61 Down--1962 Fleer Football Completed in PSA 8 or Better

Davalillo

A fellow collector can get on my honor rollif they provide the last card I need for a set. For someone to do it two times--and in a row--and at very fair prices--thats enough to get in my Hall of Fame. Mr Paul Howard(Wolfbear) is the man. Paul had just helped me finish 1961 Fleer Football by providing the final 3 cards I needed. What do you know, less than a month later he comes up with the ultra-tough Lott-card #1 in the 1962 Fleer set, a pop 5 with none higher. Inh return for the Lott, I traded him the 61 Fleer Paul Hornung in psa 9(pop 6). Paul also gave me a replacement 8 for the Hornung and I gave him a replacement 7 for the Lott. What a guy! Thank you (again) Paul.

The Lott has been the only card I neede in psa 8 for some time although bit is not the only tough card in the set. Card #4 Parilli is a pop 6, #26 Saxton is a pop 8 and #69 Coolbaugh and #88 Nery are pop 9s.

The set is now complete with 86 psa 8s and 2 psa 9s. I will let it rest at that level. Paul is way out in front with a HOF-worthy set rating of 8.74. I am in second followed by Joe Tocco and the always dangerous Near Mint Cards lurking in medal contention at 7.85. One can only hope this set escapes the attention of collecting powerhouses MOSH and Fuzzdude.

Like most sets I collected it raw, set it in near complete and upgraded and filled in the holes to get it to where it is today.

My goal continues to be 100 sets in psa 8 or better with an interim goal of 70 sets at year-end 2007. I am also attempting to finish a few sets in mainly psa 8 with a few 7s as an interim step to an all 8 set.

Completed sets in PSA 8 or better are as follows:

BASEBALL(30):

1936 S&S
1948 Bowman
1951 Topps Red Back
1952 Bowman
1954 Red Heart
1954 Topps
1955 Bowman
1956 Topps
1957 Topps
1959 Fleer
1960 Fleer
1960 Topps
1961 Golden Press
1961 Nu-Card Scoops
1961 Topps
1961-62 Fleer
1963 Fleer
196e Topps
1964 Topps
1964 Topps Giants
1965 Topps
1966 Topps
1967 Topps
1967 Topps Red Sox Stickers
1968 Topps
1969 Topps Super
1970 Kelloggs
1970 Milton Bradley
1970 Rold Gold
1970 Topps Super

FOOTBALL(19):

1950 Bowman
1951 Bowman
1954 Bowman
1955 Topps All-America
1958 Topps
1959 Topps
1960Mayrose Franks
1960 Topps
1961 Fleer
1961 Nu-Card
1961 Topps
1962 Fleer
1962 Kahn's Weiners
1963 Fleer
1963 Stancraft Playing Cards
1964 Philadelphia
1967 Topps
1968 Topps 4-in-1
1976 Wonder Bread

BASKETBALL(7):

1948 Bowman
1957 Topps
1961 Fleer
1969-70 Topps
1970-71 Topps
1972 Icee Bear
1976-77 Topps

HOCKEY(3):

1962-63 Parkhurst
1962-63 Topps
1963-64 Parkhurst

MULTI-SPORT:

1933 Goudey Sport Kings
1954 Sport Oddities

1962 fLEER

MorrellMan

Way to go

Paul is a pro and one of the kindest human beings I know.

Did I miss something, Jim, or did you decide against adding your NS sets to the count down. As I recall, I think you just completed the Spins and Needles set, didn't you?

nearmint

Congratulations, Jim! Your "always dangerous Near Mint Cards" line gave me a good chuckle.

mikescardcloset

Congrats -- From my experience in collecting San Diego Chargers team sets it seems like 1962 Fleer is one of the toughest sets of 1960's. Very impressive

ironranger

Congrats Jim and way to go Paul!

baseballfan

keep going the end is in sight

great job!!!

wolfbear

Glad to help out.

Have had some other pleasant trades recently
with nearmint Mike, Paul Lemm, and Mark Van Deusen.

