62 Down--1968 Topps Game Completed in PSA 8 or Better

Davalillo

Often on here I sing the praises of fellow collectors who locate the cards that help me finish sets. This time I would like to recognise a dealer who found the final card I needed--Steve Novella.

Five to ten years ago I used to get calls from many dealers regularly on cards I needed for my sets. Now most of these dealers just put the cards on ebay or consign them to an auction house. There are a few dealers, however, which still do business the old fashion way and the foremost among these is Steve Novella--a long-time dealer and in my opinion the best dealer in the hobby.

I have a close relationship with Steve--I have bought a lot of cards from him over the years and he sells my dupes on ebay. While I don't provide him with a list-- occasionally he becomes aware of cards I need and sets out to finding them. He is unquestionably honest, fair and extremely knowledgeable about cards and the hobby. I give him my highest recommendation from anyone that wants to buy cards from him or that is looking to sell.

Anyway Steve became aware I was trying to complete the 68 Topps Game Set in 8/9, knew I needed just 1 card #1--Matty Alou--to complete it in 8 or better, said he thought he had one for me--asked me what I wanted to pay and found it at a significant discount to that--thanks Steve.

I submitted this set to PSA about 18 months ago having bought it from Mr. Mint about 10 years ago as a mint set. The grades came back all over the map--from 4 to 9. I originally planned to build this as a PSA 9 set but decided to grab the last 3 I needed in psa 8.
The set is now complete with 27 PSA 9s and 6 PSA 8s. I may try to upgrade the remaining 8s to 9s over time but it is not a big priority for me. My set rating is 8.89 which places me 4th on the PSA Set Registry behind Russ Rombarger, John Erwin and recent HOF incuctee Steve Soloway.

My goal continues to be 100 sets in PSA 8 or better. I am also attempting to finish a few sets in mainly psa 8 with a few 7s as an interim set to an all 8-or-better set.

Completed sets in PSA 8 or better are as follows:

BASEBALL(31):

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
1963 Topps
1964 Topps
1964 Topps Giants
1965 Topps
1966 Topps
1967 Topps
1967 Topps Red Sox Stickers
1968 Topps
1968 Topps Game
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
1960 Mayrose 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(2):

1933 Goudey Sport Kings
1954 Sport Oddities

fandango

Keep it up Jim, you should reach your goal in a couple years....

why dont you try the 1948-49 Leaf, its an amazing set, and would look great in your amazing collection!

baseballfan

great job!!!!

keep um coming

gregm13

Congrats again Jim. You're really starting to make the rest of us look unfocused.

Regards,

Greg M.

WinPitcher

Jim

You the man!

congrats!

Steve

SKINSFAN

1ST CONGRATS AGAIN JIM

But watch it game cards are close to round and even though i collect the 71 football game cards i always have to tell myself these cards shouldnotabeenround

But if old man Mike ever gives you grief just tell him only the corners are kind of round not the whole card and to prove your point i see you still dont count those crazy coasters you were nice enough to buy from Mike in your quest.

NEVER GO ROUND JIM SAVE THAT FOR SHOULDABEENACOASTER

CONGRATS AGAIN Now those 67 phillys would been a top set to add to your list

wolfbear

Davalillo - congrats yet again! ...

SKINSFAN - How you doin' old buddy? Wish you would post more often ...

shouldabeena10

<< <i>SKINSFAN - Wish you would post more often ... >>




Yea, like maybe every 31 days or so!

WarHoundR69

Congratulations on your accomplishment. So far I've only managed to finish one set and that one is low to mid grade.

Davalillo

Thanks to everyone for the nice words.

Fandango,

I have about a third of the 48-9 Leaf set in psa 8 but I'm not sure all the cards exist in PSA 8--plus the price of the Paige and certain short-prints would be mega-bucks. I do like the set though and do have most of the superstars--DiMaggio, Ruth, Musial, Williams, Robinson.


Skinsfan,

No--I am not going to add the coasters--and I don't think buy is the right word--I think Mike made me take them as a condition to sell me something I wanted.

I would like to add 67 Philadelphia--I still need a lot of cards though and they seem expensive...so I am being patient with them for the time being.

Jim

stown

Wanna adopt a son because I'm available

Outstanding collection and best of luck accomplishing an impressive feat.

Stump

Jim Congrats on 62. 3 to go. I know you are close on some. You used to give an update on how close you were on some of the sets. I for one enjoyed that also. Maybe when you get a chance you could post what you need on some of the sets you are close on. Some people may not like it but as for me I would love it

Dave

Davalillo

Thank you Stown and Dave.

Dave,

I will post and summarize the sets I am close on tomorrow--its been about 6 months since I posted an update.

Jim

nearmint

Dav 68, nearmint 2. Got him just where I want him.

xbaggypants

You have a "Sick" collection!!

WarHoundR69

Jim I can understand why you keep your unfinished sets closed, but is their any possibility that you could post scans of at least some of your finished sets. I have seen previous posts of yours where you said something like Final GPA of 8.37 - I will let it rest at that level.
I'm sure that I'm not the only one that would love to see your cards.
My collection is peanuts compared to yours but I do have scans posted. As an example I really enjoyed looking at WinPitcher's Mars Attacks set.

Stump

Jim

Did you get the new computer. It might be time to give Al a call. I am pretty sure the offer is still on the table

Davalillo

WarHound,

I don't keep them closed --I just don't have the ability to post scans on my computer.

Up until 3 weeks ago my computer was about 10-12 years old. I know have a new Dell computer but no high speed internet. So Verizon is supposed to come and install that. Presumably then I could buy a scanner and scan my cards?

Yes, Al has kindly offered to come over to my house and get me set up.

Mike--I will make it 62 to 3 if you give me that 60 Fleer fb card I need.

Jim

packCollector

Great job Jim, what other sets are close for this year?

Davalillo

PackCollector,

Any of the 28 I list on the accompanying post are candidates although ones where a psa 8 card does not exist such as the 61 Essex Meats Sihugo Green or I believe the 66FB checklist would be long shots.

Love of the Game

The offer is definitely still on the table.

Jim, I saw your question to me about it in the other thread on the other board, but didn't want to respond over there as things are moving too fast and furious.

When I get to the office Monday I will check my schedule for the week, but I'd be more than happy to swing by and help facilitate this.

-Al

FB

Congrats Jim on your ever continuing onslaught.

Frank

tkd7

Jim,
Congratulations on knocking down another set. Surprisingly the 1968 game cards aren't the easiest ones to find in mint condition.
Tom