Biggest Set Collector's Nemesis

[Steve D]

I think the 1966 Topps high-numbers are the toughest. When I was working on my LA Dodgers 1958-1990 team sets, it took me years-longer than any other card before I finally found a Bart Shirley/Grant Jackson RC; it was the last card i needed to finish the run. I'd ask every dealer I saw at card shows (mainly the big Tri-Star Houston shows that drew dealers from throughout the country; along with looking on ebay, and no one had the card. Finally, a dealer from Florida who set up at one of the Houston shows, happened to have one in ex-mt/nr mint and I snagged it.

Steve

[riggs336]

All the E sets with Wagner and Cobb. All the R and W sets with Ruth. Anything with Jackson.

[Marslife]

the Bruce Brown auto driver is impossible to find to complete my T227 Master set :-(

Cliff

Bruce Brown - Miners extra.jpg

[familytoad]

T205 was my first prewar set. And it wasn’t too bad to collect the basic set many years ago. Inflation makes that harder now, but for most sets that’s the case.

But if you want to keep going and do the variations and create a Master Set (The EGGS), you are going to have a hard time!

Even the Kraken E90-1 with its tough cards are actually easier than the EGGS set.

Expensive, rarely seen and a very daunting challenge!

[Baseballcrazy62]

My big nemesis are the 62 Jell-o short prints.

[JollyElm]

Any Topps set that has the All Star subset included in the high series.

"Wait, I've somehow managed to finally track down all of the HOFers' regular cards...but now you're telling me I ALSO have to shell out all sorts of dough to get their high number AS cards????? Shoot me, shoot me now!!!!!"

[PhillyFan1883]

The 4 short prints in the 1916 M101-4’s and M101-5 sets are incredibly tough. Single digits tough. Oscar Stanage portrait (m101-4) variation only 3 ever graded (Blank backs at least.) doing both master checklist is a huge challenge.

Lucky enough to own all 4 and both sets.

[cannonballsun]

Originally Posted by Baseballcrazy62

My big nemesis are the 62 Jell-o short prints.

They are extremely tough, and very rare. Definitely my biggest problem, also.

[Kidnapped18]

1914 Cracker Jacks #85 to #96 take the prize for me
This group has some real tough cards to get your hands on
85 Herzog
86 Shotten
87 Cady
88 Mathewson
89 Cheney
90 Smith
91 Peckinpaugh
92 Demaree
93 Pratt
94 Cicotte
95 Keating
96 Becker

[skil55voy]

Originally Posted by cannonballsun

They are extremely tough, and very rare. Definitely my biggest problem, also.

Definitely my toughest set.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Steve D

I think the 1966 Topps high-numbers are the toughest. When I was working on my LA Dodgers 1958-1990 team sets, it took me years-longer than any other card before I finally found a Bart Shirley/Grant Jackson RC; it was the last card i needed to finish the run. I'd ask every dealer I saw at card shows (mainly the big Tri-Star Houston shows that drew dealers from throughout the country; along with looking on ebay, and no one had the card. Finally, a dealer from Florida who set up at one of the Houston shows, happened to have one in ex-mt/nr mint and I snagged it.

Steve

The Jackson was hoarded, mainly by a dealer from West Virginia, and another guy. The West Virginia dealer had around 300 of that card at one time. Last time I spoke with him he told me he was down to about 75, so he started selling them when the price was right!

[jchcollins]

For me it's going to be '67 high numbers. I think those should merit at least an honorable mention alongside '52 Topps - which let's face it, ain't happening for me. I can see '66 being tough as well, but '67 I think takes the cake from the decade if you consider both the Carew and Seaver RC's are north of #534. The Carew at least isn't a SP...