Small Football Set Recommendations

LJB17 · July 17, 2003 3:29AM

I am looking to start up a vintage football set and I was looking for some recommendations. I have always collected baseball and never ventured much in the world of football cards. I am not looking to put together a #1 set, but probably something more in the PSA 7 range with 6s and 8s scattered about. I like sets that are generally smaller in quantity like the 30-50 range. The 1954 Red Heart Baseball is a great example. I was looking through and saw the 1949 leaf which even though the cards are numbered 1-150 appear to only have 49 cards. However, that set seems to be pretty tough to find as there are only 809 cards graded from the set in total.

I also like to do subsets of larger sets. One of my favorite sets is 1970 Topps baseball, but 720 graded cards is too much for me which is why I have dropped out of the challenge. So, while I am still putting together a nice raw set I am only grading the All Stars which is a nice 20 card subset.

Here are the characteristics that I am looking for.

1. Set must be 1970 or earlier.
2. Set must be 20-50 cards.
3. The brighter the colors the better.
4. Price is still an issue, so nothing like the 54 Wilson Franks.
5. As I am starting from scratch I need something with some availability.

Thanks for your input,
Luke

AlanAllen · July 17, 2003 3:54AM

There are many sets that meet most of your criteria, but not many widely-collected sets that meet them all. One of the great things about early (pre-1968) mainstream football sets is they are so small! Only one major set (1961 Fleer) from that era is over 200 cards. Most sets have a high concentration of HOFers.

You might want to reconsider the 30-50 card limit. But if you don't, there are still some nice choices out there. You are correct that 1949 Leaf is extraordinarily difficult in any grade. If you want to go hardcore, a low-grade 36-card 1935 National Chicle set might be up your alley. These are classic art-deco style colorful cards, and even a low grade set is quite respectable. Low grade cards are out there. If you want to start out slow, the 1970 Topps Super and Super Glossy sets are quite colorful, and very affordable even in the 8-9 range. 1968 Topps stand-ups are pretty cool too.

Do you have an idea of about how much you wan to spend? There are lots of popular mainstream sets in the 100-150 card range that are pretty cheap in 7. For example:

1954 Bowman 126 cards $2750
1956 Topps 120 cards $3000
1958 Topps 132 cards $2600

Good luck,
Joe

Fabfrank · July 17, 2003 4:51AM

Based on your criteria, I would recommend the 70 Kelloggs Football set. Here's why:
#1 t's a small set (60 cards).
#2 It's the 1st year issue for Kellogg's.
#3 Great player selection with almost a third of the set HOF'ers
#4 Bright colors and unique use of the 3-D effect
#5 Very affordable. Most PSA 8's can be had for under $10. PSA 9's go for $12 - $25. PSA 10's are expensive, but can be bought from $125-$250 depending on player
#6 There is usually a steady supply on Ebay

Check out the set, and if you decide to do it, I'll send you your first PSA 8 free to get you started.
LMK and good luck!

sixdart · July 17, 2003 5:16AM

"You might want to reconsider the 30-50 card limit.

- Joe"

Joe is correct for your criteria. Trying to stay with a smaller complete set may limit you to an obscure regional or regular issue. Those type of sets are very difficult to assemble, for example; 1949 Leaf, 1950 Topps Feltbacks and 1951 Topps Magic.

The set that may meet your requirements ...

"probably something more in the PSA 7 range with 6s and 8s scattered about. ..."

... are the 1950 and 1951 Bowman football sets. These sets have very colorful watercolors, are affordable in PSA 8 and are available in PSA 7s and PSA 6s at bargain prices. The populations numbers on these cards are just right, not too scarce and not too common.

There are also team subsets for these years that may also interest you. I will be requesting more '50 Bowman team subsets of my favorite teams, and teams the cards have the most visual appeal. These subsets can range from 8 to 16 cards. Here is a link to my '50 Bowman Registry Set that offers scanned images for you to sample some of the cards ...

1950 Bowman Football

You can also request your own subset to the Registry.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Marcus

LJB17 · July 18, 2003 1:45AM

The 1950 Bowman football are very nice cards. However, I really want to stay away from 100+ card sets. I like to be able to get my hands around a set and really enjoy looking at it in its enterity. I have thought about the 1970 Kellogg's and I may go that route, but the 1949 Leaf still intrigue me. If anyone else can give me more information on those sets, I may be able to nail down my decision. I do realize the price points are very different on the sets and while dollars are a big concern I am not looking to complete this any time soon, so I can budget myself for the long hall if I go for the Leaf set.

Some questions on these.
49 Leaf
Does SMR of PSA 8s accurately depict the going rate?
What is the chance of still finding these raw in 7-8 quality?
70 Kellogg's
Are there certain cards that are tougher than others? ie.Carlos May in baseball
What is the overall price of 9s for this set?

Thanks again,
Luke

1954 · July 18, 2003 2:16AM

I like the Leaf idea. Great value and potential there.

1954

mrc32 · July 18, 2003 2:19AM

I always like the 55 Bowman set. I actually started it last year (raw), only to give up to go back to my T-205 collection.

dbj77 · July 18, 2003 2:25AM

I'll second the 1970 Kelloggs set. In PSA 8 this set can be put together for dirt cheap. I've seen PSA 8's of common players go for $5 on a regular basis. If you are looking for an older set, I'd say you should raise it to an 100 card set.

SKINSFAN · July 18, 2003 5:26AM

TRY 55 All Americans. 100 card set in psa 6 grade not hard at all

Fabfrank · July 18, 2003 6:20AM

70 Kellogg's

Are there certain cards that are tougher than others? ie.Carlos May in baseball

Best source would be the pop report. It took me 3 months to complete the set in PSA 9. I bought half the cards in one deal, and than bought the rest on a card by card basis. I gave you an idea on average prices in my previous post. PSA 9 stars go for a little more, but this is a very doable set in 9. Email some of the guys on the registry too. When guys upgrade to 10's they tend to sell their 9's. Plus many of those guys of doubles in their collection.
P.S. My offer still stands on the free PSA 8 card if you decide to do it.

KING KELLOGG · July 18, 2003 11:50AM

Kellogg's all the way!!!

(what did you expect with a name like KING KELLOGG ??????.....)

I can help fill a few holes...

Good luck!

Larry

Small Football Set Recommendations

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