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1959 Topps Set Build - finally done!

Update - took me almost a year to get the last 20 cards I needed, and 3 months to get the last one - the Mantle Sporting News card.

Here's a few scans of the last 4 cards that finished up the set:
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On to finishing the 1960 Topps set now.

I started building sets about 4 years ago and have finished 56 and 61 Topps. I’ve found set building is a lot more affordable than just buying random PSA graded cards since so many of the cards are commons, and I can often find really nice mid-grade stars that look great raw (like the PSA 5 Bob Gibson). I’ve probably cracked out 30-40 cards. It’s also nice to be getting new cards every week, and I find myself reading the backs of the cards just like I did when I was a kid.

I love the colors in this set, especially when the cards are centered nicely. Of course that’s true for pretty much every Topps set from the 50’s and 60’s.

Some toughies - The Phillies team card, #8, is crazy expensive for a nice example, more than I want to pay so I’m still looking for it. All the team cards are tough, I guess because they are often marked, and possibly because they just weren’t that popular and got tossed out more often than regular cards? And I hate paying much for team cards, they’re my least favorite cards. George (Sparky) Anderson is brutal and pricey when you find one. Jackie Jensen was also pretty tough.



Some of the star cards – mostly PSA 7 and 8. The Eddie Mathews is really tough to find centered.
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Here's a few of the tough high number Sporting News All Stars. I still need the Mantle, Mays and Aaron cards.
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These are commons but were really hard to find centered examples:
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I love the multiple player cards:

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A few random cards I just like the look of:
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"Molon Labe"

Comments

  • Nathaniel1960Nathaniel1960 Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice cards. I'm currently pursuing that set as well in PSA 5/6 range. Agree with your assessments on the tuff commons and teams.

    Are you also collecting the variations and the grey backs (200 to 250 or so)?

    Good luck finding an affordable centered Campy tribute.

    NAT
    Kiss me once, shame on you.
    Kiss me twice.....let's party.
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭
    Very nice set. Did you buy the stars already slabbed or did you send them in yourself? Are most of the cards raw? Best of luck with completing the set. Many years ago I bought a lot of about 200-225 '59's ... no stars. One day I am going to go thru them again and possibly start putting the set together. Might be a good project in a few years when I HOPEFULLY retire down to Florida.
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • SidePocketSidePocket Posts: 2,901 ✭✭✭
    Hi Nat, I'm not collecting the variations or grey backs, although some cards have the grey backs.

    Doug, I bought the stars already graded. Interestingly the Musial was an SGC 6 that I cracked and subbed to PSA, where it came back an 8. I have a Drysdale that I bought from Ron Burgundy that was a PSA 8 that I cracked and resubbed and it came back a 9.

    image

    Most of the cards are raw other than the stars and some of the "Thrills" cards, although I've cracked many 5's, 6's, and 7's to get them raw. If I was to build the set again I would probably buy everything raw since the set is in binders.

    "Molon Labe"

  • DanBessetteDanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
    What a classic set. Thanks for sharing.
  • mrpeanut39mrpeanut39 Posts: 841 ✭✭✭
    That Words of Wisdom card is a bonafide classic. I would've loved to have been a fly on the wall for that one. I don't think Casey is showing Larsen a new changeup grip there.
    "I think the guy must be practicing voodoo or something. Check out his eyes. Rico's crazier than a peach orchard sow." -- Whitey Herzog, Spring Training 1973
  • heritageheritage Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭
    Wow that's a very nice looking set, The cards have vibrant colors.
  • SidePocketSidePocket Posts: 2,901 ✭✭✭
    Updated today!

    "Molon Labe"

  • arexarex Posts: 999
    Congrats on finishing the set!
    Ive started to think about buying stars in PSA (or buying raw and subbing as I like doing that) and then buying the commons raw and having a hybrid set.
    I love the 59s set up! Hell I love almost all the designs from the 50's both Topps and Bowman.
    Again, congrats!
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Congratulations Mark.
    Mike
  • DanBessetteDanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
    Congrats on completing a great looking set!!
  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭
    First Topps set I finished and a sentimental favorite for me. Congrats on finishing it and good luck with the 60 set
    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • Congrats!
    Beautiful looking cards!

    1960 has always been a favorite of mine, good luck with it!
  • PLEHRPLEHR Posts: 102
    Congratulations on your set completion. The 1959 set is a classic and the Whitey Ford is one of my favorite cards in the hobby.
  • belzbelz Posts: 1,217 ✭✭✭
    Wow congrats
    "Wots Uh The Deal" by Pink Floyd
  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,463 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very nice set. Congrats

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • heritageheritage Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭
    Wow that's a very nice looking set, The cards have vibrant colors.



    I'll stand by these words... Congrats on a wonderful set and thank you for taking the time for all the scans.
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    That is a great looking set. I love the colors in the set. One of my favorite designs from Topps.
    Steve
  • jayhawkejayhawke Posts: 1,316 ✭✭✭
    Sidepocket,

    Congrats on finishing the set.
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