New to the forums and vintage collecting, starting my first project!

[T205]

As one who has already finished the '55 Topps set in PSA 7 or better I don't have one regret about spending a lot of $$$ on commons to complete the set. Call me crazy but I love to collect complete sets. Although it took me 3 years to complete the set in high grade. With a little patience and a little money control anyone can collect a great vintage set.

Currently I am now working on a 56' Topps set in PSA 7 or better. In fact I just bought my last card of Series 1. I am now working on Series 2. Already got the Mantle out of the way and a couple of the the semi-stars. Mostly I am picking up the commons right now. Hope to pick up some HOF soon.

To me set collecting is the most rewarding thing in our hobby but of course that is just me.

Great set to start on and looking forward to seeing it come together. Goodluck!

Couple of my favorite cards from the set:

[hangman62]

I also agree its a great looking set, Ive had the complete set many times over the years and ended up trading or selling it for other things.
I currently have loads of extras in 55T avail for trade including -
55T T.Willaims,Aaron,Banks,Spahn,J.Robby,Koufax,Clemen te,Hodges,Mays,Snider, also many Hi#s.
NOTE - most are low grade - G-F-P

[scmavl]

It's a great looking set, no doubt. But as other posters alluded to, make sure you really want to use your resources to finish a set, as those commons get really expensive. I built the '56 Topps set but now wish I'd just bought a few key cards from the set and had $2000 left over from what I spent in commons. That would buy me a nice Mantle or Robinson.

[VinTX]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Travis---you should read the Stephen King book "Needful Things"

hahaha...what're you tryin to say?

Originally Posted by toledo_mudhen

Topps did a "reissue" of the missing cards in 2006 for the National Show and per Topps they are as follow:

#175 Stan Musial
#186 Whitey Ford
#203 Bob Feller
#209 Herb Score

Benn working on the 55 Topps Set for about 10 years now (Slabbed NRMT +) and it brings me great joy as I near its completion.

bloody hell...NRMT+ all of em? that's awesome! I'm actually doing this 55 set ungraded just to kind of get myself started and get a feel for how I like set building (lovin it so far). One of these days, money permitting of course, I will probably try to put together a high grade slabbed set like that. Do you have your set scanned in a bucket somewhere? Would LOVE to take a look at it!

Originally Posted by T205

As one who has already finished the '55 Topps set in PSA 7 or better I don't have one regret about spending a lot of $$$ on commons to complete the set. Call me crazy but I love to collect complete sets. Although it took me 3 years to complete the set in high grade. With a little patience and a little money control anyone can collect a great vintage set.

Currently I am now working on a 56' Topps set in PSA 7 or better. In fact I just bought my last card of Series 1. I am now working on Series 2. Already got the Mantle out of the way and a couple of the the semi-stars. Mostly I am picking up the commons right now. Hope to pick up some HOF soon.

To me set collecting is the most rewarding thing in our hobby but of course that is just me.

Great set to start on and looking forward to seeing it come together. Goodluck!

Couple of my favorite cards from the set:

wow, awesome stuff! I definitely would like to work on a graded set eventually...I think that'd be really awesome (and fun to show off!) My problem is that the good Lord did not grace me with an abundance of patience...so I guess I'll have to train myself to take it slow

Originally Posted by hangman62

I also agree its a great looking set, Ive had the complete set many times over the years and ended up trading or selling it for other things.
I currently have loads of extras in 55T avail for trade including -
55T T.Willaims,Aaron,Banks,Spahn,J.Robby,Koufax,Clemen te,Hodges,Mays,Snider, also many Hi#s.
NOTE - most are low grade - G-F-P

I think after finishing this set it'd make me very sad to unload it so hopefully I won't feel compelled to do that! lol.

Originally Posted by scmavl

It's a great looking set, no doubt. But as other posters alluded to, make sure you really want to use your resources to finish a set, as those commons get really expensive. I built the '56 Topps set but now wish I'd just bought a few key cards from the set and had $2000 left over from what I spent in commons. That would buy me a nice Mantle or Robinson.

yeah I hear ya. I think when I decide to start a graded set, it'll be something where I'll take it real slow (probably over several years) and work on other projects/pick up singles along the way to keep it all balanced and satisfy the various degrees and aspects of my obsession!!

Thanks for all the comments everyone!

[Jim VB]

It all depends upon what your mindset is about collecting. Some people are very happy to just own a few key cards from a set. Others are "type" collectors and make do with a single example of each set. Some collect HOF cards or subsets of such. Some people focus on a single player.

