Should I start a 1951 Topps Complete Set

[K-Nole]

Right now, my 11 year old son and I are trying to put together the 1971 Topps Baseball RAW set.

After that, I am thinking about doing the 1951 Topps RAW set with both Blue and Red back.

Reason being, their are not a lot of cards, and not a lot of high dollar commanding cards. To me, from the outside looking in, it looks like a relatively easy set to put together and fairly cheap.

Has anybody put this set together? If so, around how much $ was it, and how hard was it?

[6-4-3memorabilia]

it looks pretty tough, I would stay away personally because they are hard to find (even many dealers don't have them in stock) and most people consider the 1952 Topps set the "first Topps set" right or wrong. Its one of those forgotten sets in the card collecting world

[aelefson]

I really like the 51s, especially the red backs. It is full of hall of famers and relatively cheap due to a large unopened find in the 1980s. I also like that it is the first, baseball only, card set produced by Topps.

Edited to add, I have put the set together multiple times and it all depends on condition. No more than a few hundred for a very presentable set, and maybe less if you can get a group lot. It all depends on how much condition matters to you.

Alan

[nolemmings]

The '51s are not a great investment, IMO; however, from a purely collecting standpoint, I think it's a great set, for reasons you mentioned. Because they are generally well-centered, are thicker (less likely to crease) and have rounded corners, they easily make a presentable set. Even the HOFers are doable, and you can still find unopened red-back "packs" for relatively cheap, if you're looking for a neat companion/display piece. A great way to get a handle on the stars of the day. The blue backs are tougher and in some ways less desirable (not a great player selection), and blue-back panels are difficult if you're looking to add one for overall completeness, but I think you will find chasing this set enjoyable. Good luck.

[ALR-bishop]

I have collected all five of the 1951 sets. The red and blue backs are the easiest, with the blues being the harder of the two. The other 3, the Current and Connie Mack All Stars, and the Team cards are all tougher, and more expensive too. The latter 3, being scarcer, are also more likely to increase in value, if that is a factor for you. I agree that the red backs would not be that expensive to assemble over time, but it is not a very exciting set. The blues a little tougher and a little more expensive

Judging by current ebay listings for both, I don't think finding them will be tough

Two similar sets in terms of size, but easier and less expensive, would be the 69 Topps Deckle set or the 68 Topps game set,both of which have more star players

[6-4-3memorabilia]

here is an article about the set
http://www.psacard.com/Articles/Arti...d-war-ii-issue

[RedlegsFan]

K-Nole,
Not sure, but I think sometimes the availability of both 51s can depend on what area of the country you live in. I am a vintage collector in Ohio (which has a motherload shows) and I go to at least a dozen vintage shows a year. Size of at least 60 tables or more. Like Strongsville, Cinci Moeller, Columbus Veterans, Dayton Nutter Center, etc. I have typically found that hardly any dealers can find or carry 51s for their tables. Obviously one could speculate "why" in this region they are so rare, but I would go on a limb and say it has nothing to do with "choice." Dealers spend their time doing what ever they can to get their hands on early 50s issues, as they obviously hold their value.

As for the blues? Well, tell me where in Ohio to find them. Evilbay, ya ya ya. They still hardly exist. Short of dandee, red heart, etc., 51 blues are the hardest "50s set" to complete in regards to price/availability ratio.

A very fun set. If you see any blueback for under $10, buy it no matter what. Lol, then come see me in Ohio if you wanna double your money for the dupes! Great thread, thanks for reading

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[ALR-bishop]

Wes

The blues are definitely harder to find and more expensive than the reds. But with ebay and dealers on line this set is still fairly doable.

The Topps Current and Connie Mack All Stars, and the related 51 Team cards are all tougher and more expensive sets. And, the toughest Topps baseball related set issued at retail in the 50s was the 55 Topps Hocus Focus baseball subset. The 56 Hocus Focus baseball subset set is a close second. At least that has been my experience.

[RedlegsFan]

Thanks, I've heard little or nothing of the hocus focus. Will have to find out some more about them.

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[K-Nole]

Redlegs,

that is great and usefull advice on the $10 blue backs. Sounds like a good "go by" rule when we do the set.

And also good to know you would buy the dups too
Problem is on that issue, when me and Zack put SETS together, all the duplicates go into our "regular" collection.
All the "name" dups from sets we put together all go in Zack's "valueable" binder.

We are trying to finish the 71 set (having a hard time, as they are more $$ then we thought). But I have told him after we finish the 71, we will be doing the 51 set. He liked the idea a lot!!