For set collectors: Set scarcity

[Archive]

Posted By: Rob Dewolf

I'm trying to put together an R306 Butter Creams set and am about halfway there. I have little prayer of ever getting the Ruth, so I'll be content when I acquire 29 of the 30.

I've actually considered trying to compile a "master" set of 58, which would be each card with the two different dates on the back. But if I do that, it'll be after I own 29 different fronts, regardless of their backs. That likely isn't the smartest way to do it (I probably should pick up whatever cards I need in respect to the backs whenever I see them), but that's the plan for now.

This is the first set I've collected since putting together a set of 1954 Dan Dees about 15 years ago. I started and quickly bailed on a 49 Leaf baseball set 2-3 years ago simply because it was too frustrating shelling out major bucks for short-printed common players. Plus, it became apparent pretty quickly that I wasn't going to have the patience to stick with it for the years that would be required to complete it.

I normally focus on collecting cards of only Cleveland players but was drawn to the Butter Creams for a few reasons. They're scarce, there are a few Indians in the set, there are only 30 cards in the set and there are a nice selection of HOFers but none that command lump-in-your-throat prices (with the exception of Ruth). Plus, for whatever reason I like the fact that the cards are black-and-white and not all that attractive.