Any Topps Post War Completionists out there?

[darkhorse9]

I arbitrarily picked that year since that's the year the war started.

I wanted a major league set for each year that includes player distribution across the league.

I picked 1941 Play Ball over double Headers or Goudey because they just look better

There were no sets in 1942 (unless you believe the Play Ball set was re-issued without copyrights in 1942)

1943 had only the MP & Co

No major sets were issued in 1944 -1946 so I'm using the Exhibit set to fill that gap. Truth be told I'll probably not include the Gehrig, Rizzo and other 1939 cards since they're real expensive and were issued prior to my parameters.

1947 I could have used either Bond Bread or Tip Top and decided on the easier Bond Bread

1948-49 I went the easy route with Bowman

When I get to finishing up the 1950's I'll probably use 1952 Bowman instead of Topps because of the reasonable ability to complete it. I've got the 1955 Bowman set for that year. everything else is Topps.

[parkerj33]

I build the same way...buy lots, keep ex/ex-mt centered cards, selll off extras and keep building. Anyone have recommended sellers? i have had great luck with mickey's sports cards (in CO) for singles, but hit/miss on lots. I have extra lots in 70-76 right now. Finished all my sets 67, 69-90. Need to pick up some new lots to re-energize the chase, been dormant for awhile.

[baseballfan]

im trying the same crazy idea topps run 51- to present just the regular issue from the new stuff. i have from 73 up to like 05 and then i need like 2-3 in the 00's up to 2012. going back i have 51 red-52-53-55-56-57-59-62-69-70-71-72 all started.

i try to get a good deal on a lot of commons and stars and try to put the set together from there. my sets are usually VG+-EX-EX+ ( i hope) or better except for the 52-53 their all over the place. just have the low numbers started right now on these 2, but i hope to get to the hi's sooner or later.

having all of these sets started gives me a lot of years to collect. i too try to sell off my doubles but find it hard to part with them. now i'm looking to be more intent on getting rid of cards i no longer want or need. gotta do something with all this stuff.

i am down under 20 on a couple of sets and some are real nice so i only fill the holes with cards that are equal in condition (55-56-57). i got good deals on the starts (very sharp cards) of these sets and didnt think it through, now i want those same real nice cards for the set and they are a lot more $$. oh well i guess i have time.

i have doubles of the 50's sets if anyone is interested in trading. i also have done well with mickey's cards top notch seller IMO.

good luck

[dodgerfanjohn]

I really don't think I'll ever get there. I have 1976-present Topps sets. 1980-present just because 1980 was the first year I got cards(my grandfather started buying them for me and I just loved them), and the prior years because they were not expensive. 1974 and 1975 aren't really expensive either and I'll eventually get those. I am almost complete on a 1960 Topps set. When I finish that I was thinking 1969 or 1956. I'm willing to go down to ExMt for 1959-1972. And then down to Ex for 57-58, and Vg-Ex for 1953-1956....assuming I ever get there. Those mid 50's cards are so big that they look really nice, even with slightly rounded corners.

Well see though. I don't think I'll ever really get this all done. Some of those 1960's sets are kinda tough to do in ExMt or better in the high numbers. And the Mantle cards are pricey and problematic if not TPG.

[ALR-bishop]

Good luck in your quest John. Maybe for years that appear too daunting you could do all the Dodger cards

[familytoad]

Yep, I did the silly quest too..
1953 through 1980 though, none of the newer ones which just don't interest me much(although I had a zillion of the late 80's-90's like everybody else)

I need 583 more, with several completed sets.
I have finished:
1953
1955
1960
1962
1970
1972
1973
1974
1977
1978
1979
1980

I need mostly high numbers in those damn unfinished 60's. I collect any grade, and rarely upgrade but for the totally destroyed ones.
I have spread it out pretty nicely though, as I have over 80% of every set , and down to just a single card in 1959(Yankees tm) and 1965 (Niekro).
I'd love to find low grade 61 ,66 and 67 high numbers for reasonable prices.
I'd love to grab a few of the 54 and 58 commons I need too...they aren't hard to find but I don't spend much time on this quest with my prewar addiction

[brightair]

I have been working on the Topps run (1951 - 1972, no interest in anything past that year), and am within about 53 cards of completion. However, I decided that the 1952 set ended at 310, and unless the girlfriend wins the lottery, I won't change my mind.
I also am working on the early Bowman run (1948 - 1955) and am within about 125 of that goal, 2/3 of those being 1949s, many still easy commons. I don't expect to ever completely finish this run, due to the early Robinson and Mantles, but it's fun and they are beautiful cards anyway, even in lower grades.
And I do collect the lower grades, because I am a collector, not an investor, or otherwise wealthy lad.
I have, for better or worse, become variation-addicted, and have found hundreds, perhaps thousands, of them by searching through boxes at shows and online. This pursuit will certainly continue until I am too old to fit a card in a pocket, as I am discovering new variations all the time. This makes card shows endlessly entertaining and fruitful, even now that my wantlists are becoming tough just as the wallet becomes thin. There are still many variations to be found that most dealers are unaware of, so "bargains" can be found by the diligent.
I have tried to assemble a kind of master list of variations (including errors and whatever) and the list can be seen at my webpage
https://sites.google.com/site/richarddingmancards/home
... just scroll to the bottom and click on the appropriate link.
Great thread, best of luck to all, and hopefully we can help each other accomplish our various goals!
Richard D
OBC, VCT, OCT, Dugout