Best 1960s Non-Topps Set?

[lampertb]

Want your opinions... I have a favorite set in every decade except for the '60s. None of the '60s Topps issues really speak to me.
In terms of availability, relative affordability, size of checklist, etc. - the total package - what do you think is the optimal '60s set to start pursuing?

[G1911]

I personally best enjoy the 1961-62 Fleer Greats set. The American design, the large roster of past greats and mediocres. Many dislike the photographs for some cards that show them as old men coaching, but I like that many of the images are not found on other cards. Series 2 is tougher than series 1 but still not difficult, it is fairly cheap to put together and a lot of fun-per-dollar.

[Casey2296]

1963 Fleer is a nice non-Topps set.

[ClementeFanOh]

I'm with Phil- 1963 Fleer. Not a huge set, cool look, cool players.

Trent King

[G1911]

It's hard to go wrong with Fleer. You get some Greats either way.

Only downside to 63 is the checklist. It cost me more to get that one than any other card. Mays, Koufax and Clemente were all cheaper.

[ALR-bishop]

I would also go with 63 Fleer but I do like the 61/62 Greats. I also like the colorless 60 Leafs which involves some tough variations and proof test cards . Does anyone else collect the marble variations ? ( only kidding )

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

1963 Fleer is a nice non-Topps set.

+1 I'd go '63 Fleer as well.

[JollyElm]

The checklist is one of those formerly crazy cool cards that you would never get a glimpse of, because it was so rare. Now, you can see a bunch of them anytime you want on eBay. Big bummer.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Jello. Player selection.

[Lucas00]

Did anybody mention '64 stand-ups? I know they're Topps but definitely one to consider if you haven't

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Lucas00

Did anybody mention '64 stand-ups? I know they're Topps but definitely one to consider if you haven't

Or Hires Root Beer, they're pretty cool too.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I thought Hires were 1958.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I thought Hires were 1958.

My bad, I'm just an excitable boy.

To quote the great Warren Zevon...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

My bad, I'm just an excitable boy.

To quote the great Warren Zevon...

Ahoooooooooooooooo.

[lowpopper]

ummmm kellogg's?

[toppcat]

1967 Dexter Press cards are real nice.

[raulus]

Probably depends on how far you’re trying to get away from Topps.

For example, there are several OPC sets during the 60s, although some would suggest that those are just Topps, but with a Canadian twist.

There are also several Bazooka issues from the 60s. Take your pick on which one tickles your fancy. Although if I’m not mistaken, that was also a collaboration with Topps.

And although specifically branded as Topps, the 1967 punch outs are good fun to collect.

One last possibility, if you’re looking for pieces that seem relatively available and don’t cost a lot, there’s the 1968 American Oil set.

[ALR-bishop]

The mentioned Topps 64 Stand ups were good. The 67 Stand Ups better. And the 67 Punch Outs with their tiny captains ok ( the checklists are nice ) but the 68 3Ds are the best Topps non basic set of the 60s,

The Topps test and supplemental sets of the 60s and early 70s are legendary … But, back to the topic ��

[LeftHandedDane]

I'm voting for 1962 Jello. Incredibly tough but has all the players. I love that the most valuable cards are rank-and-file players, not Mantle and Mays. And it had a different design than the Post (unlike 1963).

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by lowpopper

ummmm kellogg's?

Ummmmm sums it up

[rats60]

Originally Posted by lampertb

In terms of availability, relative affordability, size of checklist, etc. - the total package - what do you think is the optimal '60s set to start pursuing?

Wouldn't the 1962 Post set be the most affordable of the 61-63 Post/62-63 Jello sets? I would say one of these, with ~200 cards has most of the names you would be looking for.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by lampertb

Want your opinions... I have a favorite set in every decade except for the '60s. None of the '60s Topps issues really speak to me.
In terms of availability, relative affordability, size of checklist, etc. - the total package - what do you think is the optimal '60s set to start pursuing?

Hey Richard,

Had already suggested (and still do) the 1963 Fleer baseball set. But to maybe give everyone a much better idea of what you are really interested in, and what would therefore best fit in and complement the rest of your collection, can you share with us what sets you have already collected for your other decades. Thanks.

[lampertb]

'33 Goudeys, '41 Play Balls, '50 Bowmans.

Originally Posted by BobC

Hey Richard,

Had already suggested (and still do) the 1963 Fleer baseball set. But to maybe give everyone a much better idea of what you are really interested in, and what would therefore best fit in and complement the rest of your collection, can you share with us what sets you have already collected for your other decades. Thanks.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by lampertb

'33 Goudeys, '41 Play Balls, '50 Bowmans.

I am going to suggest 1963 Exhibits then. It has a much better player selection than 1963 Fleer. Aaron, Banks, Berra, Clemente, Drysdale, Ford, Kaline, Killebrew, Koufax, Mantle, Mathews, Mays, Musial, Brooks and Frank Robinson, Santo and Spahn. Only 64 cards but you hit all the big names. With that list, I would do the 1963 Topps set, but if you don't like any of the early 60s Topps the 1963 Exhibits is the best alternative.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by lampertb

'33 Goudeys, '41 Play Balls, '50 Bowmans.

