Which Vintage FB set?

BobS · March 10, 2008 12:47AM

So - I like to be working on at least one raw set per sport at a time. I recently abandoned completing my 72 FB high series set, so I need to start another FB.

I'll build the whole set RAW, with EX-NM centered commons, and perhaps the RC's and stars in PSA 5-7. My budget is around a grand.

So I'm thinking 57 Topps or one of the Philadelphia sets. Don't know much about pre 70's FB sets (and don't have any either), so I'm looking for suggestions. Scans would be helpful. Also # of cards, big cards in the set, issues (ie centering), estimated cost, whatever you can offer. I'll probably start with a large lot off e-bay (or from someone here) and go from there.

So, what are my options?

Publius · March 10, 2008 1:25AM

50 bowman, 57 topps, 48 leaf, 67 philly.

All my personal favorite vintage football.

joe

rajah424 · March 10, 2008 1:34AM

PM sent

nam812 · March 10, 2008 1:36AM

<< 50 bowman, 57 topps, 48 leaf, 67 philly.

All my personal favorite vintage football.

joe >>

He's on a budget Joe, he doesnt have the money to buy and sell little countries like you.

BigDaddyBowman · March 10, 2008 1:50AM

If you are looking for a fairly cheap set to build, that still has some big names I recommend the 1960 topps football. Has only a couple of rookies, so it won't deplete your wallet. It is the only raw vintage set I built...cost me very little to build. Here are a few scans:

Believe it or not, you might be able to build a graded set for around a thousand. I like the 60 set because it has many of the big names from the 50's who were near the end of their careers, and the big names from the 60's who were starting their careers.

BigDaddyBowman · March 10, 2008 2:00AM

1959 set is also a nice design, and also has the big names without having a killer rookie or shortprints. Jim Brown second year card iis real nice nice. This set will cost a little more than the 60, but it also has several more key rookies.

If you have any questions about any of the vintage football sets, PM me.

Ryan

BobS · March 10, 2008 2:01AM

Thanks so far guys.

So looks like 57 topps, 67 Philly and 60 topps are the front runners so far.

rexvos · March 10, 2008 2:04AM

I love 1969, if you go for high grade it is really pricey, but 7s and below are not bad at all.

also 1962 is gorgeous, but can get pricey as well

BigDaddyBowman · March 10, 2008 2:07AM

<< Thanks so far guys.

So looks like 57 topps, 67 Philly and 60 topps are the front runners so far. >>

57 topps is a great set, but will cost you some BIG bucks....set includes these rookies

also teh Hornung rookie sorry don't have that one to show you.

if cost is a major factor, stay away from 57 and 58.....58 has these big rookies

and a second year

and a second year Unitas (don't have to show you)

57 and 58 will cost you much more MUCh more than the 59 and 60...yet the same players are in the sets...just not rookies.

mcolney1 · March 10, 2008 2:38AM

Sorry, no scans, but the 1968 set is very attractive and affordable. I like it because its the first year since 1961 where both NFL and AFL players were in the same set produced by the same company. Griese is expensive in high grade and there is a checklist variation.

Question: There seems to be two paper variations on the 1968 set. One is a nice, bright white back and the other has a brownish tint. Is this due to the paper or exposure to light or age or is it truly two different paper stocks? I've got some nice '68s that look great on the front, but not so good on the back due to the tinting.

BobS · March 10, 2008 2:45AM

Excellent scans guys. I really like those 59's. Doable for under a grand? he, he - I said "doable".

Blackborder · March 10, 2008 2:57AM

59's are awsome.

CDsNuts · March 10, 2008 3:05AM

Why go for a set? You could pick up PSA 5 RCs of Jim Brown, Unitas, Starr and PSA 6 RCs of Tarkenton, Sayers, Ditka and Nitschke all for around a grand.

wolfbear · March 10, 2008 3:09AM

<< Sorry, no scans, but the 1968 set is very attractive and affordable. I like it because its the first year since 1961 where both NFL and AFL players were in the same set produced by the same company. Griese is expensive in high grade and there is a checklist variation.

Question: There seems to be two paper variations on the 1968 set. One is a nice, bright white back and the other has a brownish tint. Is this due to the paper or exposure to light or age or is it truly two different paper stocks? I've got some nice '68s that look great on the front, but not so good on the back due to the tinting. >>

You are correct sir!
One of those things I've noticed but it didn't really register.

Just went and looked at the backs of a couple of 1968 sets that I have.
Some cards are bright on the back and some are a dingy brown. The number doesn't matter because I have brights and dingys of the same #?

jimq112 · March 10, 2008 3:17AM

1961 Fleer is a small set, nothing real impossible to find or afford in decent grade, the only expensive rookies are jim otto and don maynard. The thing I like the best about them is they're simple and look like throwback football cards.

I'm not sure you get a PSA 7 or 8 set for $1000 but there aren't that many cards that will cost you $1000 by themselves like in the 57 set.

wolfbear · March 10, 2008 3:20AM

<< Why go for a set? You could pick up PSA 5 RCs of Jim Brown, