Putting together vintage sets

[midmo]

I've never been much of a set builder but since my want list is getting too tough or expensive I have started putting mid grade early Topps binder sets together. I've finished 1953 & 1956. Getting close with 57-60. I won't attempt 52.

I think the only pre-war set I've ever completed is DeLong. Have been thinking about E95 only because I already have the Cobb and Wagner. Doubt I'll ever attempt anything larger.

[BabyRuth]

I was always a set builder but kind of abandoned those pursuits with the recent price increases. I always bought the big cards first and just went on my merry way. Now I pursue more oddball stuff that's still reasonably priced. I still love collecting, it's just that my focus is not on 5 figure cards. Luckily over the last 30 years, I was able to complete T201, T202, T205(no hoblitzel), W517,W553,W554, 33 Goudey(W/ Lajoie), 34 Goudey, 36 Goudey, 38 Goudey, 41 Goudey, 35 Schutter Johnson, 32 US Caramel, 33 Butter Cream, 33 Delong, 33 Eclipse Import, 28 Ruth Candy, 28 Fro Joy Ruth, 21 Schapira Ruth, 51 Connie Mack All Stars, 51 Connie Mack Book, 51 Current All Stars(Need Rizzuto).

My brother mainly focused on T206 and has since completed it at 521(w/Magie)/524!!!!

We have been collecting together since we were kids and baseball cards have always been a big part of our adult lives - and now we share the same love of the hobby with our kids(my son 23, my nephew 30) by all going to shows together.

[conor912]

I don't own a single pre-war card that isn't part of a set or run. It's all about the challenge of completion for me. My brain can't wrap itself around collecting individual cards willy-nilly.

The one piece of advice I like to give is to buy the biggest card first. Then once you have all the HOFers, decide if you want to complete it with the commons. If the answer is yes, the rest will be pretty cheap to do, relatively. And if the answer is no, then selling HOFers is way easier and even potentially lucrative. It's temping to want to start with a big group of commons in order to feel accomplished right out of the gate, but it never ends well for your wallet.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by conor912

My brain can't wrap itself around collecting individual cards willy-nilly.

This made me laugh, it's exactly why a single baseball magazine supplement poster has turned into an obsession with completing the "set" and rewriting the catalog.

And how a vg 57 Koufax in a coin show around the corner from the Bayou in DC turned into a complete set about 12 years later.

Etc.

And we aren't alone.

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by BabyRuth

I was always a set builder but kind of abandoned those pursuits with the recent price increases. I always bought the big cards first and just went on my merry way. Now I pursue more oddball stuff that's still reasonably priced. I still love collecting, it's just that my focus is not on 5 figure cards. Luckily over the last 30 years, I was able to complete T201, T202, T205(no hoblitzel), W517,W553,W554, 33 Goudey(W/ Lajoie), 34 Goudey, 36 Goudey, 38 Goudey, 41 Goudey, 35 Schutter Johnson, 32 US Caramel, 33 Butter Cream, 33 Delong, 33 Eclipse Import, 28 Ruth Candy, 28 Fro Joy Ruth, 21 Schapira Ruth, 51 Connie Mack All Stars, 51 Connie Mack Book, 51 Current All Stars(Need Rizzuto).

My brother mainly focused on T206 and has since completed it at 521(w/Magie)/524!!!!

We have been collecting together since we were kids and baseball cards have always been a big part of our adult lives - and now we share the same love of the hobby with our kids(my son 23, my nephew 30) by all going to shows together.

Great work! I, too am a set collector. It just feels unfinished otherwise. Of course, also collect cool and great cards. But unfinished sets gnaw at me….hard to start a new one though with prices as they are. Was thinking 38 Goudey in lesser grades is doable. I certainly am ok with paying for current vintage, but cant find a Joe D that seems worth the prices (yet). Have to start with that….there arent too many large cards in that set, so i wouldnt be adverse to building from below (commons).

[darkhorse9]

I am a set collector only. Been at it since 1969. Right now I have finished every base Topps set 1951-2023 (except 1952 High numbers), every Bowman set 1948-1955 and every Fleer set 1963 - 1971

I'm running out of projects now as I've even completed every Hostess set, every Kellogg's set, just about every Topps insert set 1964 - 1970 and I'm close to every Post set.

My next pivot will have to be to pre war. I haven't decided which ones. I usually avoid those with too many extremely high dollar cards required (i.e. over $1,000). Still considering my options. Maybe 1934 Goudey, or Goudey 4-in-1

We'll see

[kmac32]

I am a subset collector. My main focus is prewar Cubs. I have collected a near complete collection of T205 Cubs front backs 149/ 151 and T207 Cubs front/ backs. Also started collecting Jacksonville Florida players.

[JollyElm]

Set collecting is so much a part of my DNA (but my genes have mutated into other things the last couple of years) that I still shudder whenever I see Steve Foucault's name, because my little self along with my brothers couldn't for the life of us find his frickin' card to finally complete our 1975 set.

[stlcardsfan]

I have Topps 1959-1992 complete sets. Good starter sets in 1956-1958. Spotty before that. I guess I got "set builder fatigue" after completing 1959. I really liked that set and wasn't as enamored with 1958 so I just sort of quit. Cost had something to do with it also, although this was well before 2020. Kids getting older and more costly factored in. But I did love building those sets. It was always about the thrill of the chase for me. I remember finding a big group of '67 high numbers from a local guy whose dad had collected them. Left his place with them sitting raw on the front seat of my car. Couldn't get them in the binder fast enough