Each of the high numbers in decent condition today will cost 3 x that now.

As iconic as the set is, it is full of minor league guys, coaches and no name players due to the competition with Bowman for players

That is extremely impressive. How do you have them stored? Do you view them often? I would probably look at that set every day...

[the 'stache]

it's just incredible that you have the set, Al. Do you have it scanned and online anywhere? I'd love to look at it.

[ALR-bishop]

I do not have my set scanned. Here are a couple of pieces. On CU a group of folks did a joint set where we posted all the cards in order

[campyfan39]

Al,
If you are looking to adopt a son, I'm interested! WOW

[dacubfan]

I collected the set as a kid (I'm 67 now) and had it about 80-90% complete but it was pretty rough. In 1980 I purchased a complete set which was for the most part really nice especially the semi's and high numbers. Paid 10K and my collecting buddies thought I was crazy. Over the past 8 years I have had the set completely graded by PSA and it's #18 on the Basic Registry. I have had to upgrade at least half the set and have probably spent another 20K over and above all the grading fees doing so. Just about 2 months ago I finally was able to find a PSA 7 Karl Olson #72 for the last card I needed. Had to pay over $1000 for this common but it is a card that never shows up in high grade. Trying now to get everything PSA 6 or 7. Really admire Al for his Master Set. I have not concentrated on those. Keep mine in the largest safe deposit box available and can barely lift it off the ground!! Really a fun set but definitely a challenge in all respects.

[Doug]

I got a little over halfway several years ago, but those high number commons were budget killers. The Mantle, Mathews, Robinson, Campanella and Reese are bad enough, but trying to find the rest of the high numbers in decent shape without spending a fortune is a tough task.

[ALR-bishop]

Here is the 1967 Card Collector's Catalog with prices you can dream about for the 52 high numbers:

[SMPEP]

I'm almost there but stuck on 5 grey backs. If anyone has:

150 Beard, 159 Rogovin, 161 Byerly, 180 Maxwell, 189 Reiser

Let me know. I have many extra grey backs I can trade.

Cheers,
Patrick

[Republicaninmass]

i'm working on the complete set with black/red backs. About half way there on 1-310 after 3-4 years of upgrading and buying lots looking for perfect centering grades vg+. Also, I am working on the autographed set, and at about 200/310 with 15 hi's. One of my goals is to open a nickel
pack of 52's

[dacubfan]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Here is the 1967 Card Collector's Catalog with prices you can dream about for the 52 high numbers:

Funny how there is a price break between card 99 and 100. I remember stressing about paying a dollar for hi's in the late '50s even. Heck for another 20 cents you could buy a whole box with 24 packs of the new cards.

[the 'stache]

The passion you all display for our hobby is simply amazing. I really do love this site. I wish I'd discovered it long ago.

And Al, that graded Mantle is jaw dropping. Hell, they're all beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[flkersn]

delete

[CobbSpikedMe]

I must say to those who have this set complete or even near complete that I am very impressed. I don't see myself ever going after this one. I've just heard too much about the difficulty and money spent to start it. Maybe I'll go after the low number set and leave it at that though.

Best regards.

AndyH

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I do not have my set scanned. Here are a couple of pieces. On CU a group of folks did a joint set where we posted all the cards in order

Hey AL awesome cards. Do you ever get tempted to open that pack? do you think you ever will someday?

[ALR-bishop]

It is part of a full set and pack run, so no. Plus since I have the set, and upgrading a card or two is not a temptation. Besides, whatever is in there is likely worth less than the unopened pack. The mystery is usually better than the reality

[extremeboy]

How much is a 52 Topps pack worth in PSA 5 and up or GAI 8? I am over 90% complete with the set and I have been looking for a pack to place in my collection. The buy it now price on Ebay is crazy.

[cammb]

I have 95% SGC graded and #1 on the SGC Registry. I collect sgc 60 and up.
I dont collect the variation but am interested in the 2 Mantles. What is the variation?

[ALR-bishop]

On the back of the two Mantles, Thompson and Robinson, the high number double prints the stitching on the baseball on the back runs right or left. On the Mantle front the e in the auto is full or cut off and the top star line is straight or wavy

[Bestdj777]

There is also a variation with the square box on the front. One is missing the bottom black line, one isn't. Thats the way I distinguish the two.

[ALR-bishop]

You can see the two side by side on page 2 in this thread

[darrend505]

It is beautiful set, but one I will probably not complete anytime soon due to $$$. However I am working on a mid grade 1953 Topps set, and I am missing only 17 cards to have it complete!

[HaloFan]

I'm casually pursuing the set. I only have about 80+ low numbers and 13 highs. Some of the highs that I have are in fairly decent shape and some of them are beaters. If I see them available for a decent price, I'll jump on it, but they are so pricey, I can only buy them one at a time. They catch my eye because they are not that common. I don't like people calling them rare, but you won't see too many dealers with '52 highs(one or any quantity) at even the larger regional shows much less the National.

Craig H

[wolfdogg]

Just recently sold my set (407 all red backs + 55 of the Low # black backs + The Page/Sain variations + the #307 Frank Campos Black Star; Frank House Tiger variations, Boone background variations and the Woodling and Schieb "gap in border" cards)

My High numbers were from Poor-Ex or so......not sure how long it took to get that far

Last card was #325 Serena

[campyfan39]

If anyone has doubles in decent shape (VG to EX) of the base set (dont care about variations) I am interested.

[mattsedate]

Originally Posted by robsbessette

Does anyone on here actually have a complete set? If so, are the high numbers just complete beaters? Or actually decent? How long did it take you to complete the set? How much money or cards in trade did it cost you? What was the hardest card to obtain? Is it a set you'll hold onto forever? Or do you think you'll eventually sell it?

Just playing 20 questions here since I'm pretty sure I'll never even try to complete the set, but it's always left me fascinated.

If there are any scans of some nice cards out there, I wouldn't be against seeing them either!

Thanks guys!!!

A complete set would be crazy.