Starting out in vintage football

LuckyLarry · #1 11-30-2015, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

What are your current projects? Matt, Jeff, and Larry (and everyone else), same for you. What are you all collecting right now? Do you guys like graded or ungraded? Condition wise do you go for high grade cards or lower grade cards?For those of you building vintage football sets, are you extremely conscious about condition, or are you content to complete these sets?

I'm a pre '81 set builder (baseball football basketball hockey) and I collect cards in (affordable) P-VG condition. On the football front I've finished my Philadelphia sets, I need about twenty cards to finish my Fleer run, twenty-two cards (mostly '72 Topps high numbers) to complete my Topps run, and 103 cards for my Bowman run. Lately I've been concentrating on my '52 Bowman Large and Small sets. Almost all of my collection is raw cards stored in boxes.
Larry

Laxcat · #2 11-30-2015, 06:52 AM

I started with the 70's Topps sets. The '72 is far and away the most difficult to complete. I have most of my sets(48-79) in the 85% to complete range. My main focus now: some of the SP's from the '52 large and I would like to pick up some more prewar football. I keep hoping to run into some at a show, but eBay and this forum have been my best avenue for picking stuff up.

Good choice with the Philly sets. Good clean photography, RC's that topps doesn't have, and the sets aren't too big.

TanksAndSpartans · #3 11-30-2015, 09:22 AM

Hi Robert, Great news you are diving in! Looking forward to seeing your progress.

My only real card project right now is the Chicle set. I'm 5 cards away, but I'm also working on upgrades at the same time as some nice ones have become available recently at relatively low prices (relative to where they were recently at least). Also looking forward to some time around the holidays to finally finish putting my best of each example from the 84 Topps set (pulled this from packs as a kid) into binders (that's an out of town project - started last Christmas). I only had to buy 1 card from eBay to finish, but I think I still need some inserts - heading into the home stretch on that one at least. No plans to upgrade as I want the ones I collected.

I also really like early NFL and semi-pro (specifically Ohio teams like the Tanks and Armcos) history (specifically 1920-1939). Other than the Chicle set and a few scattered single NFL players here and there (Star Player Candy, Spalding, some strip cards), one would have to dive into other collectables like matchbooks, photos, programs, etc. and I'm not sure if I'll take that plunge yet. Maybe someday.

#4 11-30-2015, 09:36 AM

As a kid in the 1980's I sat at a used book store filing thru boxes of loose miscellaneous cards to gather pre-1976 football for a couple summers. I managed to cobble together an entire 1976 set at 1 penny a card this way. I did not collect baseball because they were 2 or 3 cents. These cards are in PR-G condition, a lot of my cards from the 1970's are beloved beaters.

Fast forward thirty years and the cards are no longer a penny apiece

, but I still enjoy set building. While I have been tempted to buy an entire set at auction before (SSA's recent '51 Bowman's set was real nice) I prefer the process. I typically buy large partial sets at auction in the VG/EX range raw. I enjoy trading for commons, and purchase graded stars with good eye appeal, 3-4 cards per set. Usually working on a half dozen sets at any time. My earlier sets 1959-1972 are in much better condition than those I gathered as a youth, but hard to say which I like more in the collection.

Most importantly, have fun!

jefferyepayne · #5 11-30-2015, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

Larry

I used to keep all of my sets in boxes as well, Larry. Very good for maintaining them but not so great for looking at them without handling them. I would occasionally nick on of my cards while handling them.

A while back I started moving sets to binders sloooowly and have made quite a bit of progress. Of course the valuable stuff is in the bank but these are some of my football sets I keep around to look at.

jeff

sockwell123 · #6 12-01-2015, 11:13 AM

Best of luck with your collecting!

Jeff - Looks like you're fixing to need another cabinet to hold more binders. Very nice sir.

Beansballcardblog · #7 12-01-2015, 06:51 PM

Welcome to the world of vintage football. I just got into it this year myself. I'm working to complete the 1955 All-American set. Once I get it completed, I will work to upgrade. A lot of the ones I have are very low grade. I have my set scanned into a flickr folder, so if I'm at a show or shop, I can take a quick look online at my set and figure out if I need an upgrade.

