What Cardinals team sets should I start working on now?

frankhardy

Back in 2002, I started collecting Cardinals team sets. I started out with a goal of getting all of the regular Topps cards from 1951 to present. Once I completed that, I started working on vintage Bowman. Then, I started getting modern Bowman, Fleer, Donruss, Upper Deck, and Score. Then, I started working on Topps inserts, test issues, and misc.

I have made a huge dent in the inserts and test issues, but that will be an ongoing project for the rest of my life. I still need some of the rarest test issues. I still need the following working backwards -

1989 Topps Double Headers Mets/Yankees Test Keith Hernandez (has his 1975 Topps rookie on the back)
1973 Topps Comic Joe Torre
1972 Topps Candy Lids - Brock, Gibson, Torre, Carlton (? not sure if Cards uni or Phillies?)
1970 Topps Cardy Lids Rich Allen
1970 Topps Cloth Vic Davillio
1969 Topps 4-in-1 (all Cardinals)
1968 Topps Action All Star Stickers - (I have Cepeda and Gibson, but need the rest)
1968 Topps 3D Curt Flood (gulp)
1968 Topps Plaks - Cepeda, McCarver, checklist
1968 Topps Discs Cepeda
1967 Topps Standups - Cepeda and McCarver
1967 Topps Punchouts - Brock, Cepeda, Flood, Gibson, McCarver
1967 Topps Discs Cepeda
1964 Topps Rookie Banquet Julian Javier
1964 Topps Tatoo - (I have Boyer, but need Flood, Groat, and the logo)
1960 Topps Tattoo - (I have Musial, White, and Musial auto, but need Cunningham and the logo)
1955 Topps Hocus Focus - Haddix, Moon (I have the 1956 Haddix which is larger than the 1955)
1955 Topps Stamps - all Cardinals

As you can see, that is some pretty rare stuff on my want list and it has pretty much come to a standstill. Just in the last few weeks, I have gotten 3 very rare ones. I have gotten the 1974 Topps Action Emblem Cardinals logo, 1973 Topps 53 Reprint Peanuts Lowrey, and i just won a 1973 Topps Pin Ups Joe Torre.

Since my collection is pretty much at a standstill, I was wondering which team set you guys think I should start on now. Here is what I have now -

1951 to 2010 Topps (base and traded/update)
1948 to 1955 Bowman
1989 to 2010 Bowman
1960, 1961, 1963 Fleer
1981 to 2007 Fleer with Updates
1981 to 2005 Donruss with The Rookies
1988 to 1998 Score
1989 to 2009 Upper Deck
2001 to 2010 Topps Heritage
2001 to 2007 Bowman Heritage
1951 to mid 1990's Topps Test Issues, Inserts, and misc (except what is listed above). This includes sets that are too many to list.
1981 to 1993 Fleer misc This includes sets that are too many to list.
1983 to 1995 Donruss misc (except for 1992 DK Super Felix Jose which is super rare). This includes sets that are too many to list.
1947-66 Exhibits
1962 Exhibits Stat Back
1963 Exhibits Stat Back
1947 Bond Bread
1953 to 1955 Red Man
1952 Berk Ross
1961 to 1963 Post
1963 Jello
1970 to 1983 Kelloggs
1975 to 1979 Hostess


It seems like I can go in one of two general directions. I could go modern and do 1996 to present Topps Chrome, 1991 to present Stadium Club, Fleer Ultra, etc. Or, I could go the vintage (low grade) route and do something like Goudey, Play Ball, Leaf, older Exhibits, etc.

Right now, I would think that "T" cards are out of the question.

Which direction should I go? Maybe you have some other ideas that I might pursue. Thanks for the input in advance.

CrimsonTider

Maybe Topps Tiffany 84 - 91?

Nestle 84

Topps Gold 2001 - 2010, the numbered ones

Topps Black, I believe these were #'ed XX/50

frankhardy

<< <i>Maybe Topps Tiffany 84 - 91?

Nestle 84

Topps Gold 2001 - 2010, the numbered ones

Topps Black, I believe these were #'ed XX/50 >>



I forgot about Tiffany. I don't have those.

I do have the 1984 Topps Nestle as part of my Topps test, inserts, and misc album. As far as the Black and Gold go, I think I would need to get the Chrome first, since I don't have those. Modern stuff will be endless. I may have to draw a line somewhere.

Brock21

As a Cardinal collector myself, why not do the T cards? They'd be easier and cheaper than half the stuff on your
list.

You could do different T206 backs as well.

I am currently collecting the top 15 players at each position (50 outfielders)
and top 50 Starting .

It gives me a wide variety of cards and covers everything from 1900 to present.

If you want my list, let me know.

It's turned into somewhat of a type collection as well

Hallco

93-present Finest/Refractors?

