Set Collectors - Report in your progress!

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

Whenever I start to build a set, I have always tried to get the big ones first ...

Robert provides a good lead-in here.

Hi guys. I haven't ever posted much in set builder threads, because historically - since about age 11 or 12 anyway when I first got into old cards - I have been mostly about the stars and HOF'ers - basically a singles collector.

However as time has gone by, I've realized as I get older (I'm about to turn 44...) that it would really be a shame not to put together at least one vintage set that I like. That's what led me to choose 1972 last year - the set is older than I am, but by far my favorite of the 1970's. I just love how the psychedelic design seems to represent the era so well. And, as Robert pointed out - I'm kind of taking the tactic of getting the big cards first so as to give myself a downhill run in terms of difficulty. I already had the Nolan Ryan and a few other cards in '72, so here and there have been buying common lots. I'm not far enough in to be organized enough to have an exact count yet, but I'm guessing I'm somewhere at 150/787 on this, the original postwar "monster".

'72 really should be enough for someone who is notoriously bad at organizing things, but if you will checkout my avatar - you will see my latest prized possession. You know where that thought leads: "If you have the '67 Seaver, why wouldn't you go after the rest of the set?" This may be insane, but a few weeks ago I decided I was going to chase '67 as well. In some self-destructive way, I like the idea that the set is more difficult because of those high numbers. Anyway, with '67 I'm just getting started, but in addition to the Seaver I have maybe 25 VG range commons, and some of the bigger names on the way.

Condition - I'm not going to be any kind of snob with '67, since the high numbers themselves there can act as expensive star cards if you go for everything in EX-MT or anything like that. So on the whole there I think I want a VG range set, with the stars EX or better if I can swing that. '72 I started nicer - my stars on average are probably EX-MT or better, so I'm going to try to do the commons average in EX - assuming this market bubble we are living through right now does not extend it's insanity to 1970's cards.

Thoughts? Honestly I'm here mainly for encouragement. I can't tell you how many times over the past 25 years or so even as an adult collector - I've started and then quickly abandoned the idea of doing a vintage set. I really just feel like the time is right - and if I don't get moving on this idea now, it will probably never happen.

Thanks!

As Leon would say, every thread needs some pictures:

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

You know where that thought leads: "If you have the '67 Seaver, why wouldn't you go after the rest of the set?" This may be insane, but a few weeks ago I decided I was going to chase '67 as well. In some self-destructive way, I like the idea that the set is more difficult because of those high numbers. Anyway, with '67 I'm just getting started, but in addition to the Seaver I have maybe 25 VG range commons, and some of the bigger names on the way.

Condition - I'm not going to be any kind of snob with '67, since the high numbers themselves there can act as expensive star cards if you go for everything in EX-MT or anything like that. So on the whole there I think I want a VG range set, with the stars EX or better if I can swing that.

Thoughts? Honestly I'm here mainly for encouragement. I can't tell you how many times over the past 25 years or so even as an adult collector - I've started and then quickly abandoned the idea of doing a vintage set. I really just feel like the time is right - and if I don't get moving on this idea now, it will probably never happen.

Thanks!

Bad news out of the way first:

The '67 is a valuable set that's an expensive build. Without Seaver, it should cost around $3500-$4000 to get the rest in a raw VG-EX. Maybe 60% of that is in the remaining high numbers, even without Tom and with just 75 to get, because about half of them command $20 -$40 each even for mid-grade commons. You'll likely be hen-picking here and there and losing hair to get to the finish line.

Good news:

Along with the other advantages of having a '67, it's a great candidate for what you want (conditionwise). It's not much more expensive to get the highs in ex-ex/mt as it is in VG. And really you could say that about the whole set. You could build something really nice to go with that Seaver w/o spending a bunch more than my 3500-4000 estimate.

And of course, you're getting what many feel (myself included) to be clearly the best set of the '60s. Rookie cards of two of the very best players of the time, the best high numbers of the decade, and every superstar imaginable (as long as you're ok with a small sliver of Koufax!)

Bottom line: the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages, especially for your spot.

I'd go for it

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

It's not much more expensive to get the highs in ex-ex/mt as it is in VG. And really you could say that about the whole set. You could build something really nice to go with that Seaver w/o spending a bunch more than my 3500-4000 estimate.

And of course, you're getting what many feel (myself included) to be clearly the best set of the '60s.

Thanks. It's at least the second time recently I've heard mentioned that the high numbers are not that much more expensive in EX over and above VG...

I would agree '67 probably takes most top honors for the nicest set of the 60's in terms of the photography and simple design - although I do love those '65 team flags as well.

[Harliduck]

Thanks for the write ups guys...being in the middle of the 67 battle I can relate...and it's the second time i've built this set, gluton for punishment! I can tell you I totally agree, the highs are like stars. If you know anything about this set you'll know how excited I was to recently snipe a Demeter and an Alomar...haha...I know each of these by heart as I know you guys do to!

I got 40 left, and its a hell of a hill. I usually do start with the big cards but this time I had lots of commons to start and went from there. Last time I had a BEAUTIFUL raw Seaver that I can't believe I sold...so I am on that hunt...now...

[smellthegum]

I'm working on 67 too, and just passed 500. My most recent additions are Alomar and Grant. Still a big job ahead as I'm missing Seaver, Carew, Mantle, B Robby (looking for these guys graded) and about half the highs, and nothing's getting cheaper.

I find it interesting how infrequently 67s are offered here on the BST despite the popularity of the set and the number of us who are working on it.

Best of luck to you guys who are also in the hunt!

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by smellthegum

Still a big job ahead as I'm missing Seaver, Carew, Mantle, B Robby (looking for these guys graded) and about half the highs, and nothing's getting cheaper.

The Carew RC is ridiculous anymore. I don't historically think of that as being quite on par w/ the Seaver, but a guy on eBay this week was wanting close to $700 for a PSA 4.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

The Carew RC is ridiculous anymore. I don't historically think of that as being quite on par w/ the Seaver, but a guy on eBay this week was wanting close to $700 for a PSA 4.

Looks like a couple of PSA 4s sold for just 320ish two days ago though. Wouldn't have minded even upgrading mine for that, since it has the typical wacky Carew centering