Has anyone here tackled the 1952 Topps set?

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by Doug

I know there are a bunch of collectors that over on the prewar side that are working on the T206 set and several that have completed it (with or w/o the big 4) and it got me to wondering how many people over here are working on or have completed the 1952 Topps set. My first project when I got into vintage cards back in '98 was to try and put together the 1952 Topps set, but I only got about halfway before I had to give up due to a combination of running out of funds and struggling to find the high numbers. If anyone has completed the set, it would be great to see some scans of your best cards!

I'm only doing the Dodgers team set and am left with the high numbers to chase at this point, whcih is scary enough! I can't believe how many Bums are highs in '52 but that's life. I admit the highs seem daunting and if I had to buy a Mantle it would probably be a deal killer but putting a full 407 card settoegtehr would be quite the achievement.

If Topps cards were not numbered, would people ignore the harder to find cards like in T206?

[Doug]

Originally Posted by toppcat

If Topps cards were not numbered, would people ignore the harder to find cards like in T206?

Its kind of similar to the 1933 Goudey set in that they are numbered and there are people that consider their set complete without the Lajoie so there are probably people that consider their 1952 Topps set complete without the Mantle.

[HRBAKER]

The 1952 Topps Mantle is by no way a hard card to find. Tough to pony up for, yes but not hard to find. I am not sure many folks consider a 1952 Topps set complete without #311. Many folks build a 1-310 set without the high numbers but I don't think they would call it complete.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

The 1952 Topps Mantle is by no way a hard card to find. Tough to pony up for, yes but not hard to find. I am not sure many folks consider a 1952 Topps set complete without #311. Many folks build a 1-310 set without the high numbers but I don't think they would call it complete.

True, I should have said harder to buy.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

The 1952 Topps Mantle is by no way a hard card to find. Tough to pony up for, yes but not hard to find. I am not sure many folks consider a 1952 Topps set complete without #311. Many folks build a 1-310 set without the high numbers but I don't think they would call it complete.

I don't think a set is complete unless it has all of the cards. That's one thing that turned me off on the T206 set. I might have been able to swing a beater Plank, but I'd never be able to afford a Wagner (unless I hit the Powerball) so I dont really see having a set that's missing one card. Then there's that whole set/master set argument. Is a 1952 Topps set complete at 407 cards or do you need all of the 1-80 red/black backs, the Campos variation, the 131-190 gray/yellow backs and both versions of the double printed Mantle, Robinson, and Thompson cards to call it complete?

[mightyq]

hi doug,
good post, i am currently building this set in psa 7 grade, i have 180 of the first 310...only highs i have are mantle, robinson, campy, . i do not consider the set complete until all the highs are done also. i started about 7 months ago, buying 7's are not hard at all, a select few are, black back etc, but overall doable. i figure the highs will take me 5 times longer than it takes me for the 1-310. thats if i want to get them in 7 grade...i might have to go with 5's and better to stay sane.

[pwilk17]

I have focused on the PSA master set of 490 cards - 1-80 in black and red backs - I do like the low number cards and have enjoyed obtaining one black and one red of each. I would like to complete the super master set including all of the gray backs.

[Doug]

I've considered trying to put together a lower grade G/VG set, but usually anytime I attempt building a set I end up running out of patience, money, or both. I recently picked up a PSA 1.5 Mantle so at least I have it out of the way, but it takes my budget so long to recover from a purchase like that I probably wouldn't be able to pick up any more cards for several months or longer. I mentioned in the latest pickup thread that I've actually owned three other '52 Mantles over the years (a SGC 30, PSA 3, and PSA 4), but anytime an unexpected expense came up the Mantle was always the first thing to go so I never got past one card. Maybe that's a sign I need to pick a cheaper set. I had a friend of mine that got 4 or 5 cards away from having the set finished and he ended up having to sell it. I'd like to give it another shot, but I guess I will wait and see. Good luck to all of you guys that are attempting the postwar "monster"!

[ALR-bishop]

I collect this set. I have the basic set of 407, plus 1-80 in both red and black back, plus the two black back versions of Sain and Page ( 3 variations in all). Also have the two variation of Mantle, Robinson and Thompson ( stiches on the back, and in the case of Mantle front differences as well) and the 3 variations of Campos ( regular, black star, and missing border).

I gave some thought to trying to do the grey back variations ( Canadians), but gave up in despair. Also have an unopened pack. It has always amazed me how many vitual unkowns are in the set, I assume as a result of the Topps/Bowman contract battles