Assembling a Vintage Set

[CamaroDMD]

Originally Posted by Brianruns10

How about the '55 set? It's super small, barely over 200 cards, and only has one really stopper, the Clemente rookie (but hey at least it's no '52 Mantle), and it's a damn sight to behold, Topps at it's most brilliant, colorful and saturated. You practically need sunglasses to look at them!

I think 1955 is the most beautiful set Topps ever did. But, I want a standard sized set I can put in an album. Otherwise, I would be all over the 1955.

[Brianruns10]

The size difference is pretty minimal. I thought album pages could take either the large or the standard size. I've certainly seen album pages that can take the large size Topps cards.

The trick with starting a standard set, is they get really, really huge. The '57 set was the largest since the '52, and they only get bigger and bigger as Topps' monopoly grew stronger in the 60s.

[pawpawdiv9]

if you want a nice Aaron..look at the 55 johnston cookies--NICE
or the 57 spic n span

[vintagetoppsguy]

If you're limiting your choice to '57-'65 Topps because you want to store them in an album, you can get 8 pocket pages that will store '52-'56 Topps. They fit in a standard size ablum.



I like the '56 set for several reasons:

1.) Some of the background action shots are absolutely amazing
2.) Mantle that won't break the bank
3.) Nice 2nd and 3rd year cards of Aaron, Banks, Kaline, Killebrew, Clemente, Koufax - no expensive rookies to buy
4.) Very colorful set
5.) Still a fairly small set compared to '57 and later
6.) No expensive high numbers to fool with
7.) A lot of the player's head shots are the same from previous years

[ALR-bishop]

Agree with David, my 52-56 Topps sets are all in binders in 8 pocket sheets, and look good that way. Favorite 50s set though is 57. For the 60s it is 67, and for the 70s, 72

[rsdill2]

My opinions:

'57: Great selection of rookies, no difficult high series to complete. Ted Williams.

'58: No difficult high series, Nice and simple design and colors. Lots of fun variations if you're into that.

'59: Definitely not my favorite. Too much of a repeat of '58s.

'60: My favorite. Love the colors and horizontal photos.

'61: Most difficult high numbers of any '57-'65. Some consider it a bland design but I kind of like it. Also really like the MVP subset.

'62: The "woodies" are polarizing - some love em, some hate em. I'm not a fan but I do really like the Babe Ruth subset. Lots of variations.

'63: Solid set. The Rose RC is an iconic card. The set is very colorful and uses good photos. Lots of semi-high and highs to chase but you can generally find deals on the commons.

'64: My least favorite of the bunch. Uninspiring design, weak rookie selection.

'65: Decent selection of rookies, pleasant card design, relatively easy high numbers.

If you're only going to do one, I'd say don't do '59, '61, '62 or '64. I'm partial to the '60 set but others aren't fans of the horizontal design. Next favorites are probably '57 or '63.

To rank them strictly in order of how much I like the set I'd go: 60, 63, 57, 61, 65, 58, 62, 59, 64

Difficulty to complete ranking: 57, 61, 63, 62, 58, 59, 60, 65, 64

[ALR-bishop]

Great post Robert....except that you are all wrong about the 59s . ( It was the first set I completed )

[toledo_mudhen]

55 does it for me.... 8 pocket pages are easily obtainable and they look great in them...just sayin

[AMBST95]

Based on your guidelines, I'd probably do the 57s or the 60s. The 57s match well with your Milwaukee interests and have a large selection of Hof rookies and a high number series. Basically everything you're looking for. The 60s provide the horizontal look and have great color, which I love. Because of the lack of HOF RCs, it'll be more affordable too.

[Bestdj777]

Just a thought, but have you considered ditching the traditional set idea and instead going for a complete run of Milwakee Braves cards? In the end, I would imagine it will be about the same number of cards as picking a set from any year, and it will allow you to limit your purchases to just your favorite team.

[CamaroDMD]

I have considered just doing a Braves only set. Is there an easy way to assemble a checklist for something like this?

[ALR-bishop]

Once you know what years and what sets you want to utilize you can get to the checklists without to much trouble. For instance see www.teamsets4u.com

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Once you know what years and what sets you want to utilize you can get to the checklists without to much trouble. For instance see www.teamsets4u.com

+1. That is really a great website.

The good thing about team sets is that you are only collecting players you really like plus you get to purchase several different years and see what actual set appeals the most to you before diving in.