Is it worth the trouble to build vintage sets?

[Volod]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I have collected all Topps, Bowman and Fleer sets plus variations, all ungraded. But I have never had the expectation of selling them at a profit or viewed them as an investment. Just an expensive hobby that will be a windfall to some folks when I am gone.

Same here, minus the Fleer.

[RayBShotz]

Its all about the chase.

Set collectors get to enjoy this to infinity. There is never a moment when there is not something you need out there.

I love this aspect of the hobby.
RayB

[STL1944]

What I have found is that there is definitely a cadence when collecting a set by hand.

For me, it usually starts with buying a couple of different lots to get started... Then it seems that every card in the set you see for sale is one you need! It is awesome. Every day seems to bring another new purchase to you in the mail....

After awhile, things start slowing down a bit as you start seeing fewer cards that you "need"... Less mail shows up at your door...

Then comes the long slog... Only 10 cards left.... 9 cards left... Getting each one feels like an accomplishment but the gaps between acquisitions get longer... Where is all of my mail?

And then... finally... SUCCESS! You get the last card you need and your DONE! Well... almost... you start looking at your set and realize that you need to upgrade... Wash... Rinse... Repeat...


I am three years into building my 1953 Bowman Color set. Stuck in the long slog... 10 cards left and counting...

[BearBailey]

I enjoy collecting the set and putting it together Card by card. Investment wise I’m sure it is cheaper to buy the whole set but as a collector it is far more enjoyable putting the set together Card by card. For most of us the farther you go back the less likely it is to have the money to buy the whole set at once.

[avalanche2006]

Thanks for all of the input!
It is good to hear the varied opinions.
I started collecting in 1976 with the gift of a complete set.
I then worked on every set going forward. I sold that collection
to buy diapers and food for children.
I have now been collecting for several years again and enjoy the set building experience. I am also looking to
eventually sell my collection again for a fair price.

I just appreciate what you all have to say.

[pingman59]

Originally Posted by RayBShotz

Its all about the chase.

Set collectors get to enjoy this to infinity. There is never a moment when there is not something you need out there.

I love this aspect of the hobby.
RayB

Amen brother!

[cesarcap]

I have recently gotten back into collecting over the past few years, and love building sets. T75 was/is my favorite childhood set and I bought a nice complete EX/EX+ one since my own stack of 75's some of which I owned for 40+ years varied from F to EX+.

But since then I have built up other vintage sets in other manners: buying starter lots, first on ebay, then on this board while filling in the key cards from shows, the major dealers (eg. Dean or 707), then ebay and even trading w/ other members here, which is more fun and less expensive in many cases. Slower of course but more interactive in the absence of live trading which is hard because of distance and time.

So I'm open to trading in order help each other complete sets!

[jiw98]

My son and I both collect sets. I am currently working on the 55 Bowman baseball set(need 25-30 to finish). No hurry as I look for cards in the 5-7 grade range. I'm 2 1/2 years into the set. My son started his 1970 baseball set at the same time I started the 55's. Today at a show he found his last card to complete his set (Mazeroski). As we were leaving the show he says to me "now what do I do, my set is done. I guess I'll have to start another set"
The hunt for cards is a lot of fun, especially when you are with your son. Even if he is 39 years old.