1952 Topps Low # Set Build ERSKINE, HAUK, ROE and COMMONS ADDED

Rudedawg · September 19, 2014 11:44PM

The last few months I started selling off small parts of my collection to pay for minor expenses at home. As I went through everything, I started realizing I didn't even look at a good part of my collection because I was either satisfied with the sets or didn't want to take them any further. I have purchased most of the sets or cards I wanted as a youth and felt satisfied with filling that urge. Over time, I've realized that I most enjoy set building. I also have found a love for more vintage sets based on their beauty and appeal. Ultimately, the chase of finding singles to build a set from the ground up has become my primary focus and enjoyment. I went through every set that I could part with and am selling those to fund a this new venture. Too many sets created too little focus for me.

I started 1955 Topps and 1934 Goudey set builds and have made good progress on them. However, I wanted to start one more set that posed a little more of a challenge. I've always been aware of the 1952 Topps set and it's place in the collecting world. However, I had never really dived into and truly looked at all it offered. After giving it a good amount of time and research, I started to see why it has been so appealing to many collectors. I've always loved the Topps run from 1952-1956 and that is why I intially picked 1955 to start. However, most every card can be had in good condition at any given time and the set somewhat blends together with the same profiles on every card.

The 1952 set offers many different poses, colors, backgrounds, profiles (horizontal) and I love the blend of actual photos with some artist enhancement. I was looking to do a 1953 set build but found it was a little too much on the "painting" side. If you want to say I'm drinking the Kool-Aid, so be it, but I do see a "mystique" in the 1952 set when I look at it.

The obvious issue with collecting this set are the High Numbers and the Mantle card. I decided that just completing the Low Numbers would be very satisfying and a basic starting place. In other sets, I have always collected about any card that would fill a hole in the checklist. But, I saw some good points from other board members over time that a set is much more appealing with consistent condition and centering on the set. I agree with that and the 1952's look much better when they are centered nicely. I am not a high net worth collector, so I am targeting lower grade raw cards (G-VG/EX) that have good centering and nice overall appeal for the grade. I am not going for all the red & black backs/variations/etc. at this time. As long as it has a different number on the back, that is fine with me. If that changes with time, so be it. For now, we'll just start slow.

Enough talk, here is the beginning. I absolutely LOVE this card and the image. I am looking to have the star cards graded and a little nicer quality. I think I got it with this one....

Some raws that I picked up that I thought were a good price

I have more coming in the next couple days and will put them up. Thanks for looking!

DanBessette · September 20, 2014 12:50AM

Very cool, I love the Duke card! Please keep up with updates on this thread, as I have a feeling I'll really enjoy it.

begsu1013 · September 20, 2014 12:57AM

I found a stack of 52 lows / 1 high....just sent them off to psa and most came back 5/6s. ended up w/ several upgrades so I have a few duplicates, if you might be interested...think i'm gonna get most of my money back from a few other cards from that 30lb purchase....

hit me up on a pm. would love to see them go to a good home ....

my 52 topps run

bounce · September 20, 2014 12:58AM

that's a great looking snider - i'm building the 1952 set as well, it's fun just be patient with it

dberk12 · September 20, 2014 7:57AM

Phenomenal cards. Looking at any '52 cards gives a great feeling of nostalgia. Good luck with your pursuit.

Dboneesq · September 20, 2014 8:36AM

Best of luck with the set. I really like that set as well.

Piggs · September 20, 2014 1:43PM

Great to see you collecting this set, one of my favorites. I also collect the set as it's a fun challenge for sure. Looking at some of your cards, I wouldn't be afraid of looking for a little higher quality commons in the numbers 81-251 area. PSA 5's and 6's are very affordable. I wouldn't settle for rounded corners on the commons but that's just me. Good luck with it and please keep us up to date. Doug

Rudedawg · September 28, 2014 2:31AM

Thanks for the comments guys. I could certainly be a little more patient and pickier with my card condition choices. After seeing every '52 card that has come across eBay the last couple weeks, there are a good amount of better commons with better corners/centering/etc. I've been watching some PSA 4's and 5's in commons, but they are a little higher on price than I want to spend right now. I try to find deals in the $5.00-$10.00 area per common. The latest...............

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baseballfan · September 28, 2014 10:31AM

Good luck, I'm doing this set as well. Let me know if you get some doubles I have some to trade in the same condition.

Great set and a lot of fun put together.

