If you could make the Big 3 into the Big 4, what set are you adding?

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

First of all, I completely understand the popularity for CJs. Their beauty and player power speak for themselves. If that's all you care about, then they are a clear front runner.

I side with whoever first proposed the idea that it would be nice to have a different era represented, however. CJs are too close in issue to T206s, so there's far too much player overlap.

Several of you take issue to including a set that can never be completed (yet each of the Big 3 share this problem for most people's budgets). So, where do we go from here? Have E120s been suggested? A decent-sized set which is shoehorned in between T206 and 1933 Goudey. A great HOF selection and it offers many wonderful obscurities if you like that sort of thing. Aestheically pleasing, and the design is certainly representative of its era. Here we have a bunch of Roaring 20's players who straddled the Deadball and later eras. As with the Goudeys, you can even collect their Canadian counterpart should you wish. If you're into even more parallels, you'll be kept busy! There's a lot to like with this set.

I heartily disagree with any post-1950's suggestions due to their "youth" and overabundance. Give it time; perhaps it will make sense later on. I definitely don't want to hear the word "refractor" in this discussion at all! But your picks are your own. Everybody has the right answer (for themselves).

In general Color > B&W.

[Touch'EmAll]

The Cracker Jack's are a solid choice. Each year singularly makes it less the choice. Maybe put both 1914 & 1915 together. After that, I would consider the 1941 Playball's, but no Ruth, Cobb or Gehrig hurts.

[Schwertfeger1007]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I agree with all of this. 1914 CJ.

N172 really could be done with one image per subject minus west coast players. I'd also argue that rarity is what makes a set great. If 100's of people can complete it with just "dollars" then it's just not as special.

While maybe not as well known as the 34 (err 33) Goudey Lajoie, there is absolutely an iconic card in the Anson in Uniform. When is the last time you saw a public sale of one of those??

First comprehensive baseball card set, Pioneers of the game, Multiple player poses including action and portraits, Actual photographic images...hands down best set of all time. (T206 and 1914 CJ round out my top 3)

[Leon]

my choice...

To me, N172 IS 19th Century baseball. I only have a few but that would be my choice.
.

[Misunderestimated]

I guess I'm torn between the 1887-90 OJs (N172) and the 1914 (or 15) CJs. .......
Maybe the other set should be something since 1952... Not sure what though. I thought the first Upper Deck set ('89) was significant at the time but 35 years later I can't really get that excited about it. The 53 Bowman Coior set is great too but its only a year after the '52 Topps and it's missing some of the biggest names of the era (Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams and Willie Mays)...

[Beercan collector]

Big Five ! Big Five ! Big Five ! 🙂
They are both worthy

[Dave-Illini]

The Cracker Jack sets would be my choice for a fourth one.

[conor912]

Only a single mention of ‘89 UD? That set was pretty mind blowing at the time.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by conor912

Only a single mention of ‘89 UD? That set was pretty mind blowing at the time.

I was even more blown away by 1988 Score, lol. Color photos on the front and back?! They beat UD to the punch.

Just give people a few more years for reflection and to let the set age a little longer. For the impact it had to the modern collecting era, I have to imagine that '89 UD will one day stand alongside the big guns. I personally take issue as a vintage diehard but completely understand why it will have eventually earned such a legacy.

[bleeckerstreetcards]

1948 Leaf - the first integrated card set, first color set post WWII, lots of HOFers and mythology around the printing issues and SP's, great iconic rookie cards, the list goes on.

[cgjackson222]

For Big Four, I would include Cracker Jack (both '14 and '15 since they are pretty similar). Maybe Cracker Jack would already be considered one of the Big sets if they were more accessible/common. The other Big 3 sets have large Populations.

Runner ups would be '53 Bowman (trailblazing full color with actual, gorgeous pictures) and '55 Topps (first major horizontal, and it has some important rookies including Clemente and Koufax).

[Zach Wheat]

My first thought weas N172's with the Cracker Jack sets a close 2nd

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

My parameters:

1. A set on the larger side with nationwide presence. Nothing small.

2. Emblematic & representatitve of its era.

3. Caught the country by storm.

4. Can not be issued too closely to one of the preexisting "Big 3" due to too much player/era crossover.

I have no interest in the inclusion of another 1950's or 1910s issue. I absolutely love the looks of CJs, and so many of the 1950's Topps and Bowman issues, but they can't really surpass the sheer monstrosity of what T206 and 1952 did for the hobby and continue to do to this day. Consider them the gateway drugs to their respective eras.

Speaking of 1950's Topps issues, I don't think anyone has mentioned the 1957 set. Quite surprising. Photo quality, player selection and strandardizing modern card size for decades to come. Regardless, I wouldn't vote for them over the '52s even though I like them more.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Speaking of 1950's Topps issues, I don't think anyone has mentioned the 1957 set. Quite surprising. Photo quality, player selection and strandardizing modern card size for decades to come. Regardless, I wouldn't vote for them over the '52s even though I like them more.

I mentioned the 1957 Topps set in Post #42 of this thread.

[peterb69]

Although I love the N172’s, I’d have to sat the combined 14/15 Cracker Jacks.

[Leon]

Those are some really nice Leafs....

Originally Posted by bleeckerstreetcards

1948 Leaf - the first integrated card set, first color set post WWII, lots of HOFers and mythology around the printing issues and SP's, great iconic rookie cards, the list goes on.