But some people are not happy unless they collect as they did as a kid. I was never happy having just a few cards from a set. If the manufacturer printed it as a set, I felt it was meant to be collected as a set.

That disease is called "set collecting."

Scratch whatever itches, and NEVER take advice from anyone on a message board, about how you should collect.

[theseeker]

Collecting is a very personal expression. I am a devoted set builder, although I do dabble with star and HOF persuits on occasion, particularly where sets are cost prohibitive. As far as the large capital investment in commoms, to a true collector it's really shouldn't be an issue. In many ways, the commons are actually more fun.

[VinTX]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

It all depends upon what your mindset is about collecting. Some people are very happy to just own a few key cards from a set. Others are "type" collectors and make do with a single example of each set. Some collect HOF cards or subsets of such. Some people focus on a single player.

But some people are not happy unless they collect as they did as a kid. I was never happy having just a few cards from a set. If the manufacturer printed it as a set, I felt it was meant to be collected as a set.

That disease is called "set collecting."

Scratch whatever itches, and NEVER take advice from anyone on a message board, about how you should collect.

so does that mean I should ignore yours as well? Honestly I tend to do exactly what you just said...I scratch what itches...some may call that being inconsistent...I call it doing whatever tickles my fancy at the moment, lol. Right now that's set building...later I may decide I want to go with singles, and then later I may say I wanna do another set...regardless it'll be fun and that's really the whole point right?

Originally Posted by theseeker

Collecting is a very personal expression. I am a devoted set builder, although I do dabble with star and HOF persuits on occasion, particularly where sets are cost prohibitive. As far as the large capital investment in commoms, to a true collector it's really shouldn't be an issue. In many ways, the commons are actually more fun.

I agree completely...I've always held the opinion that any given card is worth exactly what someone will pay for it. So if its worth it to you or me to spend a lot of money on commons in order to put a really nice set together, then that's that!

Well, I've picked up a few more nices ones for this set, just waiting for em to show up in the ol' mailbox so I should have some updated here soon!

[geor952]

I thoroughly enjoy completing sets and especially like the commons. So many of them I haven't seen before and can really appreciate the fresh photos and scanning the backgroud for period signs, fans, etc. I know what all the stars look like and am always excited for the first time I see a card I don't recognize. Complete the set! Your Koufax and Killer are very nice. Keep us updated and enjoy the chase!

[VinTX]

Originally Posted by geor952

I thoroughly enjoy completing sets and especially like the commons. So many of them I haven't seen before and can really appreciate the fresh photos and scanning the backgroud for period signs, fans, etc. I know what all the stars look like and am always excited for the first time I see a card I don't recognize. Complete the set! Your Koufax and Killer are very nice. Keep us updated and enjoy the chase!

that's an interesting perspective...and its true too. we all know what the stars look like but some of these other guys a lot of us may not be familiar with...so building a set like this is almost a history lesson in a way

well I finally have my first update! these two were waiting for me in the mail when I got home tonight, and I dare say this is likely the biggest update of any that will follow because it includes the big kahuna!!

#2 Ted Williams



and the motherlode...

#164 Roberto Clemente!! (that nasty lookin scratch thing running down the side of his hat is from my scanner by the way not on the card )



still got some more I'm waiting on...one of the things I bought was from a seller in Canada so it may take a while to get here lol. Thanks for looking!

[VinTX]

Got a lot of 24 in the mail today...15 that I needed and 9 that were dupes (some of which ended up being upgrades). That puts me over the halfway mark, woohoo!

Here's a couple of the highlights of the lot

#001 Dusty Rhodes


#031 Warren Spahn


more comin in...and I started my '54 Topps graded set (though that one will be much slower going) I'll start a thread up for that one once I've received my first card

[ls7plus]

Great looking '55's, Edward! As I alluded to, I could look at the '55's for hours. Have sold '55 Banks in SGC Nmt-Mt+, Jackie Robinson in PSA 8, Al Kaline in PSA 7, Gil Hodges in PSA 8, Willie Mays in PSA 7 (high end), and wish I had them all back! What gives you a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment has a lot of value too!

Best of luck on your endeavor!

Larry

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by VinTX

so does that mean I should ignore yours as well?

Mine should be the first advice you ignore!

[VinTX]

Originally Posted by ls7plus

Great looking '55's, Edward! As I alluded to, I could look at the '55's for hours. Have sold '55 Banks in SGC Nmt-Mt+, Jackie Robinson in PSA 8, Al Kaline in PSA 7, Gil Hodges in PSA 8, Willie Mays in PSA 7 (high end), and wish I had them all back! What gives you a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment has a lot of value too!

