Which set should I start now?

Buckwheat · August 8, 2003 9:22AM

I need some help from the brain trust out there. It seems that improving my 61 set is going to be just about impossible at the present time, as I can't seem to win any auctions even at 3-4X SMR on PSA 9's.

I would like to start a Topps set between 1951and 1967. Are there any sets that the prices of PSA 8's and 9's are reasonable at the present time?

Any advice is welcome.

Rob

Davalillo · August 8, 2003 9:55AM

Buckwheat,

Reasonable ones--1967,1966,1965,1964,1963,1960
Somewhere inbetween-1962,1959,1956
Tough and expensive-1952,1953,1954,1955,1957,1958

Davalillo

interchanges · August 8, 2003 11:38AM

Have some fun and go 1965 (tall-boy) football. (not too many set builders I think)

1962 football is awesome as well, Murcerfan will sell you 1/2 the set in PSA 8.

Tipem · August 8, 2003 11:38AM

Buckwheat,

My advice is to start anyone but the one that I am working on.

Vic

Buckwheat · August 8, 2003 11:39AM

Thanks Davalillo. It's going to be a tough choice, for sure.

murcerfan · August 8, 2003 12:00PM

Davalillo's answer is certainly on point and well thouight out. He is one that would certainly know.
I would consider some of the smaller sets like 1963 Fleer (or even the '55 topps)
or some of the fun test/auxillary topps issues. The smaller set sizes can be easier on the wallet as well as storage/vault space. For this reason, I find myself working on and really enjoying graded Football and Hockey sets. Additionally there are some 1950's and 60's regionals that are "do-able" for the average collector, maybe not overnight, but "do-able" nonetheless.
whatever you choose, Happy Hunting

edited to say : Davallilo, not Jim (sorry)

murcerfan · August 8, 2003 12:01PM

Actually '62 Football #2 set is now complete, but it only is going to rank #3 once i get it all posted.

Virtualizard · August 8, 2003 12:03PM

I love the 1960 Topps Baseball set. I have too many other sets that I'm currently working on. Otherwise, I would focus on this set. The commons in PSA 8 regularly go for under $20. There are some great stars in the set as well as a few rookies (Yaz, Kaat). It seems to have gained popularity lately, but is still rarely discussed on this forum. I love the horizontal format.

If you're interested, check out my 1960 set with scans of every card that I have.

Good luck with whatever set you decide to attempt.

JEB.

Buckwheat · August 8, 2003 12:09PM

Thanks Jeb,

Nice pics too. I like the way that you have both the front and back in the same pic. How do you do that anyway?

Buck

gaspipe26 · August 8, 2003 12:10PM

Rob,
Email me at rjc012661@aol.com.

Bob

Virtualizard · August 8, 2003 12:52PM

<< <i>Thanks Jeb,

Nice pics too. I like the way that you have both the front and back in the same pic. How do you do that anyway?

Buck >>

Ancient Chinese Secret!

Actually, I use software to "stitch" 2 scans together.

JEB.

Basilone · August 8, 2003 12:54PM

Rob-

A couple of thoughts.

1.) There are a couple of board members who have recently purchased large lots of PSA 8's from the 60's. My guess they have already contacted you by now...so they might be able to give you a nice lot to get you started.

2.) Since you are the 1961 King...how about trying a set with 4 or 5 years separation. If you choose a set too close to the 1961's then you will be buying the same mix of players all over again. If you are going to be buying commons (and a lot of them)...it might be more interesting to see some new faces.

3.) Murcerfan is correct...regarding smaller issues. Ive been collecting 1963 Fleers in PSA 8. The only problem with the smaller sets is that the PSA 9 commons sell for ALOT more than they would in a large mainstream set. I have seen in the past week a PSA 9 commons with a POP of 6 sell for $600+. The reason is that collectors only have to buy 40 or so PSA 9 commons instead of 600 PSA 9 commons so they are willing to spend the bucks. If you want PSA 9's for 1963 Fleers...bring you wallet. In fact 2 different 1963 Fleer PSA 9 commons sold for over $1100 each in the past week or two. Those cards each had a POP of 3.