72skywalker

I am doing the exact same thing with the Yankee team sets. I am working on the Topps sets and am about 80% complete, Score sets and am only missing 3 cards, Upper deck and Donruss which I am about 60% finished. My next vintage set is going to be Bowman and then Goudey. I think you should go with Goudey (just really nice looking cards) and also have a small modern set (or early 90's crap set) out there to look for that won't break the bank. Something like Donruss Studio or Stadium Club.

frankhardy

Would the T cards be cheaper than Goudey or Playball? If so, I might consider them. Of course, it would be low grade.

I forgot about Finest too. Those will come, but probably later on after I get Chrome.


Skywalker, good luck on the Yankees team sets. I can't imagine how much money will be tied up in that. Whew!

72skywalker

I do not know which is cheaper. The T cards are cool and they will be 100 years old. Decisions Decisions

yankeeno7

1991 Desert Shield, Finest and Topps Refractors, 1988 Topps Cloth, 1972 Topps Cloth, 1967 1968 1970 1972 Topps Posters, 1969 1970 1971 Topps Supers, 1964 and 1971 Topps Coins, Salada/Sheriff Coins, 1969 Decals, 1964 Topps Giants

And dont forget to get a 1951 Topps Team card...not even sure if the Cards are one of those in the set.

A lot of these I listed should be pretty easy to find/complete.

Brock21

E cards are cheap and easily attainable, strip cards as well

Also, a complete run of MSA discs from the 70's.

There are a dozen or so different backs.

frankhardy

<< <i>1991 Desert Shield, Finest and Topps Refractors, 1988 Topps Cloth, 1972 Topps Cloth, 1967 1968 1970 1972 Topps Posters, 1969 1970 1971 Topps Supers, 1964 and 1971 Topps Coins, Salada/Sheriff Coins, 1969 Decals, 1964 Topps Giants

And dont forget to get a 1951 Topps Team card...not even sure if the Cards are one of those in the set.

A lot of these I listed should be pretty easy to find/complete. >>



The Topps that you listed above are included in the section where I stated "1951 to mid 1990's Topps Test Issues, Inserts, and misc". I thought it would take too long to list all of those individually because I have those as well as cheap stuff like KMart and the stickers that went into albums in the 80's. I have the 91 Desert Shield, 88 Topps Cloth, 72 Topps Cloth, the Topps Posters, Topps Supers, Topps Coins, 69 Topps Decal, and 64 Topps Giants. Maybe I need to update my list above to avoid confusion. Basically, I have everything Topps except for what I listed in my "want list" section at the top of my first post.

You mentioned the 51 Topps Team card. I do have the Cardinals (undated). I don't usually go after variations (like the dated version). I may in the future, but not now. I also have the 1951 Topps Connie Mack All Stars Grover Cleveland Alexander.

I do not have the Salada/Sheriff Coins, though.

frankhardy

<< <i>E cards are cheap and easily attainable, strip cards as well

Also, a complete run of MSA discs from the 70's.

There are a dozen or so different backs. >>




What are E cards? I am a novice when it comes to cards back that far? Is that candy cards like American Caramel?

Statman

I think I'd vote for the three year run of Playball - with only 3 years, it might be easy to knock it. Plus they aren't too pricey in decent condition.

lsutigers1973

You should think long and hard but in the end, it will all boil down to WWAPD.

frankhardy

<< <i>You should think long and hard but in the end, it will all boil down to WWAPD. >>



Where's the emoticon for "slight chuckle, roll eyes, and shake head"?

Brock21

<< <i>

<< <i>E cards are cheap and easily attainable, strip cards as well

Also, a complete run of MSA discs from the 70's.

There are a dozen or so different backs. >>




What are E cards? I am a novice when it comes to cards back that far? Is that candy cards like American Caramel? >>



Correct.

E Cards are the caramel/candy cards. They are pretty plentiful, and come
in a wide variety of different backs. Prices range for commons is $10 and up
for some of them.

Also easy and nice looking pre war cards are the Exhibits.

72skywalker

<< <i>I think I'd vote for the three year run of Playball - with only 3 years, it might be easy to knock it. Plus they aren't too pricey in decent condition. >>



I think they released a Playball set in 2004 as well. That would be very cheap and easy to put together as well.

HeritageAddict

For a good challenge I say you should just send me all of your current Cardinals cards and start over from scratch! On a side note I just started the Cardinals team set run from 52-maybe present so if you come across any extras in your stash let me know.

billwaltonsbeard

how about a Willie McGee Handsome Boy Modeling School set?

twiley

I always liked the 1982 Topps Cardinals...

frankhardy

<< <i>how about a Willie McGee Handsome Boy Modeling School set? >>




Those were definitely a test issue that never materialized!

DavidPuddy

Cardinals Team issues.

hhmag70

<< <i>how about a Willie McGee Handsome Boy Modeling School set? >>