Sports card sets to collect: 1916-1946

41GoudeyGuy

I have reached a point with my collection where I am starting to branch out into a new era. I've nearly completed all the major baseball sets from 1947-2000 and want to dig deeper into the next period of card production.

I'm trying to compile a list of "must have" sets from the period between the start of WWI and the end of WWII. Using the 1915 Cracker Jack set as one bookend and the 1947-48 Leaf and 1948 Bowman Sets as the other bookend, what sets belong in the middle? What sets are out there during this period that a reasonably complete collection should contain? My list of 16 sets is primarly baseball because that is what I have the most experience in. I'm sure there are sets from other sports, multiple sports sets and perhaps even some non-sports sets that belong on the list. Here is my crack. What inclusions would you suggest?

1933 Delong - 24 Cards
1933 Goudey - 240 Cards
1933 Goudey Sportkings - 48 Cards
1934 Goudey - 96 Cards
1934-36 Batter UP - 192 Cards
1934-36 Diamond Stars - 108 Cards (170 in a master set)
1935 Goudey - 36 Cards (114 in a master set)
1936 Goudey - 25 Cards
1936 S&S Game - 52 Cards
1938 Goudey - 48 Cards
1939 Play Ball - 161 Cards (276 in a master set)
1940 Play Ball - 240 Cards
1941 Double Play - 75 Cards
1941 Goudey - 33 Cards (132 in a master set)
1941 Play Ball - 72 Cards
1935 National Chicle - 36 Cards

I was surprised at how short my list was. To complete these 16 sets requires only 1486 cards for the basic sets or 1840 cards for a master set. Granted there are some high dollar cards in this list and you won't find many of these cards at your weekend card show. But, this does not seem to be an unreasonable objective.

What should I add. What might I delete?

Edited to add 1933 Goudey Sport Kings

jimq112

Sport Kings?

MeteoriteGuy

How about those big Exhibit cards....or whatever they are called. (You can tell I collect modern).

dontippet

What about the 1914 Cracker Jacks?

41GoudeyGuy

<< <i>Sport Kings? >>



Definately 1933 Sport Kings. Add 48 cards to the list. Thanks for identifing the omission.

1914 Cracker Jacks are outside the range

The exhibit cards look to be too daunting of a task. In the PSA Set Registry there are 14 different sets called "Exhibits" during this period. These 14 different sets total 779 different "cards". Looking at the Set Registries the only guy giving this a real effort is Donald Spence and since he is far less than 100% on most of these issues it is not reasonable to think I can pull it off. I'll pass on the exhibits but they would fit nicely into a type card set for the period.

SDSportsFan

I'd probably include the E120 and E121 American Caramel sets from 1921/1922.

A couple more sets to consider are the 1933 R328 U.S. Caramel and 1933 R305 Tatoo Orbit.

Another set you could add is the 1933 R300 George C. Miller Co.

Steve

Griffins

I'd lose the S & S set and add the '41 W711-2 Reds Team issue, and the '41 Cards and Browns team issues.

Ripken

1932 US Caramel?

BobbyVCP

A few more to consider....

ACC # Set Name Year Cards
R306 Butter Cream 1933 30
R313A Gold Medal Foods 1934 21
R310 Butterfinger 1934 66
R312 R312 1936 51
R314 Goudey Premium Wide Pens 1936 199
R313 National Chicle Fine Pens 1936 120
r314 Goudey Premium Wide Pens Type 2 1936 24
R314 Goudey Premium Wide Pen Type 4 1937 36
R303-C Goudey Premiums (B & W) 1939 24
R303-A Goudey Premiums (Browntone) 1939 48
R303-B Goudey Premiums 1939 24
R346 Blue Tint 1948 56

Griffins

The Gold Medal set is a nice, small one.
'21 Exhibits are pretty cool too.

NickM

I wouldn't lose the S&S set, primarily because it's easily put together.

I would also add the 1943 MP & Co. set, because it's basically the only WWII-era set.

Nick

smtjoy

Go with the 1921 exhibit set 64 cards- loaded with hofers and not too hard to complete. One of my favorite Ruth poses. Good luck on your quest!

Couple pics-

animist

Since you mentioned non-sports. ..the key sets from that period:

1932 - US Caramel - Presidents
1933 - Goudey - Indian Gum
1933-34 National Chicle - Sky Birds
1935 - Gum Inc. - Mickey Mouse
1936 - G-Men and Heroes of the Law
1936 - Jolly Roger Pirates
1938 - Gum Inc. - Horrors of War
1940 - Gum Inc. - The Lone Ranger
1940 - Gum Inc. - Superman

Yankees001

I'd go with either the 1940 Play Ball, 1921 Exhibits or the 1933 Goudey.

Also consider the 1948 Swell Sport Thrills. Nice looking set.

Dave

Sportsamerica

What condition are you looking to collect? I just started the '38 Goudey set. When I was at the Philly show, only about 5 dealers had any displayed.

ChrisStufflestreet

What, no love for the 1920s caramel cards (specifically E121 and E122) or W-series strip cards? The W512 strip set has only 10 baseball players and 50 total.

These all fall within the range of post-WW1 and it seems the 1920s are sorely missing from your list.