1966 Topps high numbers frustration

[Samsdaddy]

Reading this thread makes me glad that I am not building this set or the 67 for that matter as I think I would get too frustrated.

The only high number I seek from the 1966 set is one of my all time favorite players, Billy Williams.

[Tomman1961]

Wasn't there a story about 2 guys that went to as many shows as possible (in the early years) to buy every 1967 Brooks Robinson they could find, because it was a high number, and Brooks, and possibly a SP? The sole purpose was to hoard them for future sale.

[Rich Klein]

I made this post 2 years ago -- nothing has changed since then

was Card Collectors Company had a warehouse fire and for whatever reason a ton of the 70 Benches were destroyed in that fire (or water damaged). While other cards may have had similar issues, the Bench was the most in demand of those cards

As for the SCD article on Brooksie, iIRC Gary Sawatski and his then partner in the business Duane Scrhoen (sic) had sorted 5,000 or more 67's without finding ONE of those cards.

You do have to remember that in 1979 Bench was among the leading superstars in the game and Brooks had just retired and was beloved.

Plus, both players were World Series heroes in the days when being a World Series hero may have been the only 90 percent of the country saw you play

So, those cards being tougher cards in tough series were thus being not only sought after by collectors but also being kept by both advance and not so advanced collectors

Growing up in NY, we had tons of baseball to watch in the 70's on free TV and the games of the week as well. But if you grew up in a city like LA, I believe the only Dodgers games televised were Sunday road games and all the National games. And in cities without major league teams, probably less games to see as well.



Rich

[hangman62]

I just don't recall...say ...5 yrs ago the Grant Jackson being so tough to find/expensive. From past exp ( Ive put this set together about 4 times) ... the 66T hi's that always seem to be a struggle included - McLain, Tiger team,Clarke, and CC Coleman...oddly some cards that "seemed tough" back then ( G.Perry,McCovey,)..don't seem too hard/expensive to find now a days

[mintacular]

I found a Grant Jackson and 2 Coleman's in a dealer box for about $5/ea (or less), at the time I wasn't quite sure how valuable but for some reason those names stuck in my craw so I picked them up and resold them for around $100 and $50-60 respectively. Speaking of another tough card is Belanger '67 which I also picked up for around $10 and sold for $50-ish. Those were the days.

[Harliduck]

Took me over two years to finish my 66T's set, and I would guess if graded it would average 5's at the lowest as I was pretty strict on condition. I was blessed with a very lucky find, a collector who had a shop in the 80's early 90's sold me a card on Ebay and he lived locally to me. He emailed me asking for my list, which was about 20 cards left, all high numbers. He had 18 of them, and quoted me a price. Needless to say, it was a killer price...and when we met he also had a Grant RC he initially didn't think he had and threw it in. I was shocked, and couldn't pay the guy fast enough. With that lucky stroke I didn't have to attack that card.

For me the toughest ones to get were Art Mahaffey, Horace Clark, and the Tigers Team card (my last card, wife bought for last years Christmas). Getting my lucky break on the others saved some pain for sure. After I get my last couple of 1955T cards to complete that set, I am going after the 67. Should be fun...

[rsdill2]

Reading this post inspired me to round up the last 3 I needed to close out my set. Last one (#562 - Russ Snyder) arrived today (thanks Rob, with an assist from Al). Thrilled to finish this set. Here's my run of high numbers. Obviously no gems in there but other than a crease or two, I'm perfectly content with them just as they are.

I like to scan in my completed sets and post on photobucket, to see the whole '66 set, click here.

[darrend505]

This thread makes me Leary of start if the 1960s Topps years. I have completed 1971-to date and am currently working on 1953. Only need 42 to finish it!

[Jim65]

I am a Mets collector and bought all my cards pre-ebay days, I had way more trouble finding Lou Klimchock than Choo Choo Coleman.

The '67 highs were a true nightmare, the Seaver rookie was the last card I needed, more because of of price than rarity.

[robsbessette]

Poor Claude Raymond #586 forgot his fly was down. A little breezy down there for the big fella.

[Beatles Guy]

Ah, the Mahaffey and Cardinal Rookie Stars. It was very frustrating trying to pick those up for my Cardinals team set.