The top baseball card set of all time is.... 1965 Topps?!

[Gorditadogg]

Yes to 65 Topps!

[John1941]

As I'm a member of the Trading Card Database, and have voted on many of these sets, I think I'll chip in with my ratings.

1. 9.5 - 1933 Goudey
2. 9.0 T206
T205
1952 Bowman
1953 Topps
1965 Topps
1967 Topps
8. 8.5 1909-11 Obak
1948 Signal Gasoline Oakland Oaks
1951 Bowman
1952 Topps
1953 Bowman Color
1954 Topps
1956 Topps
1963 Topps


I rated 1971 Topps 8.0 -it would be higher, but the backs are pitiful. I have 1957 Topps at 7.5, and 1993 Upper Deck at 8.0 In my opinion, 1993 UD is the only non-vintage set that deserves consideration for the greatest set of all time.

(card not mine)

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by John1941

1948 Signal Gasoline Oakland Oaks

I've never seen those before. IMHO, if that was a major league set, it would be among the most popular ever. That is a GORGEOUS card, especially for its era. First set to use actual color photographs in full color?

[packs]

I'm a fan:

[oldjudge]

The best major set of all time was also the first major set of all time. No set is more interesting, more challenging, or more iconic than the Old Judge set.

[bmattioli]

Mine are:

1975 Topps
1971 Topps
1984 Donruss

[Misunderestimated]

interesting list -- like many elections it may say more about the voters than the candidates.... "Best" can mean a lot of things.
Personally, I would have the Cracker Jacks, the Old Judges and the T202s near the top and put the 53 Bowman Color higher. The T3s are great too.
In a quick read of the whole list I noticed one weird thing: the Topps Heritage set for 2019 (in 1970 style) actually defeated the 1970 Topps set itself. I guess from the present vantage point the 2019 set does have better rookies. Unless I'm missing something 1970 had zero HOFers -- the best rookies are shared cards for Munson, Darrell Evans, Bill Buckner and Vida Blue.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Misunderestimated

In a quick read of the whole list I noticed one weird thing: the Topps Heritage set for 2019 (in 1970 style) actually defeated the 1970 Topps set itself. I guess from the present vantage point the 2019 set does have better rookies. Unless I'm missing something 1970 had zero HOFers -- the best rookies are shared cards for Munson, Darrell Evans, Bill Buckner and Vida Blue.

I noticed that too. I wish they had left the Heritage sets out of it and just looked at base sets. It would have made for more of an apples to apples comparison, and I just don’t consider a 1970s design reused with 2010s players to really be a 2010s set. I think it’s a bit lazy to do that, but Topps is making money hand over fist, so they must be doing something right.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

The best major set of all time was also the first major set of all time. No set is more interesting, more challenging, or more iconic than the Old Judge set.

+1

[toledo_mudhen]

My vote is 55 Topps - How can you not just love these things?

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by toledo_mudhen

My vote is 55 Topps - How can you not just love these things?

Such a great card. That's the card that got me so interested in the '55 Topps cards. First saw it in the Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading, and Bubble Gum Book.