4.) How about a set where there isnt a ton of collectors going after the set....ever think about 1954 or 1955 Bowmans?

5.) Also a "Heads Up" in regards to 1965 Topps. There are a couple of new collectors out there that are paying VERY STRONG prices for PSA 8 commons. I would wait a bit or check to see which ones they have already before going after them...(those cards will come back down in a month). In regards to 1965 Topps PSA 9's...right now there are 3 guys on the registry that are really going after the 9s..and usually pay strong money for them. After that...there really are not many 1965 guys going that strong after 9s. There are a couple of "rogue" bidders that randomly place strong bids on PSA 9s but they are not on the registry..so who knows what kind of set they may have.

John Basilone

Wabittwax · August 8, 2003 1:34PM

I like the 64's. It's a nice looking set IMO.

gemint · August 8, 2003 3:22PM

I could recommend the beautiful 1969 Topps Baseball but then I'd have more competition for completing my set.

1964s usually go for a reasonable amount in PSA 8.

LJB17 · August 8, 2003 3:40PM

<< <i>There are some great stars in the set as well as a few rookies (Yaz, Kaat). >>

Jeb,

What about that McCovey guy? Not a bad RC.

JeffVN · August 8, 2003 9:39PM

64 or 67, they seem to be plentiful enough that the cost of 8s and a few 9s are no going to flat out kill you.

acowa · August 8, 2003 9:44PM

If you decide on 1962 PSA 8's...which is the logical place to go when someone has the market cornered on 1961's...email me.

Regards,

Alan

helionaut · August 9, 2003 1:27AM

I realized that instead of building a 600 card set, for the same effort you can build 10 60-card sets, or a 300 and 5 60s. So I'd suggest a Fleer Ted Williams, a 63 Fleer, a 65 Topps Embossed (very tough in 7+, and not even on the registry, so you can break new ground), 64 Giants (PSA/DNA auto'd) and Stand-Ups, and 1962 Topps Football. If you want a regular baseball set, I'd do 65, but I'm beginning to appreciate 64s more and more.

qualitycards · August 9, 2003 1:57AM

HELIONAUT - Interesting theory, but the '65 Embossed set w/ 72 cards maybe harder to assemble then the 598 '65 regular set. I know, I've done both. My '65 sets was deleted at 96.6% w/ an 8:00 average. My embossed is about 45% w/ a 7:30 average. The cards are made of a foil type cardboard and are condition sensative. Only 190 have been graded and theres 14 of the 72 cards w/ a Zero Pop, and many others w/ just 1 or 2. So unless you plan on submitting the copies your self, it will be a tough road ahead.
My advice on collecting a full set would be either 1965 or 1966, my 2 favorites of the '60's and both in abundance to get a good start...jay

motocrosser · August 9, 2003 3:10AM

Rob,
Being one of the people that has collected the 61 set with you all the way, I have one question. Will this set be for fun or will it take on the personality of the monster collector. YOU? I know you as well or better than most members here. My sugestion is to go with one of the many Key card sets or player sets. You have some great Mantle cards in your 61 set, how about a Mantle master set? The Yankee HOF set is nice. The 1963 Yankees would have Marshall, Carl, and you involved again. If you go for the 1954 topps set or the 1963 topps set, LMK. I'll get you started with all the 8's from either of my sets. We could make some nice trades for your 61 psa 9's.
John

Buckwheat · August 9, 2003 3:59AM

Thanks for all of the good advice. It is always fun to dream about collecting another set.

Motocrosser, your idea about collecting a key card set may be the right thing. Of coure, that is how I got hooked on the 61 set. I started originally just collecting Yankees in PSA 7 or better, with a budget of a few thousand, and then..................BOOOOOOOOOM...... I was hooked. Much worse than a crack cocaine addiction.

Are there any sets where PSA 8 or 9 commons go on Ebay for 50-75% of SMR regularly?

