Consign with Probstein

[ALR-bishop]

The 59 set was the first Topps set I completed years ago. I eventually added all the recognized variations ( check to see if your set has any of them because that would be another selling point). But only recently did I finish adding all the gray/white stock variants. If there is a master set collector out there working on such a project in mid grade you could luck out. The grays are tougher and usually have a slight premium over the whites

[robsbessette]

Thanks Al, I think I should be able to get a good chunk back. Maybe not all. But close.

Do you have a list of the variations? I know Spahn is one, but not sure of others.

The thing that drew me to this purchase were the fact that it had all the grey and white backs. That means two Maris and other HOFers within those numbers in which both backs were printed.

[marvymelvin]

Hey Rob. Brad here. As always I love to help with a little research now and then. I hope you have been able to move that Mantle/Maris piece. Here is a list of key cards and semi key cards from your 59 set. The better condition the better your return. However I agree with previous comments that trying to turn a profit on this set is tough, not because it isn't wanted, just because there is a "plethora" of 59 Topps cards out there for the taking. It seems that collectors either just buy the set to get it done, or "force themselves to have fun" by picking up a few cards at a time.

But the problem is that everyone who breaks these sets up always pull the cards I have listed and sell them separate. One way I have been successful in doing what you are wanting to do is to put teams sets together, and yes include the key cards. It is really annoying to look at a listing for "1959 Topps Yankees Team Set" lets say, only to find out it is a team set minus the Mantle.

At the end of the key cards list is a description of variations to look out for. I make no mention of the gray backs vs. white backs because it seems you know about that already.

Happy hunting!

Mickey Mantle (#10)
Willie Mays (#50)
Stan Musial (#150)
Sandy Koufax (#163)
Yogi Berra (#180)
Roger Maris (#202)
Ernie Banks (#350)
Al Kaline (#360)
Hank Aaron (#380)
Frank Robinson (#435)
Brooks Robinson (#439)
Roberto Clemente (#478)
Harmon Killebrew (#515)
Felipe Alou (#102)
George "Sparky" Anderson (#338)
Bill White (#359)
Norm Cash (#509)
Bob Gibson (#514)
Bob Allison (#116)
John Blanchard (#117)
John Callison (#119)
Ron Fairly (#125)
Deron Johnson (#131)
Billy Pierce All-Star (#572)

Multi-player cards

Al Kaline and Charlie Maxwell (#34 Pitchers Beware)
Ernie Banks, Dale Long, and Walt Moryn (#147 Cubs Clubbers)
Minnie Minoso and Rocky Colavito (#166 Destruction Crew)
Hank Aaron and Ed Mathews (#212 Fence Busters).
Gil McDougald, Bob Turley, and Bobby Richardson (#237 Run Preventers)
Johnny Podres, Clem Labine, and Don Drysdale (#262 Hitter's Foes)
Roberto Clemente, Bob Skinner, and Bill Virdon as the Corsair Outfield Trio (#543)

Highlights

Mantle Hits 42nd Homer For Crown (#461)
Kaline Becomes Youngest Batting Champ (#463)
Mays' Catch Makes Series History (#464)
Snider's Play Brings L.A. Victory (#468)
Musial Raps 3,000th Hit (#470)

16 team cards

Ford Frick #1
Roy Campanella (#550 Symbol of Courage)

Warren Spahn appears on card #40 with three different reverse variations: #40A incorrectly lists his birth year as 1931
#40B also shows 1931, but with the numeral "3" partially obscured.
#40C shows the correct birth year as 1921.

Card #316, which was supposed to show Ralph Lumenti of the Senators, features Pascual's headshot and exists in two variations.
#316A, the more common variation, states "Optioned to Chattanooga in March 1959"on the reverse just below the cartoon
The much scarcer #316B is missing this caption.

Several other cards exist with and without "traded" and "optioned" captions, including:
#321 Bob Giallombardo
#322 Harry Hanebrink
#336 Billy Loes
#362 Dolan Nichols

Hope this helps!

[ALR-bishop]

The version with the clear 1931 is the toughest and caries the biggest premium

[robsbessette]

So I got the 59 set in today and was checking against my own near complete set.

The one I got in was 1921, but then I check the one I already had (for years) and go figure, it's 1931 version.

Any idea how much this card alone should pull? I imagine it will help my resale chances. Condition isn't the greatest so I have no idea how much this variation should get.

[robsbessette]

UPDATE: I ended up selling this on Craigslist to a very pleased buyer. Broke even and am quite happy with the result. I don't normally deal with CL, but really didn't want to have to pay all the fees of eBay

[swarmee]

If the card value for each is above $1, consider comc.com . I just made a post about them on the non-sports sister board.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/52660...i-stock+market

This is a place that set-collectors can see a lot of cards and compare/buy/sell/trade/flip without taking physical property of the cards until they request them. Reduces a lot of the shipping costs, and gives you more control over the sales process.