Always nice to make deals without having eBay and paypal take their cut.
One of the great things about the registy is being able to see what other collectors need
and putting together trades just like we used to do on the playground back in grammer school.

Keep on keepin' on Jim!

jaxxr

JIM,
Any new thoughts/goals/ideas on the 1952 Topps BB set ??

You did mention recently, you might be re-thinking your plans for the classic 407 card monster.
Perhaps a complete set at 7.67, two 8s for each 7 ?
Maybe keep the GPA at 8.00 , with various grades included. ?

Many other possibile ways to go, it's interesting to hear how a HOF collector deals with adverse situations.
Best of luck on the 52 BB, and all your other sets, as well.

Davalillo

Mark,

No, I plan on adding non-sports cards. Just I haven't finished any sets yet. I am down to five or less on 4 sets so hope to have a couple this year. I still have 4 cards to upgrade on the Spins and Needles set.

I'm surprised how much I like the non-sports sets from the era I grew up(50s-60s).

Jaxxr,

My strategy on this monster is to buy the cards I do not have or that I have in less than 7 in psa 7 or if available at the right price psa 8. I have about 350 8s or better but the ones I am missing are tough, expensive or both. I won't trade 8s to get 7s as eventually I hope to have an all 8 set. I just finished 55 topps with about 20 psa 7s and hope to gradually upgrade it to 8--aiming to do the same with 52 and 53 Topps and 53 Bowman.

Baseball Fan,

Thanks but 100 isn't the end--its just a goal. Hopefully it will end at substantially more than 100-God willing.

Thanks Paul--you are a true hobby gentleman....and thanks to the rest of you guys for the kind words.

Now Mike--I understand you know where a certain elusive low pop 60 Fleer card I need may be hiding?

nearmint

<< <i>Now Mike--I understand you know where a certain elusive low pop 60 Fleer card I need may be hiding? >>



I wish I did, Jim. The only one whose whereabouts I know is in my own set.

Stump

Jim

Once again great job and kudos to Wolfbear for helping again. Wolfbear,Nearmint and Fuzzdude were the main reasons I stepped into the football arena. They are a great bunch and always willing to help. Good luck with the rest of the goal

Dave

Davalillo

Dave,

Thanks.

In addition to the guys you mentioned(Wolfbear, Fuzzdude, NearMint) I would also include Skinsfan who has been a great help to me. I would be very careful about this guy Couldabeena however and watch out for Shopping Lucy.

Jim

Fletch1750

Congrats Jim any help from Mastro with this set?

Davalillo

Fletch,

See Net 54 or Scott and Jay's vintage board--do not want to get into Mastro Auctions and Doug Allen here.

Jim

gregm13

Davalillo,

Congrats on another great accomplishment! The 1962 Fleer set is a toughie...I'm still trying to pick up PSA 8's of Shaw, Cappellitti and Hennigan. A raw Shaw that appeared to be in NM shape sold for $120 last week on E-Bay! Crazy.

By the way, I finally picked up a nice NM Buoniconti rc for $80 that graded a PSA 7. I'd eventually like to upgrade to a PSA 8 but the 7 is affordable for now and I can finally complete my All-Time Dolphins set (set #2 finished!).

I'd like to comment on your collecting philosophy. In the SMR article, you mention how you start and stop sets depending on supply and how hot the particular set is at the time. I, like you, am trying to build string of sets from 1948 to 1989 (but on a much smaller budget), mostly in PSA 8 or higher (PSA 6 from 1948 to 1953, PSA 8 1954 to 1972, PSA 8.5 from 1973 to 1979, PSA 9 from 1980 to 1987 and PSA 10 for 1988 and 1989). I've followed the same principal as you have to start and stop collecting particular sets based upon the level of interest from other collectors and focusing on PSA 8 cards when they can be had for a fraction of the PSA 9/10 price. It is the best philosophy, from a purely economical sense, when collecting such a wide breadth of sets and removes much of the over-bidding that occurs when soley focusing on one set and pay "what ever it takes" to purchase a low pop card or competing for #1 in a set where other collectors have seemingly unlimited funds. Collecting is based upon your personal taste, however your "pathway to collecting nirvana" is one that I have tried to emulate.

