1951-1959 binder size question

[homerunhitter]

Hey guys,
Hope everyone is doing well.

Im looking to put my 1951-1959 topps Baseball cards in binders. I want to make sure I put them in the right size binders do I ask, for those that have experience with binders and sets. What size binders would use suggest I use? Im thinking 1” binders for the 1951 topps set, 3” binders for the 1957-1959 sets and 2” binders for the rest of the years. What do you guys think/recommend? (Will all these years sets fit in 2” binders, will 3” binders be too big for the sets,etc) thanks guys. I appreciate you all.

[ALR-bishop]

There are 5 Topps sets from 1951

[homerunhitter]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

There are 5 Topps sets from 1951

Im referring to the basic topps baseball sets so for 1951 it will be the 1951 topps baseball red and blue back sets. Thanks

[ALR-bishop]

Good to know. Thanks

[homerunhitter]

Any help with this question? Please and thank you.

[mikemb]

I have my sets in binders and use the 3 inch binders for the larger sets.

My 1959 set fits well in the 3 inch binder. I do collect variations and print variants so I have 612 cards in my 59 binder. I only put 1 card per pocket and do not use penny sleeves.

I maybe would purchase a 2 inch binder and see how one of your larger sets fits in it. That will help you decide how many of each to get. Maybe you can get a discount if bought in bulk.

Mike

[homerunhitter]

Originally Posted by mikemb

I have my sets in binders and use the 3 inch binders for the larger sets.

My 1959 set fits well in the 3 inch binder. I do collect variations and print variants so I have 612 cards in my 59 binder. I only put 1 card per pocket and do not use penny sleeves.

I maybe would purchase a 2 inch binder and see how one of your larger sets fits in it. That will help you decide how many of each to get. Maybe you can get a discount if bought in bulk.

Mike

Hey Mike! Thanks so much with your help with this, I appreciate you very much. I will try your suggestion and start with the 2” binders first as I think all the sets from 1951-1956 should fit in 2” binders. I think putting a set like 1954 topps in a 3 inch binder might leave too much extra space in the binder (possibly causing damage to the cards with long term storage). The one thing I struggle with is my OCD and having all different sizes of binders on a self! There might not be away around it because I can’t put the 51 topps set in a 3 inch binder (too small of a set for a 3 inch binder) and I can’t put a 59 topps set in a 2 inch binder (too large of a set for a 2 inch binder) so just trying to figure it all out and to see what will look better on display on a shelf (all three inch binders or a mix of 2 and 3 inch binders).

[mikemb]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

Hey Mike! Thanks so much with your help with this, I appreciate you very much. I will try your suggestion and start with the 2” binders first as I think all the sets from 1951-1956 should fit in 2” binders. I think putting a set like 1954 topps in a 3 inch binder might leave too much extra space in the binder (possibly causing damage to the cards with long term storage). The one thing I struggle with is my OCD and having all different sizes of binders on a self! There might not be away around it because I can’t put the 51 topps set in a 3 inch binder (too small of a set for a 3 inch binder) and I can’t put a 59 topps set in a 2 inch binder (too large of a set for a 2 inch binder) so just trying to figure it all out and to see what will look better on display on a shelf (all three in binders or a mix of 2 and 3 inch binders).

I looked at my 56 set. It is in a 3 inch binder but it has some extra room so it might be able to fit in a 2 inch one. I have 377 cards in that binder.

My 1951 red back set is in a 3 inch binder along with some other small sets.

I only have a mild case of OCD. Some of my binders are 30 to 40 years old, Some are the Ultra Pro ones. They are all different colors.

Mike

[homerunhitter]

Originally Posted by mikemb

I looked at my 56 set. It is in a 3 inch binder but it has some extra room so it might be able to fit in a 2 inch one. I have 377 cards in that binder.

My 1951 red back set is in a 3 inch binder along with some other small sets.

I only have a mild case of OCD. Some of my binders are 30 to 40 years old, Some are the Ultra Pro ones. They are all different colors.

Mike

Thank you for checking on that Mike, I appreciate that. Im hoping that the 2 inch binders will work as it will take up less space on my shelf. 3 inch binders to me just look very bulky. It’s interesting that just a one inch difference in binder size makes a difference in display. Thanks again. I appreciate you.

[ALR-bishop]

I had to use a 2 inch binder on my 1951 sets since it includes the five sets plus the baseball subset of the Topps 1948 Magic Photos.

I also tend to collect and put related stuff in my binders like articles on the set, unopened packs, wrappers, pack inserts and advertising pieces. I also like to include insert or test sets for a particular year with the base set

I also include variations, which can be extensive in some sets ( it doubles the size of the 51 Team cards) depending on your parameters for collecting them. For instance if you do different back stocks it can increase the needed binder size considerably for sets like 1952, 1954, 1956, 1959, 1960.

[darkhorse9]

My OCD would never stand for mixing binder sizes like that. One inch binders are nowhere near as "deep" as 3" binders.

I cheated a bit. My 1951 set is in the same binder as my 1950 and 1951 Bowman set so it fits in a 3". The 52 Topps - 1955 Topps are also paired with the corresponding Bowman set, so 3" binders work well there too.

The only set that's a problem is the 1956 set. Not enough cards to fill a 3", so I have a filler "pillow" if you will.