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Who Has the Top 5 Topps Baseball Sets from the 1960s

This is not including the specialty sets. I thought long and hard about this one, taking into account set rating, lead over the second set in the year and best possible set rating.

While my first inclination was not to give it to Tom Martin because 68 Topps is by far the easiest to get 9s and 10s in, at the end of the day his incredible set rating carried the day.

My Top 5 are as Follow:

1)Tom Martin--1968 Topps-9.64
2)Rob McBride-1961 Topps-9.08
3)Dave Cryer-1964 Topps-9.02
4)The Duke of Mint-1965 Topps-9.06
5)Tom Marino-1960 Topps-8.73

A strong runner-up and possible contender next year would be capecards in 67 Topps who is at 9.0 and rocketing higher.

Dav

Comments

  • kadokakidkadokakid Posts: 426 ✭✭
    Interesting topic. Not sure I agree with you, but I am definately a newbie, and would never question your judgement. But without a doubt, Mr Cryer is the king of the vintage sets. #1 sets in 63, 64, 69, 70, #3 set in 65 and 68. I think the 68 set is by far the easiest to complete at a high level, just check the pop reports, 9's and 10's in abundance, taking nothing away from Mr Martins set, it is very impressive.

    I might have to lean toward the 64 set as being the #1 set of the 60's. Not many 10's available.

    61 set 9.08 of 9.34 max
    64 set 9.02 of 9.25 max




    Peace
    Trying to complete 1970 psa set.
    45% complete.
  • DavalilloDavalillo Posts: 1,846 ✭✭
    No doubt it is a debatable point and Dave Cryer's 64 set certainly deserves consideration. As you accurately point out, he has several impressive sets.
  • kadokakidkadokakid Posts: 426 ✭✭
    Hate to detract from Mr Marino's award as top vintage set, but apparently I am not the only one that questions that selection. The 60 set is awesome, I just think there were more deserving sets in the vintage era myself.

    Peace
    Trying to complete 1970 psa set.
    45% complete.
  • My vote goes to Rob McBride....very stunning cards that are really tough. Dave Cryer has an amazing '69 set. I've bought and traded with Mcbride...very nice guy! Great thread topic!
    "If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scene, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines!" - Marine Corps Hymn
  • Bosox1976Bosox1976 Posts: 8,551 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1962 never gets the respect. An 8.xx in 1962 is like a 9.xx in other years, based on the pops. Steve's SEinBigD set deserves consideration.
    Mike
    Bosox1976
  • I think the 1961 set takes the prize! Now that 1968 9.64 is staggering, but the amount of completed 9 or better sets (5 total and 1 on the way) suggests its easier (Not easy) to do.
  • The 67 set Larry has put together is unbelievable. Capecards 67 gets my vote.

    Then the Duke of Mint's 65. Just as awesome.

    One man's opinion.
    Orioles cards from 1960 to today.

    Be good my brothers.
  • StumpStump Posts: 927
    Mine are little different

    1)Tom Martin --1968 9.64
    2)The Duke of MInt --1965 9.06
    3)Dave Cryer 1969--9.17
    4)Dave Cryer 1964--9.02
    5)Rob Mcbride 1961--9.08

    DJJ
    Visit my site @ www.djjscards.com
  • MantlefanMantlefan Posts: 1,079 ✭✭
    My vote goes to Rob McBride's 1961 set. I've dabbled in all those sets, and IMO that year is the toughest of the 5 listed .
    Frank

    Always looking for 1957 Topps BB in PSA 9!
  • kadokakidkadokakid Posts: 426 ✭✭
    Cryer 64 set 9.02, 2nd place active set 8.32.


    I think the 64 set is most impressive.

    Peace
    Trying to complete 1970 psa set.
    45% complete.
  • theczartheczar Posts: 1,590 ✭✭
    this is a difficult arguement. there a few ways to look at it.

    perhaps percentage of highest set out highest possible percentage. that would be the 1968 who has 9.64 out of a possible 9.80 or 98.4% of max. however there are probably 100 cards in that set that a 10 population of 5 or more so getting a 10 is not that hard compared to the many other sets who have a lot 1/1's on the 10's.

    using the above formula here is the way it shakes out:

    Year Highest Max % of max
    1968 9.64 9.80 98.4
    1964 9.02 9.25 97.5
    1969 9.17 9.43 97.2
    1961 9.08 9.34 97.2
    1967 9.00 9.26 97.2
    1966 8.95 9.21 97.2
    1965 9.06 9.34 97.0
    1960 8.73 9.08 96.1
    1963 8.72 9.14 95.4
    1962 8.34 9.04 92.3


    it is odd that four sets had the same % of max rating. so much of this depends on the competition for the 10's.
  • kadokakidkadokakid Posts: 426 ✭✭
    Czar good point.