It's the first vintage set I've tried to put together. Honestly, it may be the only one I ever do, as the others I'd really be interested in are well out of my price range.

At the end of the day, it's all about fun!

vintagebaseballcardguy · #8 12-01-2015, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvu_class_of_2001

Welcome to the world of vintage football. I just got into it this year myself. I'm working to complete the 1955 All-American set. Once I get it completed, I will work to upgrade. A lot of the ones I have are very low grade. I have my set scanned into a flickr folder, so if I'm at a show or shop, I can take a quick look online at my set and figure out if I need an upgrade.

It's the first vintage set I've tried to put together. Honestly, it may be the only one I ever do, as the others I'd really be interested in are well out of my price range.

At the end of the day, it's all about fun!

That '55 Topps AA is a really great set. That is one that I wouldn't mind building. However, I am having trouble deciding where I want to start. I am thinking about (in no particular order):

1. '55 Topps All-American
2. '52 Bowman (probably small--really like the color and team logos)
3. '64 Philly (very affordable, plain design but I like it)
4. '61 Fleer (I really like those Fleer designs...especially the team logos)
5. '56 Topps
6. '68 Topps

I also am intrigued by '57 and '58 Topps.

I am new to this and am overwhelmed because so many of the sets are so doable. I know I just need to get in somewhere and go. You guys make all of them look so appealing. I could build most of the 60s stuff (not '65) in pretty high grade. Even some of the '50s stuff I could do decent mid-grade.

Somebody focus me, please!

jefferyepayne · #9 12-01-2015, 08:57 PM

What I did when starting to work on completing the mainstream sets was watch on ebay for reasonable larger lots of cards from one of the sets I was interested in and, if I happened to win one for a good price, I figured that was an omen and I'd work to finish it before moving on to another.

You might do that same thing as a way to decide what to work on first from the list you came up with!

jeff

Beansballcardblog · #10 12-01-2015, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

What I did when starting to work on completing the mainstream sets was watch on ebay for reasonable larger lots of cards from one of the sets I was interested in and, if I happened to win one for a good price, I figured that was an omen and I'd work to finish it before moving on to another.

You might do that same thing as a way to decide what to work on first from the list you came up with!

jeff

I definitely agree there. That's what got me started (for the second time) on my All-American set.

jefferyepayne · #11 12-01-2015, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sockwell123

Jeff - Looks like you're fixing to need another cabinet to hold more binders. Very nice sir.

Yeah, but a little late ;-) Need another cabinet ASAP!

jeff

LuckyLarry · #12 12-02-2015, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

A while back I started moving sets to binders sloooowly and have made quite a bit of progress. jeff

Jeff: A couple years ago I tossed all my binders and moved my cards to boxes. I use "penny sleeves" when I can, which does help when I handle them. Binders just took up to much room.
Larry

Samsdaddy · #13 12-02-2015, 01:05 PM

I personally like my cards in individual Card Saver 1's. Now, I don't have as near as many cards as you all here so it is easier for me to have them this way. I always found the sheets sagged somewhat and cards could get bent.
Plus, having them in Card Saver 1's is the closest thing to having them as a kid in piles looking through them one at a time and being able to handle them without damaging them.

All that being said, for what it is worth, I am working on my second set from the 60s, 1967 Topps Football, raw. I picked this set because it is the year of my birth and I love the old AFL. Plus, at a 132 cards with the limited funds I have, makes it a very doable set for me.

vintagebaseballcardguy · #14 12-23-2015, 09:45 PM

Ok, fellas, I have the '69 Topps set and after a few upgrades it will be a solid set. I am thinking over my next move and have been researching, number crunching, etc. There are several '60s sets that I like (64 Philadelphia, 68 Topps, 61 Fleer to name a few) and could build in exmt/nm grade. However, I can't quit looking at the early Bowman sets. One reason that I wanted to try vintage football was the affordability factor relative to baseball. If I went the Bowman route, the cards wouldn't be as sharp. I would be aiming more at crease free VGEX to ex. The first of the Bowman sets I think I would want to go after might be '51 Bowman. It has 144 cards and I don't think it would cost anymore to build in mid grade than the 220 card 1961 Fleer set would in high grade. Also, the more I look, the more iconic the Bowmans look to me.

