1965 topps - Am I crazy?

Ripkenfan126

So I was just sitting here thinking it would be cool to build a complete psa set. One of my earlier fav designs like many
Others is the 1965 topps set. Am I crazy to try to do this? I by any means am not rich or have tons of money. If I would
Do like a psa 7-8 set is that gonna be super expensive? I know it would take some time also as there are almost 600 cards
in this set. Are there a lot of these out there?

addicted2ebay

That set in Psa 7 or 8 would cost at least $10,000 and up.

Bravesguy44

I recently started a 1965 set and I think it is probably one of the most attainable 60s sets as there are no mega rookie cards or particularly scarce cards/series. I have found the cards to be pretty easy to find.

Disclaimer: I am building a VG-EX raw set so a PSA 7-8 may be a different animal altogether. This is a great set. Good luck if you decide to proceed.

MantleFan23

Building a PSA set takes a lot of time (years), but is a very rewarding process. Currently, I'm building a 1956 topps set in PSA7. Estimated cost to complete the set is probably around $15,000, while that may seem like a large number, if you budget accordingly, its really not that bad, and since it will take me 10 years to complete it, the outlay annually, isn't really that bad.

A few things that I have learned early:

1) Focus on centering. I started building the set, and just bought "any old 7". As I learned more about the set, I started to put more of an emphasis on acquiring more centered copies. This obviously will make the process go a little slower, but I find that the cards I do purchase I enjoy a lot more. I've also thrown in a few 7.5's into the mix as these typically have better centering. I think this could play a role with the 65 set due to the white borders.

2) There will be times where might "lose interest" in doing the set. Things come up in life where you may not be able to buy a lot of cards, etc. or you may lose interest in doing the set. Don't get discouraged. I also find that when I don't have a lot of money to spend on cards, I buy a common here or there to at least give me the feeling that I'm making up ground.

3) Register your set on the registry. This is a great way to keep track of all the cards that you purchase.

4) Try to stay focused. One thing that I didn't anticipate was my budding interest in unopened. A lot of the money that I budgeted for cards, ended up going to unopened which slowed me down a bit.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

Jeremy

JVette

The 1965 Topps set is my favorite set ever. It was the first PSA set I assembled and I still enjoy upgrading it. I think it is an excellent set to start building.

1) They are plentiful and relatively reasonably priced. PSA 7's can be purchased for right around the grading fee.
2) There are no huge, high-priced rookie cards. Morgan and Carlton are the major rookies.
3) The high numbers are not particularly scarce or pricey. Some 7th series short-prints, but they are not that expensive.
4) They are just great looking cards. Excellent color, great pictures, nice design.
5) Protect them from sunlight or the blue backs will fade over time.

Just take your time and enjoy !!
- Jack

Orioles

I like this set as well and have thought about starting it. VCP on a straight 7 set is $9261. A quick look at average prices shows there are 8 cards with VCP prices above $100 (obviously condition can vary at a 7 but these should be close). The 8 cards are:

Mantle $740
Koufax $170
Morgan $140
Clemente $148
Aaron $130
Rose $155
Mays $135
Carlton $164

There was also a lot at the Greg Bussineau auction that just ended with 551 of the 598 cards with a weighted grade of 8.01 that went for $13,260. Of the 8 cards above it only had the Carlton, so adding the other 47 cards would probably drive the price above $16-17k. here is the link to that auction:


65 lot link

good luck with whatever you choose.

Jim

or246

I started a 1965 PSA 8 set a few years ago. Seems like me that prices have gone up and availability have dwindled a lot. Commons that I was bidding with one or two others a couple years ago now have 6 or 7 for just about every card. PSA 7s seem to be readily available at a good price. I would prolly be close to finishing it if I would have went for a PSA 7.

WinPitcher

When I did my set 2004-06, cards were always available, a few were really tough, C.Smith comes to mind.
At that time I felt the 4th series cards were harder than the last series ones.

When I retired it in 2006, I was ranked 14th, today it is 48th. I'd say that those that thought that this
set wouldn't continue to appreciate were dead wrong. I paid a lil over 5k, back then buying lots, piecemeal
and trading. I was fortunate to have the number 1 set owner at the time (Duke of Mint) helping me along the way.

