Thanks once again for all of the kind words. All but 2 or 3 cards were bought already slabbed. There are many people who have contributed, with most being PSA authorized dealers. Craig Roehrig was the biggest contributor with over 60 cards. Chris Porter is probably the second highest with JP Cohen running third. There were a few from private collectors, including Marc Schoenen who provided me with my elusive PSA 8 Preacher Roe card. The vast majority were purchased on eBay.
The price was exactly what I wanted to pay for it (other than unreasonable expectations). It went for that price in the Mastro auction this year, but I didn't participate in the bidding as I never imagined that I would have a chance at completing the set this year. I honestly had set a 3-5 year time frame to acquire the last stragglers. Little did I know that I would have the opportunity to complete it this year. Financially, this is money I had planned on spending in the years 2003-2004, so I will not start any new sets until late 2004 or early 2005 unless things radically change for me. I will still be pursuing the occasional PSA 9 card that surfaces for sale. Now I will list my PSA 7 Mays on eBay to try to recoup part of the purchase price. I will set a BIN of $2,500 (SMR is $3,000).
Quite frankly, I'm stunned that I have been able to put together an "elite" set that is even mentioned in the same breath as Merkel, Branca and Fogel. I really am just a nobody in the collecting world. I guess this gets me my "15 minutes of fame" then among hobbyists. As much as I have spent on this set, I really am just a "white collar" guy with a "stay at home" wife. I can't relate to the guys with "real bucks" (not the devalued "vargha bucks"). So I'm really just one of the guys here on the board, posting about my set accomplishments. I'm glad that I can share some of the enjoyment with everyone. Hopefully there will be a point when I can have the entire set scanned and posted for everyone to look at. I believe that I am at least half-way now towards that end.
I plan on winning this auction and then giving you negative feedback! Seriously, great set. Can't think of any thing else on this planet that's 51 years old and looks that good.
First, congrats on completing the set. I can only dream of completing either of the 2 sets I am working on. 2nd, I agree with BKAH. I like the centering on the 7 better than that on the 8. The 7 would be a great card to have.
The 7 definitely has better centering. I seriously doubt that it has better coners though. Kris posted a pretty marginal scan for such a high dollar card.
David - Congrats! on assembling a fantastic set. I'm working on what it seems is a million sets, and I'm not that close to completing any, so I appreciate your effort and dilligence. At least I can live vicariously through you, and I think a card or 2 of that set came from me, so that pleases me as well. Seems that you landed The Mays at a good price, not that $8K is peanuts...Good Job...jay
Vargha, congrats from me too!!! Now, your next task should be to post those scans of your entire 51 bowman set when you can so we can all enjoy it all the more. You seem to be a true asset to the hobby. Congrats again.
Major congratulations. Do you think you will ever try to trade/upgrade this card for the centering? Nonetheless, it is a great addition to one of the truly superb sets of all time. It is great to root for one of the small guys, and tracking your progress on this has been one of the most exciting achievements from the 1950s graded card era. All too often some of us see the big $$$ guys add superb cards out of nowhere, with PSA 8s and 9s just dropping into their sets. Yours is an achievement in patience and persistence.
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
Nice job on that set. I saw that card on ebay and was going to email you. But I thought to myself he will find it! And you did. I'll trade all my Boggs card for you set. And I 'll throw in......MS's cards
Marc -- the card is "good enough" in my opinion. I'm not a 50/50 centering freak. For the money it takes to get a "high end" Mays PSA 8, I would rather spend the difference on PSA 9's.
Boggs -- did you say all of your Boggs cards? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . .
He told me privately that he was going to undertake the 1965 and 1963 sets.
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
Vargha - Outstanding achievement! Since my 69' Topps effort has been a patient lifelong pursuit I can certainly appreciate the restraint and patience it must take to build and complete an early 50's issue such the 51' Bowman. Completion is the collectors dream. I hope to accomplish that dream at least once in my lifetime but for now will live vicariously through the efforts of the special collectors on this registry board. Congratulations David! RayB69Topps
Thanks for sharing your extraordinary set with us, especially the images. It's amazing that a vintage set from the 1950's can be completed at such a high grade. Your achievement has set a new level for the rest of us to strive towards!
Comments
BOB
Congratulations! You've done it!
Congrats
Carlos
How much of this set did you get from submits, eBay, premium auctions, dealers, shows, and private sales?
bruce
Website: http://www.brucemo.com
Email: brucemo@seanet.com
Is that about what you were hoping to pay? More? Less?
Sets - 1970, 1971 and 1972
Always looking for 1972 O-PEE-CHEE Baseball in PSA 9 or 10!
lynnfrank@earthlink.net
outerbankyank on eBay!
Congrats David!
CU turns its lonely eyes to you
What's the you say, Mrs Robinson
Vargha bucks have left and gone away?
hey hey hey
hey hey hey
The price was exactly what I wanted to pay for it (other than unreasonable expectations). It went for that price in the Mastro auction this year, but I didn't participate in the bidding as I never imagined that I would have a chance at completing the set this year. I honestly had set a 3-5 year time frame to acquire the last stragglers. Little did I know that I would have the opportunity to complete it this year. Financially, this is money I had planned on spending in the years 2003-2004, so I will not start any new sets until late 2004 or early 2005 unless things radically change for me. I will still be pursuing the occasional PSA 9 card that surfaces for sale. Now I will list my PSA 7 Mays on eBay to try to recoup part of the purchase price. I will set a BIN of $2,500 (SMR is $3,000).
Quite frankly, I'm stunned that I have been able to put together an "elite" set that is even mentioned in the same breath as Merkel, Branca and Fogel. I really am just a nobody in the collecting world. I guess this gets me my "15 minutes of fame" then among hobbyists. As much as I have spent on this set, I really am just a "white collar" guy with a "stay at home" wife. I can't relate to the guys with "real bucks" (not the devalued "vargha bucks"). So I'm really just one of the guys here on the board, posting about my set accomplishments. I'm glad that I can share some of the enjoyment with everyone. Hopefully there will be a point when I can have the entire set scanned and posted for everyone to look at. I believe that I am at least half-way now towards that end.
1951 BOWMAN Willie Mays Rookie PSA 7 NM 50/50
I just had to place a bid on you auction,
Carlos
My bid is damn serious. If I am indeed high bidder, regardless of your reserve, I expect you to sell the Mays to me. I am no shill.
Shillito Bandito
CU turns its lonely eyes to you
What's the you say, Mrs Robinson
Vargha bucks have left and gone away?
hey hey hey
hey hey hey
Always looking for 1957 Topps BB in PSA 9!
My wife is a lot younger than that card and I'm not sure she looks that good. (God I hope she doesn't read this.)
wayne
<< <i>Okay, excuse my shameless plug for the PSA 7 auction . . .
1951 BOWMAN Willie Mays Rookie PSA 7 NM 50/50 >>
Is it just me, but does this PSA 7, not look Better than the PSA 8 he just paid $8K for?!!?
It is hard to tell for sure - but the centering and corners look much better on the 7!!
2nd, I agree with BKAH. I like the centering on the 7 better than that on the 8. The 7 would be a great card to have.
Website: http://www.qualitycards.com
Major congratulations. Do you think you will ever try to trade/upgrade this card for the centering? Nonetheless, it is a great addition to one of the truly superb sets of all time. It is great to root for one of the small guys, and tracking your progress on this has been one of the most exciting achievements from the 1950s graded card era. All too often some of us see the big $$$ guys add superb cards out of nowhere, with PSA 8s and 9s just dropping into their sets. Yours is an achievement in patience and persistence.
Boggs -- did you say all of your Boggs cards? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . .
Best Regards,
Sky
"Give me a reason to fly, and I'll be there"
I'm just curious, you said it would be a while before you start another set. Which set are you thinking about doing next?
wayne
That's great - for just a few Vargha bucks I can get him started!!!
Wayne
RayB69Topps
Thanks for sharing your extraordinary set with us, especially the images. It's amazing that a vintage set from the 1950's can be completed at such a high grade. Your achievement has set a new level for the rest of us to strive towards!
Ron
<< <i>Okay, excuse my shameless plug for the PSA 7 auction . . .
1951 BOWMAN Willie Mays Rookie PSA 7 NM 50/50 >>
DANG!
I did not get it!