Thanks for responding Richard. Based on your choices you appear to be choosing normal, well-known and widely issued/distributed card sets, that were sold in packs, of then current players. Not specialty, regional, or oddball issues (stamps, coins, box panels, stickers, posters, stand-ups, and so on), nor as you specified, anything Topps or Topps related. Following those parameters your '60s choices are fairly limited to only the '63 Fleer set. Unless you want and/or are willing to adjust your focus to maybe consider an O-Pee-Chee or Venezuelan set as not Topps related. In your original post you also mentioned as additional concerns and issues, availability, affordability, and checklist size. Those are all able to be met by selecting the '63 Fleer set. It was nationally distributed in packs, all current players (including a Maury Wills rookie card) including many of the then big name stars (Mays, Clemente, Koufax, and such, but no Mantle), with all 66 different players in the set being very available and generally quite affordable. There's even a 67th card, which is the set checklist. Many of the other choices people have listed are wonderful as well, but, they are Topps or Topps related, they weren't distributed in packs, they aren't actually cards, they may include some extremely rare items that will ridiculously hard (and possibly quite expensive) to find, and on and on. Also, based on your other decade's set choices, they are all from the earlier parts of those decades, so a '63 set seems to rather nicely fit into that timeline/frame as well.

Good luck in whichever set you do end up deciding to go with, but given your stated parameters and earlier choices, the only '60's set option that would appear to meet all your wishes is the 1963 Fleer set, if you want to stay consistent with your collecting goals.

Related story, I first became interested in the '63 Fleer set about 25-30 years ago when I came across a guy selling a bunch of them raw at a flea market. Sold me his whole stack of 20 of them in VG-EX to NM condition (including Koufax) for $20. After that, had no choice but to complete the set, right? You'll likely never find a deal like that today, but you should still be able to acquire that entire set fairly easily, and at reasonable prices. I just did a quick Ebay search for "1963 Fleer" in the Sports Card, Memorabilia category, and it pops up with over 19,000 items listed. If you take a quick look, you'll find many '63 Fleer cards in really nice shape listed, and very often at less than $10 a card. Also, the vast majority of them are not graded (which I personally prefer). And there even appears to be a near set (58/66) for sale individually by Greg Morris Cards right now, which looks to include all the big-name players in the set. The Greg Morris listed cards all have the bright blue background behind them, so easy to spot and find, and all look to be in really nice shape as well. There's another current thread on this same Pre-1980 Post-War forum about grading by Greg Morris Cards, which speaks well of his grading and overall reputation, if you become inclined to go in that direction. When it comes to the '60's, have always felt the '63 Fleer set was one of, if not the most, underappreciated and undervalued regular card sets of that entire decade. Be sure and let us know what you finally decide, and again, good luck in whatever set you end up choosing.

[darkhorse9]

Having completed most of the major sets (1948-2022) I've been looking for a new goal. I've been trying to get at least one "odd ball" set from every year 1953-1969. It's not easy as there are some lean years to be sure. Some of these aren't even started, some are partly done, some are complete.

I preferred sets that were distributed nationally if possible, unless one struck my fancy (see 1953) and they had to be issued by themselves (not as pack inserts), and reasonably and affordably able to complete

Here are my set goals

1953 Johnston Cookies (done)
1954 Red Man (done)
1955 Topps Double Header
1956 ? No clue. Taking suggestions
1957 ? No clue. Taking suggestions
1958 Hires
1959 Armour Coins
1960 Leaf
1961 Baseball Scoops (done)
1962 Post (done)
1963 Stat Back Exhibit
1964 Topps Giant (done)
1965 Old London Coins
1966 Bazooka
1967 Kahn's
1968 Topps Posters (done)
1969 Topps Stamps

[lampertb]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.
I don't like the fact that there's no Mantle or Killebrew, but overall it looks like '63 Fleer is the probable winner. I'll just get a Topps Mantle or something to pop in there... a lil' mix and match to fill the holes.

One of these days (later days) I'm going to rebuild the '71 Topps set that I had, but sold. Boy, wish I'd never done that....

Thanks again, all.

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

Having completed most of the major sets (1948-2022) I've been looking for a new goal. I've been trying to get at least one "odd ball" set from every year 1953-1969. It's not easy as there are some lean years to be sure. Some of these aren't even started, some are partly done, some are complete.

I preferred sets that were distributed nationally if possible, unless one struck my fancy (see 1953) and they had to be issued by themselves (not as pack inserts), and reasonably and affordably able to complete

Here are my set goals

1953 Johnston Cookies (done)
1954 Red Man (done)
1955 Topps Double Header
1956 ? No clue. Taking suggestions
1957 ? No clue. Taking suggestions
1958 Hires
1959 Armour Coins
1960 Leaf
1961 Baseball Scoops (done)
1962 Post (done)
1963 Stat Back Exhibit
1964 Topps Giant (done)
1965 Old London Coins
1966 Bazooka
1967 Kahn's
1968 Topps Posters (done)
1969 Topps Stamps

1956- Topps pins or Yellow basepath pins, love both.
Or 1956 JD McCarthy Postcards? Not sure if they're technically 1956. Honestly could probably be used for any date in the late 50s.

1957- Swift meats is all I really know of a major league oddball release that has more than one team represented. Expensive as hell and not the greatest to look at pieces of players in my opinion. But still a really cool set.

One of the worst years for Oddball card issues ever.

[lowpopper]

Opc