Best Year for set collectors/ Worst year

[darkhorse9]

I've been trying to collect at least two major sets from every year. Some years it's easy as there were plenty to choose from. Other years not so much.

I went back and looked at years 1952-1973 to see what major sets we're released each year outside of any Topps or Bowman product. It's pretty eye opening. I've listed the years and sets below, sticking to sets from the SCD that are still widely collected today.

1954 and 1960 had plenty of options. 1961 was an awesome year and the early 70's had promise.

The absolute worst year for collectors has to be 1956. Losing Bowman and only 17 non-Topps sets of any kind (1 national). 1965 was close behind with 14 sets, but at least there was something.

What what years do you think we're the best/worst for collectors?

1952 Berk Ross, Dixie Lids, Red Man
1953 Dixie Lids, Johnston Cookies, Glendale, Red Man
1954 Dixie Lids, Johnston Cookies, DanDee Red Heart, Red Man, Wilson Franks
1955 Johnston Cookies, Red Man
1956 Kahns
1957 Kahns, Swift Meats
1958 Bells, Hires, Kahns
1959 Armour, Bazooka, Fleer Ted Williams, Kahns
1960 Armour, Bazooka, Bell Brand, Kahns, Leaf, Nu Card Hi Lites, Post
1961 Bazooka, Bell, Fleer Greats, Golden Press, Kahn's, Nu Card Scoops, Post
1962 Bazooka, Bell, Post, Kahn's
1963 Bazooka, Fleer, Post, Kahns, Salada
1964 Bazooka, Kahns
1965 Bazooka, Kahns, Old London
1966 Bazooka, Kahns
1967 Bazooka, Kahns
1968 Bazooka, Kahns
1969 Bazooka, Kahns, Milton Bradley, Nabisco Team, Transogram
1970 Bazooka, Fleer World Series, Kellogg's, Transogram
1971 Bazooka, Kellogg's, Milk Duds
1972 Kellogg's, Milton Bradley, Kellogg's ATG
1973 Kellogg's

[ALR-bishop]

Neat idea for a thread Mark

[jason.1969]

The 1961 Nu-Card set was such a great way to learn the history of MLB. And to have that Golden Press out the same year, not to mention Mantle/Maris chasing the record, would have turnes a lot of kids on to baseball history.

From a dollar standpoint, not much to the year. But I be it would have been great to be a young collector that year.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I love 52 Berk Ross, probably something fundamentally wrong with me. Love the Pee Wee action shot. Don't think two cooler defensive cards have ever been made between that and his 53 Bowman Color. You can get the Berk Ross in PSA 6 for about $100 as opposed to the BC.

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Neat idea for a thread Mark

I agree completely!!! Very Nice, Mark!!!

Adding in somewhat popular non-Topps/Bowman stuff (that I collect):

1955 — Armour Coins, Kahns, Golden Stamps

1959 — Home Run Derby, Morrell Meats
1960 — Fleer Baseball Greats, MacGregor, Morrell Meats
1961 — Morrell Meats, Peters Meats
1962 — Auravision Records, Jell-O, Salada Coins
1963 — Bazooka All-Time Greats, Jell-O, Pepsi-Cola Colt-45s
1964 — Auravision Records, Bazooka Stamps, Challenge the Yankees Game, Rawlings
1965 — Challenge the Yankees Game

1967 — Ashland Oil, Dexter Press
1968 — Atlantic Oil Game Cards, Dexter Press Postcards
1969 — Citgo Coins, Globe Import Playing Cards, Kelly's Pins, MLB Pins
1970 — Rold Gold 3-D, Milton Bradley
1971 — Dell Stamps, Fleer World Series
1973 — Milton Bradley

[nolemmings]

I can't really argue with 1956 being sparse to nearly barren, and you no doubt didn't list all sets, but I kind of like the 1965 Challenge the Yankees for that weak year.

You did leave out two of my favorites, the 1959 Home Run Derby and the 1961 Peters Meats Twins sets.

[darkhorse9]

I didn't intend for this to be a comprehensive list. Just a thumbnail of what was out there.

Some years it's hard to imagine what kind of withdrawals collectors were going through

[clydepepper]

I have to add:

1961 Golden Press

The first colorized pictures I ever saw of pre-war Hall-of-Famers. And, IMO, very well done.


AAAH! I just looked back and the OP had it on his original list...I'm okay with just plugging a personal favorite, then.