What do you guys think? You all have been in the football circuit for much longer than me. I feel like there is good value in vintage football. I just feel like a late arriver and want to build sets that I like before the values rise and they aren't any more affordable than baseball.

When I first started thinking about vintage football, I really looked at the 60s and saw the opportunity to collect lots of stars for not much money, again relative to baseball. However, now I may be drawn to the early 50s Bowmans. They are not as inexpensive as the 60s material, but I guess relative to early 50s baseball (again) they aren't too bad.

I know I went around and around there, but I hope you guys get the jist. Thoughts?

revmoran · #15 12-23-2015, 10:40 PM

I personally think a goof foundation of any vintage football collection is the 1955 Topps All Americans - it is affordable and gives the history of the game in a single set - one of my favorites and was my gateway to the Chicle set.

DBesse27 · #16 12-23-2015, 11:14 PM

I don't care for the All American set.

Regarding early 50s bowman vs early 60s fleer, that's a tough call I love both runs, but I think I give the slight edge to the older Bowmans.

#17 12-24-2015, 12:10 AM

Since you are looking to put together a higher end 60's set have you taken a peek at the '62 topps? My favorite of the 60's by far, but darn those black borders. I understand your interest in the '61 fleers, a mighty good looking set. Centering was a problem as I accumulated the '68s, especially with the thin line borders around the cards, though a nice set with both leagues. To be frankly honest all the Philadelphia sets look like Wonder Bread inserts to me, but I'm probably in the minority with that opinion.

Most importantly, have fun!

jefferyepayne · #18 12-24-2015, 06:13 AM

All great sets, Robert! It really gets down to what you are personally drawn too. All of the Bowman sets are classics so you can't go wrong there and there's so many nice sets in the 60s that you've got a lot of options.

Football is definitely more affordable than baseball so why not do two ... one Bowman set and one 60s set? That'll keep you busy for a while and I have a feeling you're gonna end up doing them both anyway

jeff

vintagebaseballcardguy · #19 12-24-2015, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pariah1107

Since you are looking to put together a higher end 60's set have you taken a peek at the '62 topps? My favorite of the 60's by far, but darn those black borders. I understand your interest in the '61 fleers, a mighty good looking set. Centering was a problem as I accumulated the '68s, especially with the thin line borders around the cards, though a nice set with both leagues. To be frankly honest all the Philadelphia sets look like Wonder Bread inserts to me, but I'm probably in the minority with that opinion.

Most importantly, have fun!

Ty, I have looked at those '62s, and they are beautiful. While I think I will build it someday, I would rather have a '51 Bowman and/or a '61 Fleer set first. Those black borders are tough! Those '62s might take a while to build a really nice set.

Jeff, your thought of doing both is plausible, and you are probably right about my doing them both anyway.

I have always been a one at a time guy for the most part, but if I could stay focused, I think I could do it. I am thinking of doing the Fleer in slightly higher grade than the Bowmans.

In baseball collecting, I usually went with nice commons that were ungraded (and cheaper) and most of my stars were graded. However, at least with '61 Fleer, the sharp ungraded commons I have seen aren't much less than the PSA 7s. This has surprised me and has made me think about building that set in all 7s or better. With the '51 Bowman, I could see myself using a mixture of graded/ungraded, with it being a crease free vgex to ex set.

vintagebaseballcardguy · #20 12-24-2015, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pariah1107

Since you are looking to put together a higher end 60's set have you taken a peek at the '62 topps? My favorite of the 60's by far, but darn those black borders. I understand your interest in the '61 fleers, a mighty good looking set. Centering was a problem as I accumulated the '68s, especially with the thin line borders around the cards, though a nice set with both leagues. To be frankly honest all the Philadelphia sets look like Wonder Bread inserts to me, but I'm probably in the minority with that opinion.

Most importantly, have fun!

Ty, your comments made me go back and look at some 62s again. They are sweet! But those black borders! That is one set that I would have to build in high grade because that is one set that mid grade might not work for because of the black borders.

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