Smaller 1930s sets and the HOFers within

[FrankWakefield]

Hey Rob,

Having thought about this a bit, it seems to me that most collectors who decide to gather a few cards from the 30s usually gravitate toward the 1933 Goudey cards. There are lots of them, and they're readily identifiable by prewar collectors. THAT is an initial reason why folks didn't start with a focus toward Diamond Stars or Tattoo Orbits. I think the FIRST card from the era is acquired because of who the player is, not which set it is... and then more cards are likely to be gathered from that same set. So Goudey's are most likely to be collected, then Diamond Stars or Exhibits.

The high number of expensive HOFers, and the obscurity of the sets, put folks off with these smaller sets, as you've surmised. My first card from the 30s was a Goudey. Maybe T206 keeps someone from focusing on DeLongs... Maybe Goudeys does. Eventually I got a few cards from the set you mentioned. My first DeLong's card was Greenberg, I think I now have 3 or 4 DeLongs. I only have 2 US Caramels, some boxer and Earle Combs. I'd wanted Combs for several years before I finally got one, I was after him because he's one of 4 HOFers from Kentucky. With him I'm done with US Caramels, too many HOFers and an obscure set (to some). For a time I was seeking a card of each HOFer from his playing days. One card of each was enough. (I've since sold some of them and the goal is no longer a goal.)

I have 2 Butter Creams, half a dozen Tatto Orbits, and I think I have a George C. Miller and one S&S... just got them as type cards. No plan on completing them. Although there was a time that I contemplated finishing DeLongs and TO's.

The first set I completed was 1967 Topps, and that was in 1967. Mom later pitched them. Today I lack a couple of dozen. When I again started collecting, the first set I completed was 1948 Bowman. There, the quantity in the set helped. Same for W512s (although I lack one of the Cobb variations). Size helped. Still, when it comes to 1932-1936, there are all of those 33 and 34 Goudeys, all of those Diamond Stars. So someone after a particular player may well get one from one of those popular sets, and then they're more likely to chase others in that set than they are likely to seek cards from one of these smaller sets.

Thank you for starting a thread about prewar ballcards.


*** And as I suffer with CRS, someone has kindly emailed me that Greenberg isn't in DeLong's, and they're right. My first Foxx card was his DeLong card, and that was my first DeLong card. I think folks first get a card in these smaller sets because they're after a particular player, for me it was Foxx. (I think Greenberg was my first 34 Goudey.)