Take care and good luck hunting.

Regards,

Greg M.

P.S. - how are you standing on your 2007 budget? Are you starting to run out of funds or are you holding back for future deals?

Davalillo

Greg,

Congrats on finding a Buonoconti 7--very tough card and proving to be next to impossible in 8.

I am in bad shape on my budget and am selectively selling T206 psa 8 commons to fund other sets.

Thanks very much for the kind words. I think its a poor strategy to focus on 1 or 2 sets--pay whatever the going price is to complete that set and move on to the next set. By having a lot of sets in play, I can move from set to set wherever the best deals are. For example I need 8 cards in 1959 Topps baseball in psa 8 but I am not going to pay $4,000 for a Billy Pirce all staer or $1,500 for a Billy Hunter.

For 1955 Topps I was consistently losing for years so I completed the set with 20-25 7s and will just patiently upgrade. Same with 52 and 53 Topps.

In football, I am losing pretty consistently on 1967 Philadelphia but am convinced prices will come down so I wait. I have also sold 3 1948 Leaf Hall of Famers for big prices as I did not think I could finish that set in 8.

Just in case I run out of sets I started 10 non-sport sets and as I complete them(none done yet) I will add another to always keep 10 in play.

Jim

2dueces

Greg, Nice pick up on the Bouniconti. i also just picked up a PSA 7 (Thanks Marc) to help complete my 63 Set a year ahead of schedule. It's a tough card and with Dawson and Alworth makes up the big 3 of HOF rookies in that set.

Jim, As always congrads on your latest complete set. That 62 Fleer set is one tough set to complete, let alone in 8. I saw that a Shaw RC in PSA 8 went for a staggering amout last week. Jim, Congrads again.

Joe

shouldabeena10

<< <i>... the guys you mentioned (Wolfbear, Fuzzdude, NearMint) >>


Also more commonly known as "The Trilogy of Terror" gang!

I believe they got that name because Wolfbear actually resembles that little pygmy doll in the movie that comes to life when the necklace falls off, and he runs around the house terrorizing everyone stabbing them with his tiny spear. I've heard the teeth resemblance is uncanny.




<< <i>I would also include Skinsfan who has been a great help to me. >>


Also more commonly known as "Mr. Arthur Spellcheck"




<< <i>I would be very careful about this guy Couldabeena however, and watch out for Shopping Lucy. >>


Me and Shopping Lucy in the same sentence ... now that's funny!


Mike

AlanAllen

Congratulatiuons, Jim! My experiences with the '62 Fleer set actually scared me off doing any vintage sets in straight 8 for a while. Tough and beautiful set.

Joe

Fuzz

James,
Congratulations on another set. Top to bottom, I believe that this is the hardest FB set to complete in top grade (the 66 T is technically harder in 8 since #132 has not been graded at that level yet.......... Hmmmmm.). I believe that this set has more top grade collections registered as a percentage of cards graded than any other mainstream set that I know. The competition is incredible for the last few cards. As I am sure you know, both MOSH and I an lurking in the lower part of the top ten. May be awhile getting motivated to fight through the lrest of the set though.
Stump,
Very nice to have you over on our turf. Always good to get my butt kicked by an advanced collector. I do think you have me confused with Skinsfan. He is helpful, cordial and kind to small animals. I am just a B*st*rd. Hard to be around and never helpful. Your ruining my rep here but thanks for the thought. Ask any of these guys, they will back me up on that.

"Trilogy of terror"...... that was funny. But I thought that MOSH and I stood alone there. Paul and Mike (Wolfbear and Nearmint) are both incredible guys as been well testified to on these boards. I think that was a shot at them but I resemble and embrace the remark. My kids think that the "Fear the Fuzz" club is great and after all, I was born to be a bad guy professional wrestler. But my dear friend Shoulda. I am plotting a plan to hatch at the end of the year. If this works it is specially for you.
Fuzz

jamesgotpoorman