Any Topps Post War Completionists out there?

[dodgerfanjohn]

I really don't think I'll ever get there. I have 1976-present Topps sets. 1980-present just because 1980 was the first year I got cards(my grandfather started buying them for me and I just loved them), and the prior years because they were not expensive. 1974 and 1975 aren't really expensive either and I'll eventually get those. I am almost complete on a 1960 Topps set. When I finish that I was thinking 1969 or 1956. I'm willing to go down to ExMt for 1959-1972. And then down to Ex for 57-58, and Vg-Ex for 1953-1956....assuming I ever get there. Those mid 50's cards are so big that they look really nice, even with slightly rounded corners.

Well see though. I don't think I'll ever really get this all done. Some of those 1960's sets are kinda tough to do in ExMt or better in the high numbers. And the Mantle cards are pricey and problematic if not TPG.

[ALR-bishop]

Good luck in your quest John. Maybe for years that appear too daunting you could do all the Dodger cards

[familytoad]

Yep, I did the silly quest too..
1953 through 1980 though, none of the newer ones which just don't interest me much(although I had a zillion of the late 80's-90's like everybody else)

I need 583 more, with several completed sets.
I have finished:
1953
1955
1960
1962
1970
1972
1973
1974
1977
1978
1979
1980

I need mostly high numbers in those damn unfinished 60's. I collect any grade, and rarely upgrade but for the totally destroyed ones.
I have spread it out pretty nicely though, as I have over 80% of every set , and down to just a single card in 1959(Yankees tm) and 1965 (Niekro).
I'd love to find low grade 61 ,66 and 67 high numbers for reasonable prices.
I'd love to grab a few of the 54 and 58 commons I need too...they aren't hard to find but I don't spend much time on this quest with my prewar addiction

[brightair]

I have been working on the Topps run (1951 - 1972, no interest in anything past that year), and am within about 53 cards of completion. However, I decided that the 1952 set ended at 310, and unless the girlfriend wins the lottery, I won't change my mind.
I also am working on the early Bowman run (1948 - 1955) and am within about 125 of that goal, 2/3 of those being 1949s, many still easy commons. I don't expect to ever completely finish this run, due to the early Robinson and Mantles, but it's fun and they are beautiful cards anyway, even in lower grades.
And I do collect the lower grades, because I am a collector, not an investor, or otherwise wealthy lad.
I have, for better or worse, become variation-addicted, and have found hundreds, perhaps thousands, of them by searching through boxes at shows and online. This pursuit will certainly continue until I am too old to fit a card in a pocket, as I am discovering new variations all the time. This makes card shows endlessly entertaining and fruitful, even now that my wantlists are becoming tough just as the wallet becomes thin. There are still many variations to be found that most dealers are unaware of, so "bargains" can be found by the diligent.
I have tried to assemble a kind of master list of variations (including errors and whatever) and the list can be seen at my webpage
https://sites.google.com/site/richarddingmancards/home
... just scroll to the bottom and click on the appropriate link.
Great thread, best of luck to all, and hopefully we can help each other accomplish our various goals!
Richard D
OBC, VCT, OCT, Dugout

[ALR-bishop]

Your lists are a great resource Richard. I have printed copies of many of them. I collect variants with my sets as well, and they are proliferating, especially with the internet and better scans which make even finding them on line in the absence of shows easier. But shows do make finding back variants easier, and alas there are few of them in South Texas.

To me the issue has become choosing between the many minor print defects that exist in all sets, and variants which in some way rise to a collectible level because they may warrant or eventually garner broader hobby recognition. I have a lot of what I view as only minor print defects as opposed to true variations in my sets. But, some print defects, for example the 57 Bakep, the 58 Herrer, and now the 61 Fairly have achieved widespread hobby recognition

I hope your girlfriend hits the lottery...and she likes you enough to invest in 52 high numbers for you

[frankhardy]

I guess you would say that I am a completionist. Although my main focus is Cardinals team sets, my secondary focus is on Topps base and traded sets.

Currently I have completed 2013 Topps down to 1969 Topps. At one time I got a pretty good start on a 1952 Topps, but it was getting very expensive very quickly, so that one is on hold indefinitely. I have decided to go in reverse order. Right now, I have the 1968 Topps set about 75% complete. I go at these complete sets a little at a time. I will probably have the 1968 Topps set completed by the summer.

I do exactly what another poster said - I buy large lots and the sell off the duplicates in order to fund the next set. I pretty much got my 1969 for nothing.

On vintage sets, I do not worry about condition. My 1969 Topps set is in VG to VG-EX. As the sets get newer, the condition gets better. My 1970 and 1971 sets average about EX to EXMT...I think you get the picture. Once I have to start getting those expensive Mantle cards, low grade won't bother me at all.

[tedzan]

1947 BOND BREAD
1948 BOWMAN
1949 LEAF
1949 BOWMAN (regular set)
1949 BOWMAN (PCL)
1950 BOWMAN
1951 BOWMAN
1952 BOWMAN
1953 BOWMAN
1954 BOWMAN
1955 BOWMAN

1952 TOPPS
1953 TOPPS
1954 TOPPS
1955 TOPPS
1956 TOPPS
1957 TOPPS

1959 FLEER

1959 TOPPS
1960 TOPPS

1963 TOPPS
1964 TOPPS (large card set)

1966 TOPPS
1967 TOPPS

1970 TOPPS

1972 TOPPS (test set)
1973 TOPPS
1974 TOPPS
1975 TOPPS
1976 TOPPS
1977 TOPPS
1978 TOPPS
1979 TOPPS
1980 TOPPS
1981 TOPPS
1982 TOPPS
1983 TOPPS
1984 TOPPS
1985 TOPPS

"That's All Folks"


TED Z