!951-52 Berk Ross Set

[Yoda]

This set has always mildly fascinated me. it seems to be the stepchild of Bowmans and the fresh "52 Topps. I do hold a few HOF'ers and am considering adding a few more. Like any set there are pros and cons.
Pros:
1. They are cheaper in general than Bowmans and certainly Topps.
2. All the star players of the day are there with the RCs of Ben Hogan and Bob Cousey, which are highly undervalued.
3. Their values are starting to rise, particularly the Jackie and Mickey.
4, There are many great poses not shown on other cards eg., Reese.
Cons:
1, I believe the cards originally came in 2 card panels, which some collectors might feel detract.
2. They do not seem to be as plentiful as the Bowmans.
I love the Williams card but am less keen on the Mantle and Mays.

[samosa4u]

This should be moved to the postwar section.

[wondo]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

This should be moved to the postwar section.

Half of what is posted on this page should be moved to the Water Cooler, Post-War or other sections.

[brianp-beme]

These cards are identified as being from 951-52 in the title, so I think it is appropriate in this prewar section (though the prebattleofhastings section would work as well).

Brian

[brianp-beme]

As far as the Berk Ross popularity goes, I think the fact that the 1951 cards came as a panel is a negative for some (most are found detached, so in a sense hand cut, so think strip cards as a somewhat comparable comparison...I love that combo of words).

Also I think the graininess and overall inferior qualities of the photos play a huge factor.

Brian

[Yoda]

Boy, do we have a few parliamentarians on this board.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

This should be moved to the postwar section.

No it shouldn't. There is much precedence for cards that are very close to our era, posted by longtime members, on the front page. Thanks for the help though.

.

[Exhibitman]

They're basically the postwar version of strip cards from a quality perspective. But don't get me wrong: I love strip cards and have pages of them I picked up precisely because they were so much cheaper than their mainstream counterparts. Or were. Anyone see that W515 Ruth that closed in LOTG over the weekend for well over two grand?

There are a bunch of non-Topps/Bowman sets from the era that are undervalued: Bond Bread, Aarco, Tip Top, Drakes, Blue Tints, Sports Exchange Mini, exhibits, etc. As the Topps/Bowman mainstream becomes too costly for many to pursue, they will gravitate towards these other sets.

[nolemmings]

I'm not a huge fan, but I bought one for type because of the dual HOFers:


The pose selection is not bad, and I like the multi-sport aspect somewhat. The photo quality is lacking though, and their distribution method (by box set from pretty much one source) is unappealing to me. For whatever reason, I don't like the '52 Berk Ross at all, even though it appears they were available in packs.

[Northviewcats]

Every thread should have some pictures. Here are a couple of pictures of 1951 & 1952 Berk Ross cards that I own. Also the box that the 1951 panels were sold in.

Best regards,

Joe

[LuckyLarry]

I have quite a few '51s not to many '52s. the 1951 set includes non baseball athletes

[LuckyLarry]

[rgpete]

1952 with wrapper and 1951

[GasHouseGang]

I picked up a Musial a few years ago because it was so cheap.

[riggs336]

Evidently they were not terribly popular even when they were new. I remember seeing boxes of 1951s still on the shelf at Woolworth in 1954.

[Seven]

There was a great article on Allvintagecards which I will link below concerning the Berk Ross sets from 1951 and 1952. I'm more partial to the 1952 set myself as it encompasses just baseball, but the 1951 set is great as well. There is some speculation, at least according to the article, that the photographer that worked for Berk Ross, also worked for Bowman and that's the reason why a few cards share the same artwork. The most notable of the cards being the 1952 Berk Ross Mickey Mantle, and Mickey Mantle's issue in the 1951 set.

https://allvintagecards.com/berk-ross-cards/

The 52 set is fascinating, in my opinion. Some absolute star power in it. Mantle, Mays, Robinson, Williams and even DiMaggio. I was initially planning on building the set, after i acquired the Mantle, but then the other cards in the set started to shoot up in value, maybe somewhere down the line I'll pick up the project again. If I don't however, I'll be satisfied with just the Mick and Joe D. My Mantle, in question:

[brianp-beme]

The 1952 set was actually issued individually, so I am editing my previous post. Teaches me a lesson to dive head first into the shallow end of a postwar topic. I do have this Roy Campanella from the 1952 set. A great action shot, and imagine if the image quality would be at the same level as other cards from that era. I also like the CBS Television banner on the grandstand in the background.

Brian

[TUM301]

This set mainly caught my eye because of the Mantle pose, somewhat of a poor man`s 51 Bowman. After picking up the Mantle found this nice looking Mays and have been on the watch for the Jackie R but prices keep climbing. As stated, an interesting set that is one of the few,if only, set that contains Mays/Mantle/Robinson/Williams/Dimaggio. Cool topic...
1952 Berk Ross "Bookends" Mays and Mantle by Hugh Murphy, on Flickr

[LuckyLarry]

That 1952 Wrapper is great!

Collect 'em-Toss 'em-Trade 'em

[Bliggity]

My only Berk Ross. The signature on a dark card isn't ideal, but I like it for some reason.

[Bartholomew_Bump_Bailey]

My Spahn has seen better days, and I picked up a Billy Goodman "just for the heck of it"