Best of luck on your endeavor!

Larry

lol...dunno where you got Edward from, my name's Travis but I appreciate the nice comments at any rate! I find it always kinda sucks when you have a really nice card and end up selling it. You always wish you could get it back. Hopefully nothing comes up down the road that'll make me have to sell this '55 set. I'd like to be able to enjoy it for many years to come!

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Mine should be the first advice you ignore!

so if I ignore your advice about ignoring advice then...

kind of a chicken and the egg argument yes? lol. I like the one that says "there's an exception to every rule" but is there an exception to that one?

ok sorry...too early in the morning to think that much, hahaha.

[VinTX]

Been kinda slackin on the updates lately, so I'll just put up a big one this time to make up for it

Latest additions to the '55 topps set!

#4, Al Kaline


#28, Ernie Banks


#47, Hank Aaron


#50, Jackie Robinson


#155, Eddie Mathews


#187, Gil Hodges


#189, Phil Rizzuto


#194, Willie Mays


#198, Yogi Berra


and the bookend...

#210, Duke Snider


That pretty much takes care of all the big dogs in the set...now the hunt begins for all those blasted commons! LOL. I'm a little past the half way mark now...woohoo!

[DanMc]

Those are some good looking cards. Happy hunting on the remainder.

[HOF Yankees]

hey Travis, beauty cards and welcome to the site

[ls7plus]

Sorry Travis, I don't know where I got Edward from either. The misnomer probably occurred because my earlier post was made at 3:48 am! But these truly are beautiful cards, and I agree with Adam re the Williams. I intend to go back to purchase the stars and hall-of-famers sometime in the future. The pure connoiseur in me (as opposed to my investment-oriented half) demands it!

Best of luck in your collecting!

Larry

[almostdone]

What's the best deal (in your opinion) you have found so far in putting this set together? I bought my Clemente rookie PSA 3 for $250 and was pretty good with that. Then when I recieved the card the seller threw in 9 other Clemente cards with it (from 59 and into the 60's) Still can't believe it. I'm not sure he knew what he was doing

[VinTX]

Originally Posted by HOF Yankees

hey Travis, beauty cards and welcome to the site

thanks I appreciate it!

Originally Posted by ls7plus

Sorry Travis, I don't know where I got Edward from either. The misnomer probably occurred because my earlier post was made at 3:48 am! But these truly are beautiful cards, and I agree with Adam re the Williams. I intend to go back to purchase the stars and hall-of-famers sometime in the future. The pure connoiseur in me (as opposed to my investment-oriented half) demands it!

Best of luck in your collecting!

Larry

I hear ya there bud...sometimes there's cards that you just gotta have! Thanks for the comment and kind words!

Originally Posted by almostdone

What's the best deal (in your opinion) you have found so far in putting this set together? I bought my Clemente rookie PSA 3 for $250 and was pretty good with that. Then when I recieved the card the seller threw in 9 other Clemente cards with it (from 59 and into the 60's) Still can't believe it. I'm not sure he knew what he was doing

hmmm...I guess in terms of good deals, I'd have to go with a lot that I purchased. It included the Dusty Rhodes, Warren Spahn and 20 or so other cards and I got it for a little over $100 if memory serves, so I thought that was a pretty good pickup That's pretty damn cool that the guy threw in a bunch of freebie clemente's...can't go wrong with that!!

2 more in the mail today, so down to the final 10 that I need to wrap this baby up!! here are my latest additions:

#193 - Johnny Sain


#195 - Ed Roebuck

[VinTX]

got these in today from a fellow board member, thanks Ed! just 5 more now!!!

#011 - Ferris Fain


#016 - Roy Sievers


#067 - Wally Moon


#073 - Jack Shepard


#184 - Harry Perkowski

[VinTX]

Well I checked the mail today and there were a few packages for me. I'm now down to needing just ONE card to complete this set...and the stink of it is it's a card that I bought on ebay over two weeks ago and it hasn't shown up yet!!! I guess that about figures

Anyway...here are the new ones that I DID get

#092 - Don Zimmer


#104 - Jack Harshman


#180 - Clem Labine


#201 - Sherm Lollar


so, the last one that I BOUGHT was the Don Zimmer, but it looks like the last one I'll be receiving to finish this one up will be #24 - Hal Newhouser. Hope it gets here soon!!