Satisfied with team collecting?

[jchcollins]

I am ostensibly collecting full '56 and '67 sets right now, but realisitically know there may be a point where I have to make a decision to cut my goals to team (Cubs) sets. I have some of the other big names out of both, but I tend to get bored easliy and have a wandering eye for stars and HOF'ers all across the post-war spectrum. But with the Cubs, as someone who is a pretty die-hard fan, I'm not going to get bored with the details and history of even the older common players there anytime soon. And as others have made some points about teams like the Dodgers or Cleveland - Banks is the only real potential pricey card from most sets to put together - and even those outside of his RC for the most part are reasonable in mid-grade. The Cubs have other HOFers - Williams, Jenkins, Santo - that are even more reasonable. We'll see. I know at least in a pickle I can continue to quitely collect vintage Cubs for quite a long time without breaking the bank.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

I am ostensibly collecting full '56 and '67 sets right now, but realisitically know there may be a point where I have to make a decision to cut my goals to team (Cubs) sets. I have some of the other big names out of both, but I tend to get bored easliy and have a wandering eye for stars and HOF'ers all across the post-war spectrum. But with the Cubs, as someone who is a pretty die-hard fan, I'm not going to get bored with the details and history of even the older common players there anytime soon. And as others have made some points about teams like the Dodgers or Cleveland - Banks is the only real potential pricey card from most sets to put together - and even those outside of his RC for the most part are reasonable in mid-grade. The Cubs have other HOFers - Williams, Jenkins, Santo - that are even more reasonable. We'll see. I know at least in a pickle I can continue to quitely collect vintage Cubs for quite a long time without breaking the bank.

John, I think I get what you are saying 100%. Part of my collection are complete 1953 and 1954 Topps sets. There are many other issues from the 50s and late 40s I want. I realize I can't afford to build them all. However, I grow more fascinated with the Brooklyn teams from this era. Overall, not too pricey except for some Robinsons and 52 Topps high numbers, and perhaps Pee Wee's rookie. I could have a lot of fun collecting Brooklyn for a long time at a decent cost and get a sampling of many, many sets.

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[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

I could have a lot of fun collecting Brooklyn for a long time at a decent cost and get a sampling of many, many sets.

A close 2nd for me. I’ve also always been enthralled with the Brooklyn teams. You can pickup most mid-grade for a deal outside of Jackie. I have his ‘55 Topps card, but that’s it.


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[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

A close 2nd for me. I’ve also always been enthralled with the Brooklyn teams. You can pickup most mid-grade for a deal outside of Jackie. I have his ‘55 Topps card, but that’s it.


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I hear ya, John.Even if you "only" collected postwar Cubs, that would be a nice collection. You could always pick up something else if you wanted here and there.

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[AGuinness]

I'm a Red Sox team set collector, which has really made the hobby enjoyable for me. I started off going for a team set for every year Topps has made one, and I'm also going for error and variation cards. On the bright side, there aren't really any cards that would be out of my league (52T Mantle, for instance), particularly since Teddy doesn't have any epic cards during Topps' run.
I'm not far away from completing the run (less than 100), but I plan on going back through and upgrading the cards that need it. Extra cards aren't a worry, as I have two boys, two nephews and a niece that I give cards to for their birthdays in the hopes of sparking their interest.
In recent years, my focus has broadened and my big project is now a T206 Red Sox team set, all with different backs. I'm looking for some pretty scarce cards, it's been a good challenge and I have learned tons about pre-war cards. And on my mental list, I'll take a swing at the Red Sox CJs, Goudeys, etc.
Since I got back into collecting years ago, I also will buy a card now and then that is a "cool" card, even if it falls outside my collecting focus. But there were so many cards that I was in awe of as a kid, but never got close to owning. Now, I can splurge every so often to get one, which I typically hold for a while and then sell it. If I make a little money, great, if not, I get the satisfaction of owning an example. The first card I bought in this way was a Gretzky Topps rookie, which I really enjoyed having, enjoyed selling and still get a kick out of the fact that I did have one at some point.
I like team sets as it does limit the amount of cards in my collection. I'd rather not have 10s of thousands of cards to store/display/keep track of. Team sets are pretty manageable, and depending on the team, it can really help in learning some of the team's history. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with collecting Red Sox team sets (along with some other essential Sox cards - just got my 39 Play Ball Teddy last month!).

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by AGuinness

I'm a Red Sox team set collector, which has really made the hobby enjoyable for me. I started off going for a team set for every year Topps has made one, and I'm also going for error and variation cards. On the bright side, there aren't really any cards that would be out of my league (52T Mantle, for instance), particularly since Teddy doesn't have any epic cards during Topps' run.
I'm not far away from completing the run (less than 100), but I plan on going back through and upgrading the cards that need it. Extra cards aren't a worry, as I have two boys, two nephews and a niece that I give cards to for their birthdays in the hopes of sparking their interest.
In recent years, my focus has broadened and my big project is now a T206 Red Sox team set, all with different backs. I'm looking for some pretty scarce cards, it's been a good challenge and I have learned tons about pre-war cards. And on my mental list, I'll take a swing at the Red Sox CJs, Goudeys, etc.
Since I got back into collecting years ago, I also will buy a card now and then that is a "cool" card, even if it falls outside my collecting focus. But there were so many cards that I was in awe of as a kid, but never got close to owning. Now, I can splurge every so often to get one, which I typically hold for a while and then sell it. If I make a little money, great, if not, I get the satisfaction of owning an example. The first card I bought in this way was a Gretzky Topps rookie, which I really enjoyed having, enjoyed selling and still get a kick out of the fact that I did have one at some point.
I like team sets as it does limit the amount of cards in my collection. I'd rather not have 10s of thousands of cards to store/display/keep track of. Team sets are pretty manageable, and depending on the team, it can really help in learning some of the team's history. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with collecting Red Sox team sets (along with some other essential Sox cards - just got my 39 Play Ball Teddy last month!).

Great post! That is almost exactly what I envision doing with Brooklyn. Any chance you might show off that Williams?

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[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

Great post! That is almost exactly what I envision doing with Brooklyn. Any chance you might show off that Williams?

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I'll jump at the chance to show off my 39 Ted!

One big difference for me as a collector now as compared to a few years ago (much less when I was in 7th grade) is that I've got a good focus and a few rules about what I'll buy. One of which is a limit on what I'm going to spend on any one card. And even up until recently, I was somewhat resigned to the real possibility that I wouldn't be able to get a 39 Ted Play Ball that I'd be able to afford and in the condition that would present strong enough for me. And then, it just happened (and my first big AH win, too). It has its flaws, naturally, but I'm thrilled with it and still am giddy that it worked out in the end.