Tipem · August 9, 2003 5:09AM

Rob,

I have been contemplating that same question and am leaning toward the 54 or 55 Bowman sets along with the 55 Topps set.Not a lot of collecting pressure as well as small sets with a good mix of HOF's.Should not have to break the bank to complete these in high grade.

Vic

Virtualizard · August 9, 2003 8:30AM

Rob,

I agree with motocrosser - start a few player sets. Once I got to 95% complete on my 1970 set and the availability of cards I needed started dwindling, I had to replace my addiction with something else.

I didn't want to start another 700+ card set yet, so I began to focus on a few player sets, specifically Mike Schmidt, Rod Carew, and Willie Stargell. Since collecting these player sets, I've identified some other sets that I would really like to pursue in the future - 1964, 1967, and 1973. Since your focus ('51-'67) is a little earlier than mine ('60-'75), maybe the Mantle set would be a good one (although quite expensive). Some other suggestions would be Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Brooks Robinson, or Carl Yastrzemski, to name a few.

Another bonus to collecting some player sets is that once you've got 5 or 10 of them going, you have already obtained some of the high dollar cards from a lot of sets that you may choose in the future (not counting low pop commons of course).

Good luck.

JEB.

qualitycards · August 9, 2003 8:39AM

<< <i>Are there any sets where PSA 8 or 9 commons go on Ebay for 50-75% of SMR regularly? >>

BUCK - I would think that the only set in the '50's & 60's where you can land a bunch of high grade cards cheap is the '68 set. There were a few vending runs that yielded quantity of high grade cards. Obviously you will encounter some low pops decision making along the way as well. But I summize you can pick up around 50% of the set (maybe more) below smr levels...jay

Buckwheat · August 9, 2003 9:08AM

Thansk again, guys,

Jay, I have seen how the '68s seem to be quite week, mostly due to oversupply of 9's and 10's. The 61's are weak in PSA 8's except for the very low pop ones.

I am leaning towards 55's or '64s if I go for a whole set. The 55 set is expensive, but small. The 64 is large, but not too expensive, and is different looking. Does anyone have any feel for these sets in particular?

pc · August 9, 2003 1:02PM

there was a time when i had 200 psa 9s from 1964 and no one cared and most
were pop1 and 2.i blew many out wholesale before the registry came to be
and its still a tough sell trying to appreciate the cards for the
pink or orange reverse!.outside of JH no one cared for a long time.the cards themselves
are bland and practically throwaways in 8.atleast the 66 set is less in vogue and
one has to deal with tilt,diamond cuts and thank goodness almost no vending.
fwiw,i'm at a loss too as to my next set.maybe i'll just focus on the kids' tuitions
and buy some more zero coupons....

Buckwheat · August 9, 2003 2:07PM

<< <i>maybe i'll just focus on the kids' tuitions
and buy some more zero coupons.... >>

Paul,

That is no way for a stockbroker to talk.

Zero coupons are not paying much nowadays. Isn't there any stock that you can find? The CEO of CU was pushing his pretty hard at the Registry Luncheon in Atlantic City.

Yeah, that's it.........I'll collect CU stock......I'll go for all mint condition. For sure, the market has dropped in it, and bargains can be had!! And no shipping costs to pay. No storage problems. Don't have to worry about insurance or safes. No EBay fees, and it is very liquid.

pc · August 9, 2003 2:52PM

ca tax free AAA zeroes are 5.20% for 14 years.
tax free.5.5% for 18.that will buy alot of cards
down the road,regardless of who'll be grading 'em.

ps
wanna buy my 66 set?
98% complete mostly 8s.
you can have a field day upgrading
and i can start from scratch.

Buckwheat · August 9, 2003 2:59PM

I'm not sure that California bonds are such a solid bet nowadays.

Maybe there is a reason they pay 5.5%.

Can you imagine 10 years ago talking about 5.5% 14 year bonds as a great deal!!! Boy how times change.

pc · August 9, 2003 3:21PM

you must have missed the AAA (insured) part.
you know 10 years ago tax free AAA insureds
yielded 5.50%!!!

Which set should I start now?

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