Has anyone ever given up on set collecting?

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

I have posted in this thread a couple of times, but I keep rereading it because I enjoy it. I agree with what Ed said about everyone doing it the way they enjoy. Collecting single HOFer cards sometimes appeals to me, but I enjoy all the cards that make up a set and seeing how sets fit together. Also, I know myself as a collector well enough to know that I always need/like to be dabbling with the cards. As a collector on a budget, sometimes the commons in a set come at a good time for me financially. I might not be able to afford another star card at a certain point, but I can add a few commons and make some progress, giving me some new cards to sort and play with.

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[JustinD]

Completely given up in the past couple years. I also just found no enjoyment in getting cards that did not interest me me just to fill a checklist and pass on others that did. I still have the sets from my childhood years that I still enjoy, but that is it.

I just like not necessarily collecting stars, but just cards that I enjoy looking at.

I do really find forum members like Larry and many of the OBC crowd that collect low condition sets to be pretty awesome in their collecting habits and might someday try building a gd-vg set for fun to try it out. I think I would need to do much better in my shows and trading habits as postage on a low condition project like that would take away the point in my mind.

[rats60]

I gave up on the t205 set twice before completing it on the third try. It is the true monster, much harder than t206. I can't imagine doing a Cracker Jack set, especially 1914. I am done with collecting sets. I will keep my t206, t205, 1933 Goudey and 1941 Play Ball sets and just pick up key singles from now on.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by rats60

I gave up on the t205 set twice before completing it on the third try. It is the true monster, much harder than t206.

Did you do the master?

[rats60]

Originally Posted by conor912

Did you do the master?

No, but I collected 5s and 6s. I do have the easier variations, but when I have to pay more than a Cobb or WaJo because of a minor text variation, i will pass.

[KMayUSA6060]

When I got back into the hobby a few years ago while I was in college, I tried to put together base sets for basketball, football, and baseball. Modern didn't do it for me, I had no interest in collecting vintage sets of guys I've never even heard of at times, so I determined that true set collecting wasn't for me.

However, the great thing about this hobby is the ability to create your own sets. Team sets, player runs, Hall of Fame sets, etc. THAT is what does it for me. My Hall of Fame project is what I'm having a blast with right now. Within the project, I have mini Hall of Fame sets, and I do consider the overall project to be a "set" (one of each Hall of Famer - I call it the Cooperstown set; not really, I just thought of that, but it sticks and I might start using it haha).

[bbcard1]

I am working on a 1961 set and am pretty committed to finishing it as it is my birth year but dang when you hit something like a high number team card that will set you back $40-60 for a nice grade and think I could have gotten a decent superstar for the same money, you start to wonder.

I'll probably get some 50s complete sets...I'd like a 59, but I will buy them whole.

[PowderedH2O]

I'm not sure what I will do. Nothing rash, because at 53, starting over really isn't something I'm looking to do. I am on pace to finish 52-present Topps and (52-55) Bowman (except 52 Topps highs) by 2025. I'm also working on getting playing days cards of each HOFer (minus Negro Leagues, pre 1900, and executives), plus playing days cards of cool players that weren't HOFers. Part of me just wants to stay the course and just finish it all up, then just work on the vintage stuff. Part of me hates the idea of paying $100 for a 1967 Topps high number of a marginal player, when I could get a nice vintage Paul Waner for that. Decisions, decisions...

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by JustinD

I do really find forum members like Larry and many of the OBC crowd that collect low condition sets to be pretty awesome in their collecting habits and might someday try building a gd-vg set for fun to try it out. I think I would need to do much better in my shows and trading habits as postage on a low condition project like that would take away the point in my mind.

^^This^^ I collect postwar but have thought about picking a set and trying this. I am not a high grade collector, opting more for mid-grade stuff. That being said, I am not sure I could ever "let go" enough to do it.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

^^This^^ I collect postwar but have thought about picking a set and trying this. I am not a high grade collector, opting more for mid-grade stuff. That being said, I am not sure I could ever "let go" enough to do it.

I used to think the same thing, then I read a quote...I think it was George Vreck (sp?). When asked about building low grade sets, he said something like " Obviously we'd all love to have mint cards, but the reality is we're not all rich and we don't have eternity to build these sets."

True that. Do the best you can. I think the beauty of the breadth of the finished set is worth the well chosen sacrifices in condition we have to make sometimes.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Couldn't agree more! That was my point in my rambling post over on the postwar board about the 1954 Topps set I put together. I have always been anti-crease and such, but I have often wondered if my level of satisfaction would really be any less with a lower grade set. Don't get me wrong, I am not looking for beaters but might entertain a collector grade set. Like I posted about that '54 set, I did give in a little in spots condition-wise relative to what I usually do, but the sum total (or the beauty and breadth as you so eloquently put it) of a completed set is pretty powerful. I wish I had unlimited collecting funds, but I don't. If I try and build every set high grade, I have learned that I will end up not completing and bogged down. There is something about taking the lid off the box and just seeing them all lined up.....and then pulling out those Cardsaver Is and looking through them all. Can't wait to get home tonight and look at my 1953 Topps!

Originally Posted by conor912

I used to think the same thing, then I read a quote...I think it was George Vreck (sp?). When asked about building low grade sets, he said something like " Obviously we'd all love to have mint cards, but the reality is we're not all rich and we don't have eternity to build these sets."

True that. Do the best you can. I think the beauty of the breadth of the finished set is worth the well chosen sacrifices in condition we have to make sometimes.

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