112 Down--1969 Topps Completed in PSA 8 or Better;1953-69 Topps Run Complete

Davalillo

Why do I stop at 1968 with the vintage baseball sets I was often asked. Why didn't I do 1969 Topps(which is a nice set) and extend my run through the 1960s. Since I did not have a good reason, I started 1969. I thought that with the set in ungraded nrmt-mt with just stars graded it would not be too hard. I'd send in my cards that I thought would get an 8 and ask Brian or Steve to buy the rest. The problem was that I had assembled the set raw in the late 1980s with no attention to centering. Less than half of my cards received an 8 rating and I had to buy the rest. Yikes. I actually did buy some off ebay before I got booted because I would not use PayPal(whatever that is?) but the rest of the cards were bought for me by Brian Dwyer and after he disappeared Steve Novella. Where is Brian anyway? Brian and Steve actually moved quickly through the 69s and my collection was complete when Steve picked up the pop 39 John Boccabella in psa 8. I used to go to Montreal in the early-mid 70s to see the Expos when I was in college and loved to hear the announcer say John Boccabelllllllla and Angel Herrrrrrmoso. If I ever do 1970 it will be buying the set already graded. Highlights of the 1969 set are the Reggie Rookie, the Mantle White Letter variation and Nolan's second year card.

I have a smattering of 9s in the set and ended up with a 8.12 set rating which places me 14th. I will let the set rest at that level. The great Don Spence leads the charge in the 69s. I sort of think its cool to have a run of complete Topps sets 1953-69 with each card PSA 8 or better. Also I think its worthy of note that this is the 50th vintage baseball set I have completed in PSA 8 or better.

Thanks to all the collectors and dealers who have played such an instrumental role in helping me complete my sets.

Completed sets in PSA 8 or better are as follows:

BASEBALL(50):

1936 S&S
1941 Play Ball
1948 Bowman
1951 Bowman
1951 Topps Blue Back
1951 Topps Red Back
1952 Bowman
1953 Topps
1954 Bowman
1954 Red Heart
1954 Topps
1955 Bowman
1955 Red Man Tobacco
1955 Topps
1956 Topps
1957 Topps
1958 Topps
1959 Fleer
1959 Topps
1960 Fleer
1960 Leaf
1960 Topps
1961 Golden Press
1961 Nu Card
1961 Topps
1961-62 Fleer
1962 Topps
1963 Fleer
1963 Topps
1963 Topps Peel-Offs
1964 Topps
1964 Topps Giants
1964 Topps Stand Ups
1965 Topps
1966 East Hills Pirates
1966 Topps
1967 Topps
1967 Topps Pirates Stickers
1967 Topps Red Sox Stickers
1968 Topps
1968 Topps Game
1969 Topps
1969 Topps Deckle Edge
1969 Topps Super
1970 Kelloggs
1970 Milton Bradley
1970 Rold Gold
1970 Topps Super
1973 Topps(1953 Reprints)
1974 Topps Deckle Edge

FOOTBALL(28):

1948 Bowman
1950 Bowman
1951 Bowman
1953 Bowman
1954 Bowman
1955 Bowman
1955 Topps All-America
1956 Topps
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 Pliladelphia
1964 Topps
1965 Philadelphia
1967 Topps
1968 Topps
1968 Topps 4-in-1s
1969 Topps
1970 Topps
1976 Wonder Bread

BASKETBALL(9):

1948 Bowman
1957 Topps
1961 Fleer
1969-70 Topps
1970-71 Topps
1971-72 Topps
1971-72 Topps Trios
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

NON-SPORT(20):

1934 Carreras Film Stars
1934 Gallaher Champions of the Screen and Stage
1935 C & T Bridgewater
1938 Gallaher Film Episodes
1938 Ogden's Actor and Character Studies
1939 Gallaher My Favorite Part
1945 Mutoscope Artists Pin Ups
1952 Dixie Cup Nelson's Ice Cream
1955 Barbers Tea Cinema & TV Stars
1955 Movie Stars of MGM
1956 Jibco Tea Screen Stars, Second Edition
1956 U.S. Presidents
1957 C.W.S. Western Stars
1958 TV Westerns
1960 Fleer Spins & Needles
1962 ABC Colorstars
1962 Barrett & Co Warriors Thru the Ages
1962 Topps Civil War News
1966 Leaf Good Guys and Bad Guys
1967 Who Am I?

gemint

Great job Jim. I'm glad you finally broke down and extended your run to my beloved 1969 set. I'm surprised Boccabella was the last piece of the puzzle. Usually it would be Shannon, Satriano, Andrews, Kekich or McDaniel.

bbuckner22

Hey Jim, I am old school and I too remember the Expos PA guy calling out Boccabelllla at old Jarry Park.

gemint

By the way, if you take on 1970, there's no way you can stop before completing 1971. That set is more challenging than many of the 1960s sets you've completed.

Davalillo

Gemint,

I understand. Probably if I submitted all 790 or so cards that I considered nrmt to my when I pieced it together, I would not get any more than 25?percent 8s.

Jim

ssdawg77

Outstanding Jim, you have an absolutely amazing collection.

Griffins

Jim, you've got to go thru to at least '71!
BTW, Brian is now running an auction house, SterlingSports.com
As with everything he does, it's well run and honest. More than can be said for virtually all of the competition.

mikeschmidt

If you go through 1971, you my as well go through 1973, the last year Topps issued cards in series. That would be a logical stopping point.

Congrats, Jim, on another set!

Do you plan on making a serious run at any of the four Bowman sets you're still working on?

Dboneesq

WTG Jim ... always nice seeing you finish off another.

Here's my request ... pick out your 3 favorite cards from each set you have completed and have your daughter scan and post them whenever she gets the chance ... even if it's only a dozen or so at a time.

Davalillo

Anthony and Mark,

I don't think so. At this point, likely to keep focusing on sets I have started or older sets but you never know.

Mark,

I am missing just 1 card in 1950 Bowman and 1953 Bowman Color. Prospects are favorable for at least one of these. For 1949 Bowman and 1953 Bowman Black and White I think I need 6 in each set. They are all high numbers in 1949 and last time I checked had pops of 6 or less in psa 8. I think I have those 6 in 7. 1953 black and whites which I think you predicted would be my last one is even tougher.

Doug,

I will ask her to post some cards on psa next time she comes out. Three for every set

though she would be at the computer all weekend.

jim

kidzfund

Congrats Jim. That's quite a museum collection you have there.

Joe

FavreFan1971

Jim that is great! For football you must got up to 1972. The 1971 is a challenge because of the cool colored borders but the 1972 set is classic. Last Topps set in series. Dozens of HOFers in the set. Nine HOF Rookie cards in the set led by Staubach. You have to get into this set, it is not too difficult to complete and there are some challenges in 9 to find. Good luck and I hope you take on the football challenge.

Fabfrank

Congrats Jim. Haven't seen you post in awhile, so it was good to hear you're still working on your sets. As usual, keep us posted.

Davalillo

Frank,

Nice to hear from you. Boy, some of these 60s football sets are surprisingly tough.

Favre Fan,

I have those sets in nrmt to mt with stars graded. Not as many cards as baseball so it's a possibility, particularly 1971.

Jim