Bigger lifetime project: '52 through '85 Topps and '51 Bowman sets

[Harliduck]

Yep...been smack in the middle of this project for about 8 years now...

Started by rebuilding a childhood memory of building the 1969 set and took off from there. Took stock of what I had in my childhood collection from the 80's...and just bought the sets I needed, that was cheap. So I have all the Topps, Fleer, Donruss base 80's sets to 1990.

Then the 70's...I had the 78 and 79 from childhood...took the time to upgrade those sets (cheap) and bought the 75, 76, and 77 in mint as whole sets. Well, 76 and 77...my 75 kinda sucks, I need to upgrade or buy a new one...anyhow, finished out 74 (for some reason I had about 70% from childhood. I then built the 70, 71, 72, and 73 sets...72 being the hardest. Had a lot of fun doing that. 70 & 80s...complete. I would say my 70's are 6's to 7's...very picky, and always upgrading (do you ever stop upgrading 71s?).

Went to the 50s next...completed 54, 55, and 57...got some killer 57 lots, one especially from a fellow who bought them himself in packs from 1957...that set had some 8's and 9's...I found this out because I did a set break to pay for an adoption we did (we now have that daughter for 6 years! Good investment...lol) and the set went for easily 5 times what I had into it and shocked me how much that sold for. Anyhow...

Jumped back to the 60's...So I quickly was able to do 68, not a hard set...then 66, then 67...hard sets...lol...then 60, 61, and 63. I also collect classic cars and had the opportunity to buy a rather rare car for the right price (1963.5 Ford Falcon Sprint) and sold my remaining 50 sets, and some of my 60 sets. That put me back a bit towards the goal...ugh.

Last year after a year off I jumped back in...almost done with the 60's (you can see my signature below) and have around 50% of the 50s waiting to be organized.

Long and short of it...yes, that is my goal to go 52-90...and it's been a heck of a journey. Lots of side tracks, lots of fun...and will be worth it. Just focusing on the 60's right now, set by set. Re-finished 1966 a couple of days ago, 3rd time I have done it. I am committed, as of now, haha....to quit selling things off. I don't sell my cars, so I am trying to hold myself to the same standard here. Certainly don't to it for profit, all for fun!