I sold it off as I acquired it (piecemeal) and made a little money. Patience is a virtue when building these 500+ card sets.

Good luck, it's a fun journey.

sbtrailrider

A couple thoughts from a casual set collector (1964 stand ups PSA 7+ and 1975 Mini PSA 8+; both near completion; other sets are raw)... Ask yourself why you want a graded set. Is the fun to seek out the graded cards, to find tehm raw and then submit for grading, to simply own and enjoy? This might help you decide on a plan of action and help with your focus over time. My experience is that the budget takes a huge hit when you add in shipping fees for buying individual cards online. I had good results with lot buys of graded cards and sending in a few lots of raw cards for grading.

If you have the cash you could consider buying a complete or near complete set and then chasing upgrades. That did not occur to me when I started and would have provided me with the same joy of "the chase" to complete the set.

Good luck and happy collecting!

Mintacular

Can't hurt to start off with a subset of stars or cards you like from that set, and then decide if you want to go the whole 9 yards after that....Also, consider opportunity cost i.e. what other cards (or other interests) would you give up in order to chase various commons, high #'s, etc....Last, if and when you have to sell, it would be hard to imagine you would get your investment back (JMO)

JMDVM

There are some tough low pop 8s like Charlie Smith. A all 7 set is affordable. You might even look for raw cards and submit for grading. There are no scarce series.I'm working on an all 8 but there is no way I'm paying $250+ for a Smith.

bobsbbcards

Using average VCP (as of 11:45pm, 3/24/2014):

PSA 7 set - $8,619
PSA 8 set - $19,049
PSA 9 set - $73,123 (pricing #291 Jerry Lynch at $200 since there was no current data for that card)

GDM67

<< <i>Can't hurt to start off with a subset of stars or cards you like from that set, and then decide if you want to go the whole 9 yards after that... >>

That's what I was thinking. Specifically, maybe starting with an O's team set.

Steelernation

I just jumped in a while back and completed it this past summer. I may need 1-2 commons and upgrade a few. But it is a cool set and not the most difficult to put together. Vs others I mean. Still a challenge.
I did enjoy the hunt.

Even my non card friends are impressed and enjoy it.

Good luck

WinPitcher

JMDVM When I was doing my set Smith was 800+ Has the Gabrielson card taken off?

It became a lower pop than the Smith back then and I saw one go for 300, from 25.

Luckily I already had one.

JMDVM

<< <i>JMDVM When I was doing my set Smith was 800+ Has the Gabrielson card taken off?

It became a lower pop than the Smith back then and I saw one go for 300, from 25.

Luckily I already had one. >>



The last six Gabrielsons, starting with the most recent, sold for $91,$76.69, 65.33, $123.50, $114,$110

addicted2ebay

<< <i>Using average VCP (as of 11:45pm, 3/24/2014):

PSA 7 set - $8,619
PSA 8 set - $19,049
PSA 9 set - $73,123 (pricing #291 Jerry Lynch at $200 since there was no current data for that card) >>



How did you do that?

ThoseBackPages

<< <i>

<< <i>Using average VCP (as of 11:45pm, 3/24/2014):

PSA 7 set - $8,619
PSA 8 set - $19,049
PSA 9 set - $73,123 (pricing #291 Jerry Lynch at $200 since there was no current data for that card) >>



How did you do that? >>



Great question!

and if its easy, can you post the results for 1971 Topps?

oldrivers

Good stuff. I wish I had of known half this when I started my sets years ago.

Griffins

all you do is add the set in vcp to your inventory, have it all PSA 7 or PSA 8, and it will add each card at that level and give you a total. Takes about 45 seconds. If the majority are one grade but some other grades it's easier to make them all one and then adjust individual ones.

Steelernation

What did u decide specifically? Keep us updated. Thx

qualitycards

To raise $, I gave several lots to REA (Catalogs should be out this week)
& one lot is 1965 Topps Baseball in 7's & 8's (+ 8.5's), over 300 different
mostly commons & minor stars. No Mantle, Koufax, Clemente, Rose, Aaron etc..
This will give you a great start and you may get it on the cheap.

To everyone else, sorry for the spam.

aconte

Hey Jay,

Looks like a nice lot you got there. Just got the catalog today.

Good luck!

aconte