I need to pick a set and go after it

uniship · August 10, 2003 3:10AM

Any of you veterans have any suggestions for me? I want to go pre 1965 - baseball, and the set has to be less than 100 in total cards. I have been having challenges finding my niche, and I really need a new goal in the collecting world, so maybe some of you can help - thanks!

helionaut · August 10, 2003 3:59AM

If you're talking post WWII, that would leave you with 1948 Bowman, 1951 Topps Red or Blue backs, Topps test issues and in-pack inserts, or regional/food issue/team issue/odd-ball sets. 1954 Braves Johnston Cookies are nice. 1954 Red Hearts have an outstanding 33-card checklist and are popular and fairly challenging but not impossible in 8, easier in 7. Red Man tobacco sets from 52-55 are also nice. 1948 Bowman is tough but personally I don't care for the all B&W design. Wilson Franks are one of the great challenges in the hobby, very tough if you have any constraints on your budget. And you have the usual suspects of 59-63 Fleer, 60 Leaf, 64 Topps Stand-Ups and Giants, etc. Topps had so many tests in the 50s and 60s you're bound to find a niche that isn't crowded but holds your interest.

Pre-war there are lots of notable sets with small checklists such as 1941 Play Ball, 1933 DeLongs (only 24 cards but a great checklist and interesting design), 1933 Tattoo Orbits (I'm surprised these aren't on the registry yet, odd but intriguing design), and 1934 Goudey (beautiful but no Ruth). There are many others, but those are my highlights. The there's my dream set after I'm done with all this 20th century stuff, the very difficult 1895 Mayo Cut Plugs.

Thinking about this stuff, wasn't PSA going to start grading Topps Coins? I'd be into those.

theBobs · August 10, 2003 4:00AM

Alot of great regional sets in the 1950s. If you want to start on 1954 Red Man, let me know. 1952-1955 are all great sets. Oversized cards, great player selection, and only 50 to 52 cards per year. These aren't sets you can complete quickly, and you must be willing to enjoy PSA 6 or 7s (especially in 1952). Just sent you an email through ebay.

Another option might be some of the E series sets, if you want to get into pre-war. These fit your requirements too. Try this set site for research.

1954 or Murcerfan can detail the Wilson Franks, Dan Dees, Red Hearts etc... Basilone can fill you in on the Fleer. And Zardoz or Jay can speak to Callahan's.

uniship · August 10, 2003 4:02AM

TheBobs - great to hear from you, and thanks for the feedback. These boards have missed you - I hope you are back to add your collecting insight for good - Be well buddy.

Eric

1420sports · August 10, 2003 5:09AM

I had thought about the 1954 Red Heart set and going after PSA 7-8. I think it is a great looking set and with Musial, Snider, Ashburn and Mantle - possibly his best looking card - it has star power.

Good luck

braves72078 · August 10, 2003 5:55AM

I have always liked the 1976 Topps.

Basilone · August 10, 2003 7:00AM

Eric-

What type of grades are you looking for...straight 8's? 7 & 8's? or 8's & 9's?

Oh yea...a POP 9 ....PSA 9 1963 Fleer went yesterday for over $700.

John

thegemmintman · August 10, 2003 7:25AM

<< <i> want to go pre 1965 - baseball, and the set has to be less than 100 in total cards. I >>

Look no further than the 1964 Topps Giants!

HO HO HO, TOPPS GIANTS!

Machodoc · August 10, 2003 7:33AM

I'd go for the 1951 Topps redback or bluebacks. The sets are of managable size, loaded with HOF'ers, and have a niche as the "first" Topps run. Bluebacks are tougher than redbacks, and the redbacks won't bust your wallet if that's an issue.

murcerfan · August 10, 2003 7:58AM

I would shy away from Wilson's unless they really grab you and you got some $$ to burn. The way they have shot up in price makes them a bit rediculous now, especially to venture out from scratch.
Dan-dees are great because they are not restricted to one team, although they are very heavy on Cleveland and Pittsburgh players, you have Mantle, Rizzuto, Bauer, Schoendienst and Irvin mixed in.
The graphic design is real nice (not like Glendales perhaps) and the method of distribution still allows them to have survived in ex/nm or better, unlike any hot dog cards that were ever in packages.
a psa 7 Dan-Dee common can be had for 100 bucks and 8's usually get 220-250. the Manlte is costly but not completly stupid (i paid about 2k for a psa7). Considering thier relative scarcity i believe these cards are currently a good value.
Johnston's were a great little 3 year run and PSA has begun grading the 55 panel set as "hand-cut".
the sets are just the Milwaukee Braves, but the true Aaron rookie is in the neat 1954 set, along with Spahn and Mathews.
.

1955 Johnston - Hank Aaron
Now if you venture out into the wilderness of Hot Dog cards, you have to get used to PSA 3's and 4's as being acceptable. I recommend if you go this way that you basically start all of them and just see how they go, and buy whatever you come across, they have all become very difficult.... and fewer and further apart. Glendales, Rodeos, Hunters, Stahl-Meyers, Esskays and Briggs are all real classics and they are all under 30 cards (Rodeos being about 40 if i recall). Not alot of collectors do these sets, but the ones that do will usually help you out

SUPERPUNK813 · August 10, 2003 8:24AM

I would say go for the 1934 Goudey set graded PSA 5 or higher. Even a complete set graded PSA 5 would be awesome and wouldn't break the bank. And IMO the 34 Goudey set is one of the best looking prewar sets ever.

Paul.

Vargha · August 10, 2003 11:45AM

How about 1953 Bowman Black and White? You won't go broke building it, but it will be a challenge as its black and white format lends to fewer collectors and hence fewer cards floating around.

NickM · August 10, 2003 1:58PM

It's barely over 100 cards (108, to be exact), but '34-'36 Diamond Stars would be an excellent set to put together.

Nick

brucemo · August 10, 2003 4:53PM

'53 Bowman Black & White is insanely difficult in high grade. It would be easier to put together the Color set, although that's 160 cards instead of 64. I think the color set might be a good one. It's a little larger than what you were looking for, but the set is a classic in every sense, and I can't imagine you'd regret doing it.

bruce

dude · August 10, 2003 11:54PM

I agree with the gemmintman! Go with '64 Topps Giants!

Alfiewt · August 11, 2003 11:17AM

Also, have you thought about the 1960 Nu-Card Hi-Lights, and the 1961 Nu-Card Scoops sets. Small inexpensive sets. Not a lot of competition on the registry either.

thejam · August 12, 2003 7:43AM

DAN-DEE

Vargha · August 12, 2003 8:26AM

I didn't think he mentioned "high grade"? I never said that 53 Bowman was easy in PSA 8+. It is very doable in EX to EX-MT, however.

BugOnTheRug · August 13, 2003 6:40AM

For a real diversion, try collecting Campbell's soup labels from the late 1950's era.

BOTR

Virtualizard · August 14, 2003 9:00AM

<< <i>For a real diversion, try collecting Campbell's soup labels from the late 1950's era.

BOTR >>

BOTR,

Do you mean these?

JEB.

DrNguyenVanFalk · August 14, 2003 10:18PM

JEB,

That centering is atrocious for a PSA 10! I would ask for a re-grade. Sure, a 10 helps with the set registry, but I just wouldn't feel right having that in my collection . . .

Virtualizard · August 15, 2003 8:38AM

Doctor,

You do know this was a joke, right?

JEB.

I need to pick a set and go after it

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