Dialj · September 28, 2014 11:36PM

Having always loved team logos and the history of them, I never noticed that in the '52 Topps set the Brownies and Cardinals have what appears to be the same STL on their hats. I know the Brownies had some different logos over their era and the Cardinals have pretty much had the same one over the course of their history. I wonder just "how" close it really is to the Cardinals. I guess copyrights weren't that big of deal back then. Thoughts????

RipublicaninMass · September 28, 2014 11:45PM

Nothing like well centered 52s! I've been neurotic about centering over the last 5 or so years and have only been able pick up about 200/407 with about 30 highs.

Rudedawg · October 4, 2014 2:11AM

Got some really nice ones this last week. I'm really happy with the Monty Irvin.

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DanBessette · October 4, 2014 3:20AM

That Irvin is sweet!

heritage · October 4, 2014 12:21PM

Very nice there not grading 9's but I still think they are very cool.

Rudedawg · October 9, 2014 1:06PM

Got a good deal on the Ashburn and it shows well for a Good 2. The Jensen is one of my top 5 favorite in the entire set. I think he looks like Mantle in that photo. It's similar to Mantle's pose on the 1957 Topps.

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ashabby · October 9, 2014 2:14PM

Nice cards. I started mine this past summer. Long way to go. Good luck.

Rudedawg · November 2, 2014 12:25AM

Some more commons. Been spending a tad more to get cards closer to VG and VG/EX. Making good, slow progress

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Rudedawg · November 10, 2014 9:55PM

The Garagiola is a great photo of him and the background is so vibrant. I was going to stick with PSA for my graded cards, but tried to "buy the card, not the holder" and picked the Schoendienst for a good price.

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Dboneesq · November 10, 2014 11:46PM

Very nice additions. I like how you pay attention to centering. Keep us updated on this Classic Set!

Piggs · November 11, 2014 1:20PM

Really nice cards for sure. You are doing great on the set. Keep it going. Doug

Rudedawg · November 24, 2014 11:13PM

A couple of pick-ups recently. For some reason, the Wynn card is really appealing to me. It's a basic setup/background, but the green backdrop makes me think of the green Cobb t206. The same goes for the other cards in this set that have the vivid red/yellow/green backgrounds.....reminds me so much of the t206 set. Got some semi-high #'s coming soon!!

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Piggs · November 25, 2014 1:56AM

Nice pick ups. Keep it rolling and good luck. Doug

Stone193 · November 25, 2014 2:03AM

I've been watching your set growth.

Two very nice cards. Best of luck moving forward.

Rudedawg · November 29, 2014 8:07AM

Thanks for the encouragement guys! The set is really growing on me as time goes by.....

The Mize is one of my Top 10 favorite images in the entire set. It is very slightly tilted, but very clean and nice. Haven't seen a couple of these semi's come up very often in auction format.

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DanBessette · November 29, 2014 8:37AM

Love the mize photo and love the old school team logos in the set.

Dboneesq · November 29, 2014 8:54AM

<< <i>The set is really growing on me as time goes by >>

Funny, I felt the same way when I first started putting together this set in autographed form. Was never one of my favorite sets back in the day, but I really like this set now. One of my favorites!

Very nice additions ... I enjoy watching you make progress on this set.

Rudedawg · December 13, 2014 4:25AM

Really nice centering on the Ted K. The Sauer, Miller and Cox present very nice for the overall grade and price I got them for. Gonna be putting in some hard bids on a few auctions this weekend and next. week.

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Dboneesq · December 13, 2014 6:58AM

Looking REAL good. Love watching you put together this fantastic set. I just picked up my 179th different autographed card from this set today.

Keep us updated. Best of luck!

heritage · December 13, 2014 7:13AM

Tookie Gilbert.....Love it !!
Thank you for posting your cards.

Rudedawg · February 7, 2015 3:23AM

The Erskine and Hauk have been a little tough to find centered nicely, but I was happy with these overall. The Preacher has such great colors as well.

Unfortunately, the costs of life are requiring a bit of a break from this particular set build. Hopefully I can pick it up again this summer or fall. It has really been a great set to work on.

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Piggs · February 7, 2015 8:15AM

The Erskine and the Jones cards are really hard to find centered, nice job on those. Good luck with your break, cards can wait when it comes to other issues. Take care. Doug

ssdawg77 · February 7, 2015 9:26AM

Very nice, consistent centering. You have a good looking set going.

1952 Topps Low # Set Build ERSKINE, HAUK, ROE and COMMONS ADDED

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