Do You Pre-War Guys Like '61 Fleer?

[bbcard1]

They are ok...nothing great as far as the pics and a few real woofers and included...Seem a little expensive for what they are. Although they are black and white, I prefer NuCard Baseball scoops of the same year for my retro reto fix.

[HRBAKER]

Whether pre or post-war, not a fan of non-contemporary issued cards. Same reason sets like '41 Playball don't do much for me either.

[mintacular]

Interesting, contemporary is the key i guess. Thought they might be an affordable way to have some pre-war guys in the pc, plus i like white borders and the co. fleer

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by mintacular

Interesting, contemporary is the key i guess. Thought they might be an affordable way to have some pre-war guys in the pc, plus i like white borders and the co. fleer

They are an economical way to have some pre-war HOF cards. A lot of folks lke them. They do seem overpriced in high grades to me for what they really are.

[Leon]

I agree that most of the non-contemporary sets just don't do it for me.

[John V]

I was 10 years old when they were issued (do the math), and remember buying quite a few packs. At that age, it was my introduction to "vintage".
Recently, I bought a number of my Pirates plus a few others.
So for me, it's nostalgia.

[novakjr]

Like many have already mentioned, I also prefer the contemporary issues of the players. I do like the 60 fleer set though. But not from a HOF player collection standpoint(I will not count them towards my HOF collection), I just like the set. I've been slowly working on it, but the '61 has never appealed to me. When I ever end up finishing the '60 fleer set, I've considered moving onto the 50-56 Callahan set. Once again, not for the HOF player collection factor(aside from a few HOF'ers whose 1st cards appear in the set), I just kinda like that set as well.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Whether pre or post-war, not a fan of non-contemporary issued cards. Same reason sets like '41 Playball don't do much for me either.

+1

[joeadcock]

Like all the Fleers and Laughlin issues(despite post war).

[Brian Van Horn]

Pat,

Here you go for your viewing pleasure (apologies for any little white dust mites):

[Brian Van Horn]

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[Brian Van Horn]

..

[lutherlafy]

Thank goodness for the 1960 & 1961 Fleer Baseball Greats sets. I started collecting cards in 1960. I started writing to players in 1963 and thank goodness I had these cards to send to players (also the 1961 Golden Press). I had Jack Smalling's (I believe the first....it was mimeographed) address list.
There were a lot of players on the sets that were not on his list yet. The backs of the cards if the player was still alive said "Lives in town, state" so I would write to players and on the envelope just write their name, General Delivery, City, State. The huge cities I did not try this. I got almost 100% back this way.
I think I need about 3 signed cards in each set to have the live players at the time signed.
Here's an example of the signed cards.

[bobbvc]

I like all non-contemporary vintage cards. It helps bring new people into the vintage hobby.

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Whether pre or post-war, not a fan of non-contemporary issued cards. Same reason sets like '41 Playball don't do much for me either.

Jeff- not sure I understand this. '41 Playballs do not have any tribute cards in the set like '40 PB does- all players are active. IMO it's the nicest set of the era, along with Diamond Stars.

In regards to '61 Fleer, they look pretty good uncut and framed

[HRBAKER]

Anthony,

Sorry, as you rightly point out I meant '40 Playball not '41. And as a few posters have mentioned I also like the '60 Fleers as a way to secure HOF autos. My main point was as a HOF type and prewar colllector mostly, I strongly prefer only cards issued during a player's playing career.

[brickyardkennedy]

Timely question, for me, as I recently have been considering putting together the set. As with John V, I bought them when they came out, so the element of nostalgia is doubtless my strongest connection to the set. They were also my first real exposure to the past greats of the game. Still have the ones I bought, back when, so I would have a good start on the set.

Gotta love those autos, guys! Thanks for posting those, and the other pics, also.

[WWGjohn]

I like both 60 & 61 sets a lot. I collected them as a kid and never had access to the second series 61's, which I eventually finished about 20 years ago. They are especially tough to find well centered and free of gum residue. I love the vintage sets more, of course, but I enjoy these HOFer sets as well.

[Cerberus]

It's funny that you guys recently began this thread, on a somewhat under-appreciated set (IMHO). I have a complete set (raw) in plastic sheets, which I put together 15-20 years ago. It's 80%+ NM, with the rest being EX-Mt/Ex-Mt+. All of the "key" cards are NM and gorgeous (Gehrig, Ruth, Williams, both checklists).

I've been thinking of selling the set--please pm me if interested, and give me an "informal" ballpark price you may offer (subject to confirming my representations re condition). If I get enough preliminary interest from this post, I will consider listing the set on the BST here, rather than immediately going to ebay.

Michael