Collecting and completing sets

[jasonc]

Nice thread. I've enjoyed reading it thus far, and I am looking forward to seeing other's contributions.

Since I've rediscovered the hobby, I did complete a 1956 topps set, I would say off and on I was working on this for about 12 to 16 months. I still have that, it is in low to mid grade condition, only upgraded a few cards and will probably keep it and I doubt I'll upgrade it anymore. A really fun set to collect, that wasn't too hard on the wallet as long as you look for the deals. I spent building it through shows and ebay etc. picking up cards here and there.

I then focused my attention on some prewar, but due to budget, I doubt I'll complete them (The T206, 1933 Goudey etc.) Just collecting subsets of them and just a bunch of cards in general in lower condition.

As for what's next? The only set I might actually complete would be another post war, I was thinking maybe one of the other 50's topps sets. I've dabbled at a few like 1954, 1955, but keep changing my mind and trading away what I've built into something else. Of course, along the way I've had fun with collecting these.

Amazing on some of the set collections I've seen and heard in this thread and other threads on the board, keep it up.

[Econteachert205]

Those binders look awesome. Is it better to store them vertically? Some of my binders kind of collapse inside when stored vertically. Any advice?

[darkhorse9]

Originally Posted by Econteachert205

Those binders look awesome. Is it better to store them vertically? Some of my binders kind of collapse inside when stored vertically. Any advice?

Obviously most of the sets fill the entire binder up so there's no "slouching"
My binders for 1952-1955 also include the Bowman sets in them so that fills up as well.

To make up for any room left in the binders I have taken thick black backing boards cut to the size of the plastic sheets and punched three holes in them. I then placed them in the binders behind the set sheets to fill up any remaining gaps with however many boards are needed. As a result, all the binders have cards that fit tightly when stored vertically.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Jason, I am enjoying this thread as well. Thanks for your post. I understand completely how it is to abandon projects and to trade off or sell off starts of sets. After completing '53, I stopped and started more than I care to admit. However, that is behind me. When you find something that you like and can afford in the condition you can live with, it will click for you. Btw, I am also building a low to mid-grade '56 set....about half done. It is on the back burner for now, but I will eventually finish. Good luck!

[mybuddyinc]

T206 -- 521/524
T210-1 -- 75/75
E90-1 -- 82/120 (really 119, no JJ for me )
T218 -- 153/153 (vg/ex to ex)
1921 Boxing Exhibits -- 58/58 (only one wrestler)

Used to have complete Boxing: E75, E76 (with Ketchell/Attell error), E77 (with five or six caption reversals), and E79. Had to sell them , wish I had them back.

[Touch'EmAll]

I am now 50 years old and have been collecting a long time. I have never put together a complete set. Even as a kid I never completed a set. I tried once with a Walter Payton set, but when it came time to purchase the rookie, I continuously just couldn't pull the trigger - I feel it is one of the most overpriced cards of all time. I don't want to buy something I don't really like. Same goes for pre-war oldies - all the commons in a set - I don't want the commons, so I don't get them. What I have collected is upper tier pre-war HOF'ers. If its not the big names, I will pass. Some years I only end up buying a handful of cards. But over the years the handfuls do accumulate into an eyebrow raising collection. I love collecting. Collect however makes you happy, there is no right or wrong.

[Cozumeleno]

... my tastes getting older and older.

My first 'vintage' sets were 1948 and 1951 Bowman. I 'graduated' to 1933 and 1934 Goudey, before jumping into T206. I will continue to pursue those and have started passively going after T205s, but I'm really into the N-cards now listed in my signature below.

Based on the scarcity, I think there is a lot of value there. I'm surprised that there don't appear to be more people into the 19th Century waters, but I think that's due in large part to familiarity with the players, etc.

I'm almost entirely a set collector, though I pick up/deal OJs a little here and there.

[Tripredacus]

I recently decided to only do sets for baseball, maybe a year ago or so. I collected players and teams before that but never really sets. One exception was 2007 Bowman which I did since it came out but still haven't finished.

So far the only base set I have done is 1989 Topps. I don't keep completed sets in the binders due to not having enough pages to go around. They come out and go into a box in the closet. Just last weekend I expanded to a second shelf for the set binders.

[mawitzi]

I put together a 1934 Goudey set. It took me a few years to finish it, but it was a lot of fun. It went pretty quick at first, the Gehrig cards and the high numbers took a little longer.

I am currently working on a 1952 Red Man set and a 1964 Stand Up set. I also pick up 33 Goudey and T206 HOF cards, but I don't think I will do a set due to the cost.