    I think percentage of 9's and 10's available is also a huge factor.

    I think Cryer 64 has around 40% of all available 10's in that year. 68 has a plethora of 10's, much easier to come by.

    1968 2,325 10's
    1964 175 10's


    Peace
    Trying to complete 1970 psa set.
    45% complete.
  • gaspipe26gaspipe26 Posts: 1,614 ✭✭✭
    Isnt the 1968 set originally Ron Ritt's set? If so I would take it off since he didnt really build it, Ron did. If Ron still owned it I would definately have it there though. Not to take away from the owner now, but there is no way he paid anything near what it cost to build the set. Also Cryer's 1969 set would be there too. Super tough and expensive that high grade.
  • I believe Tom purchased the #2 1968 set when Ron was #1 and then later broke his set up. The person who had that #2 set offered it to me but my set was already about 8.8 and the price at the time was a bit high.

    A bit of a different approach for consideration... John Ambeck's #2 1963 set. I have the #1 but that's not the point. Expanding on gaspipe's thought, I was at @ 13th or so until the #2 and #3 sets were broken up at the same time and I was able to "purchase" my way to a number one set almost overnight. John, on the other had, not only had the #1 set before that, he did it the old fashioned way, one card at a time. He also mastered the set; you have only to read his article in the SMR on the 63's, a copy of which can be linked from the registry's '63 home page. The '63 is an intertesting set and if it were not for the floating head cards that I really am not excited about, including the waaaaay expensive Rose Rookie, it would be my favorite.

    My personal favorite is my 64's although the 67's, of which I have none, are really cool.

    Don't know who I would vote for but thant's for all the consideration.

    Dave C.
  • Thought I would add a bit of a twist to the perspective on best of the 60's... Master Sets. The 68 has some of the hardest variation cards to come by. My '69 set, I know, has more variation cards than any set from the 60's and includes the #500 WL Mantle that in PSA-9 will top $20k.

    I know the 63's have a few variation allowing a Master set. I know very little about variations in the 60's, 61's, 62's, 66's and 67's.

    Dave C.
  • gaspipe26gaspipe26 Posts: 1,614 ✭✭✭
    Dave, I'll take the 1969 set if it isnt one of your favorites. LOL






  • I know the 63's have a few variation allowing a Master set. I know very little about variations in the 60's, 61's, 62's, 66's and 67's.




    off the top of my head
    1962 variations- include Reniff and Tasby
    1966 variations- there are several trade/no trade variations ala 1959
    1967 variations- i believe a couple of the cheklist and the Rbraves
  • mojorobmojorob Posts: 392 ✭✭
    Nice thread.

    Absolutely ALL those top sets are awe inspiring to me!!

    Just fantastic treasures ....each and every one.
  • 19541954 Posts: 2,898 ✭✭✭
    I think the 1962 Topps set that is owned by SEinBigD is truly amazing. I think this is the 1960 set that should be recognized as the best.

    Shane
    Looking for high grade rookie cards and unopened boxes/cases
  • BasiloneBasilone Posts: 2,492 ✭✭

    My top 3:

    1.) Ron Ritt's original 1968 set.
    2.) Rob McBride's 1961 set
    3.) Duke of Mint's 1965 set.
  • While Rob's 61 set is unbelievable, it would be rivaled by a 61 set that is not currently on the PSA registry - Jim Lawler's 1961 set (primeagle on ebay). He has about 60 10s and most of the rest in 9. He never gets outbid on a '61 card he wants. I sold/traded my Spahn AS PSA 10 to him.

    Seinbig's 62 set would get my vote as the top set due to the tough brown borders.

