Bigger lifetime project: '52 through '85 Topps and '51 Bowman sets

[rats60]

Originally Posted by hcv123

Outside of when I was a kid I have never been much of a set builder/collector. The focus of my collecting has been Roberto Clemente and finding, buying and selling rare and obscure post war issues. When my 2 boys were about 5 and 7 I wanted to introduce them to card collecting and had a desire for them to be exposed to vintage Topps cards - came up with the idea as an extension to the Clemente collection to collect Pirate team sets - started with the goal of the Clemente years 1955-1973. Soon decided that 52-54 Topps "needed" to be added. A bit later decided it wouldn't be 'fair" to leave out 1948-1955 Bowman. So we were on our way - decided to start with 52 Topps. Set a condition bar of cards that were well centered, no surface damage like creases and nice eye appeal. Decided to do mostly raw so we could touch and smell them! The 52 Low numbers got knocked out in pretty short order - then we ran smack into the high's!! All 10 of them for the Pirates - decided to do these mostly graded. Still need 3 to finish that one and started moving on. When my older son was about 10 he asked why we weren't collecting "the really old small cards", that he liked the way they looked. So the goal expanded. Also added all the Pirates Venezuelan issued team sets tying into my fascination with obscurity. My boys are now 11 and 13. I have gained a deep appreciation for pre war and am learning more all the time. So where the project stands today:

T 206 - (Trying to get a different back on each of a complete pirate team set of fronts -Wagner) - we have 12/18
T 205 - Once again trying to get different backs and all variants- we have 10/16
T 207 - We have a single card so far
T3 - complete at 4 - These cards are SOOOO cool
1914 Cracker Jack - We have 1 card
1915 Cracker Jack - We have 7 cards
1933 Goudey - 12/12
1952 Topps 29/32
1955 Topps complete
1973 Topps complete
1959 Venezuelan - 8/13
1960 Venezuelan - 13/13
1962 Venezuelan - 9/9
1964 Venezuelan - 18/18
1966 Venezuelan - 17/18
1967 Venezuelan - 8/11
1968 Venezuelan - 13/16
We have a smattering of cards from 1953-1973 but have a long way to go - for me/us its the joy of the process, sharing a hobby and spending time together- not necessarily getting to "the end".

Have you ponied up for the 52T Bartirome? I have been doing t201, t202, t207, 1934-36 Goudey, Batter Up, Delong, Diamond Stars and 1939-40 Play Ball for Pirates, just missing a few commons. I have t206, t205, 1933 Goudey and 1941 Play Ball sets done. I might do Turkey Red (have Clarke) and Cracker Jack (have Wagner). I don't really have any interest in post war cards outside of Clemente, but I do have team sets from 1960 and 1971-72 Topps.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by rats60

Have you ponied up for the 52T Bartirome? I have been doing t201, t202, t207, 1934-36 Goudey, Batter Up, Delong, Diamond Stars and 1939-40 Play Ball for Pirates, just missing a few commons. I have t206, t205, 1933 Goudey and 1941 Play Ball sets done. I might do Turkey Red (have Clarke) and Cracker Jack (have Wagner). I don't really have any interest in post war cards outside of Clemente, but I do have team sets from 1960 and 1971-72 Topps.

The 3 we have left are Bartirome, Merson and Meyer. I am after likely a graded 4-6. I am also being particular with centering which eliminates most of the ones that come up(similarly so for the other 2). I have been under bidder on the Bartirome about 6 times since we started the project. I know I have to "pony up" if I want it - no problem with that, just been going 1 bid higher than I was willing to - 6 times! I'll get it when I get it. Having more fun with Prewar right now - been under bidder on a couple of CJ Wagners as well - beautiful card. Happy collecting!

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by hcv123

The 3 we have left are Bartirome, Merson and Meyer. I am after likely a graded 4-6. I am also being particular with centering which eliminates most of the ones that come up(similarly so for the other 2). I have been under bidder on the Bartirome about 6 times since we started the project. I know I have to "pony up" if I want it - no problem with that, just been going 1 bid higher than I was willing to - 6 times! I'll get it when I get it. Having more fun with Prewar right now - been under bidder on a couple of CJ Wagners as well - beautiful card. Happy collecting!

Were you the underbidder to the same person each time on the Bartirome?

[ALR-bishop]

is Dollarscholar still buying ?

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

Were you the underbidder to the same person each time on the Bartirome?

It was in a bunch of different auctions. I know who you are referring to, but have no way to know if he was on the other end. Not losing sleep over it - I'll have it one day.

[ALR-bishop]

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrJ...SE2RN9ToklZpk-

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0ge...B_Jn0jgejwhA0-

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrJ...SE2RN9ToklZpk-

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0ge...B_Jn0jgejwhA0-

Hi Al!

So much for not putting all your eggs in 1 basket!?

[jasonc]

cardsagain, good luck on what you decide.

I enjoy looking at your progress in the 1952 thread. In fact, it's cool to see how anybody's set building is coming along from a certain set even in the prewar section. I like seeing people's weekly pickups and especially when they take the time to post pictures.

I think what was mentioned here is correct. I find that it's tough and slow progress when you try and build the 60's or 70's topps sets card by card. Or, even when you get a partial set of 50 to 70 percent of the cards, then try and fill in the rest.. It can get kind of expensive as well.

Now, for the 50's.. If you can swing it, you can always get a partial set there, then continue building it... 1955 for example has 206 cards, compared to the huge 1972 set.

I am chugging away at my 1952 set slowly now, as I've done some focusing on prewar now... but maybe in a few months I'll go back to it, I seem to change my collecting focus a lot!