    Collecting Vintage Baseball.
    My ebay listings
  • theczartheczar Posts: 1,590 ✭✭
    where is the love for the 1966 set? i have chasing after that for nearly two years. i have only 2/3 of the set and in 12th place. nothing comes cheaply in those auctions.
  • I think that the registry has been fun and it's a great way to share your high grade collection with the rest of the collecting world. I've enjoyed reading all of the opinions and posts in this thread. I think every set has it's toughies and spectacular cards. 1961 has the dreaded "fish-eyes", print snow and roller marks. That's my favorite set. The '62s with the wood grain borders are madening to find flawless and the '63s with the bottom colored border show every hint of wear. I can only dream about the top sets from the sixties, because I'll never be there. I applaud every #1 set owner for their dedication and passion for assembling such great collections!image
    "If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scene, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines!" - Marine Corps Hymn
  • DavalilloDavalillo Posts: 1,846 ✭✭
    Kurtman9,

    Excellent point but is it true??--while he is unbelievably aggressive in his bidding it could be that he has a bunch of 8s--would be interested in what Rob McBride thinks about this.

    Rob?
  • MantlefanMantlefan Posts: 1,079 ✭✭
    Having tracked Primeeagle for the last 2 years on EBAY, he must have an outstanding set. He's paid crazy prices for PSA 9's and 10's from 1961 and he has made Rob's collecting a nightmare. It's a tribute to Rob that he's been able to upgrade his set while being constantly outbid on EBAY.
    Frank

    Always looking for 1957 Topps BB in PSA 9!
  • theczartheczar Posts: 1,590 ✭✭
    i am sure each year has a nememis. for the 1966 mine is we know him simply as MEMBER

    out of curiosity what does a 1/1 PSA 10 on a common player go for that has a fair share of psa 9's in the set in different years from the 1960's?

    a typical 1966 is between 600-700.

  • For 1965, it is anywhere from $400-$1200, depending on who is bidding.
  • DavalilloDavalillo Posts: 1,846 ✭✭
    Time for an update 9 mos later:

    Year Leader Set Rating Highest Possible % of Highest
    1960 Tony Marino 8.77 9.10 96.3%
    1961 Rob McBride 9.11 9.37 97.2%
    1962 SeinBigD 8.44 9.06 93.1%
    1963 Dave Cryer 8.92 9.17 97.2%
    1964 Dave Cryer 9.08 9.29 97.7%
    1965 Jellybean 9.11 9.38 97.1%
    1966 VintageCorvette9.00 9.23 97.5%
    1967 Capecards 9.14 9.29 98.3%
    1968 Tom Martin 9.72 9.84 98.7%
    1969 Dave Cryer 9.22 9.47 97.3%

    How much has changed? Progress is being made on all sets--probably the most though by Capecards on his 67 Topps Set.

    My new top 5 Topps Sets from the 60s are as follows:

    1)Tom Martin--1968 Topps--Yeah I know its the easiest set of the 60s in high grade but 9.72 and a 98.7% completion in highest grade carry the day

    2)Rob McBride--1961 Topps--A strong set rating 9.11 and a 97.2% completion in highest grade when Rob has to compete against Primeeagle(is he still buying?) is a great accomplishment

    3)Capecards--1967 Topps--Going from 9.00 six mos. ago to 9.14 is a big jump and he has 98.3% completion in highest grade(second only to Tom Martin).

    4)Dave Cryer--1964 Topps--Dave has gone from 9.02 to 9.08 and is 97.7% complete in highest grade possible

    5)Jellybean--1965 Topps--at 9.11 and 97.1%-great set.

    What do you guys think?

    Jim

  • marinermariner Posts: 2,602 ✭✭✭✭
    Jim, I just think that all of these sets are truly awe-inspiring. What a beautiful thing it would be to even view one of them.
    Don

    Collect primarily 1959-1963 Topps Baseball
    set registry id Don Johnson Collection
    ebay id truecollector14
  • marinermariner Posts: 2,602 ✭✭✭✭
    At the risk of getting slightly OT, I am very impressed with JTM's 1959 Topps at 8.82. This is John McLaren's set and I can not imagine how beautiful this set must be!
    Don

    Collect primarily 1959-1963 Topps Baseball
    set registry id Don Johnson Collection
    ebay id truecollector14
  • bri2327bri2327 Posts: 3,178 ✭✭
    I agree with Bosox and a few others regarding the '62 set.

    Hands down the toughest set IMO.

    "The other teams could make trouble for us if they win."
    -- Yogi Berra

    image
  • mojorobmojorob Posts: 392 ✭✭
    3)Capecards--1967 Topps--Going from 9.00 six mos. ago to 9.14 is a big jump and he has 98.3% completion in highest grade.

    Larry really has done a great job with his set!
  • DavalilloDavalillo Posts: 1,846 ✭✭
    Don,

    Is John McLaren actively bidding on 9s he does not have and 10s. I know its hard to move a set rating that high but his has advanced by .01 the last 9 months.

    Jim
  • kadokakidkadokakid Posts: 426 ✭✭
    All great sets. Everyone has their favorite set, which always influences peoples decisions. Card wise I love the 65's and 63's, they are great sets. I think the way to judge greatest set is in terms of the number of 9's and 10's available. 1968 has tons of 9's and 10's and is the easiest to complete at a high level, by no means easy or cheap, but easier then the other sets of the 60's.

    All great sets and all great accomplishments, hard to determine which sets are top 5.

    Peace
    Trying to complete 1970 psa set.
    45% complete.
  • Hello 60's collectors! I'm hoping someone on the boards can give me a hand in completing/upgrading my 1965 OPC baseball set! (I'm currently in the #1 position on the registry) This set has been an almost impossible untertaking and I'm getting frustrated, adding perhaps only 5 cards per year!! Any help/leads would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!! Harold (hbsturn@hotmail.com)
  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 30,600 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was under the immpression that the '62 set was one of the most difficult set to obtain in high grade, with those wood grain borders. My vote to the owner of the '62's.

    Also my favorite 60's set as well
  • marinermariner Posts: 2,602 ✭✭✭✭
    Jim....

    I have seen John bidding on 9's on ebay in the last year. Two things are deterring him from adding very many cards though. First, there are not that many 9's that come up that he still needs. Secondly, I have seen him being outbid a number of times by several other aggressive '59 bidders that will pay very high prices for these cards. John puts in a very strong bid but will not bid to win at all costs. Hence, he does get to add a few here and there but it is very slow going.

    To all....

    I agree that the 1962 set is the most difficult of the '60's baseball. I am working actively on it myself now and, unlike all other sets from the '60's, there are still very low pops (in the teens) in this set. Geez, even single digit 8's....Witt, Landrum.....amazing.
    Don

    Collect primarily 1959-1963 Topps Baseball
    set registry id Don Johnson Collection
    ebay id truecollector14
  • dudedude Posts: 1,454 ✭✭
    These are indeed a list of impressive GPA's.

    Not to belittle these men's accomplishments, and I've dealt with most and all have been terrific, but I can't help but wonder how some private raw sets that were amassed over the years would stack up against these? Some of the sets belonging to some long-time collectors and even some dealers I know are utterly amazing. One example is a collector from the West Coast that told me that he's easily spent over $100K building his raw 1967 set. In fact he's told me that sometimes he'll buy a super high grade raw set and integrate those cards with his, critically examining the best card of the two, with the discards being sent to PSA where they grade 9 and even 10 and they aren't even as nice in his opinion as the ones in his set.
  • SOMSOM Posts: 1,555 ✭✭✭
    Mathematically, other 60's sets have him beat, but I can't see any 60's set even begin to compare to seinbigd's 1962 set. The difficulty in amassing that set in any high grade is beyond description. An incredible feat!
  • DavalilloDavalillo Posts: 1,846 ✭✭
    Dan,

    Not much in this hobby surprises me any more but I had no idea that sets like that existed.

  • dudedude Posts: 1,454 ✭✭
    Jim,

    They are very few and far between, but there some others that I know that were fortunate enough to break open surplus vending cases from the '60s during the mid '70's and early '80's and handpick the best one or several cards of each player with 50 to choose from and build one or several sets that way and they still have them. I've actually learned quite a bit from collectors like this. They really don't see grading as a bad thing because they alert people of the bad cards floating around, but scratch their heads at some of the prices fetched for common PSA 10's for example where they could show you the same issue of that card with better focus, centering, color and contrast and probably only grade 9 and in their opinion still be the more desirable card of the two. It's for that reason, people like this wish not to have their cards graded nor compete on the registry because they don't believe that grades alone dictate the ultimate "collectibility" of the cards.

    But yes, there still are a lot of high grade vintage cards left to be graded.
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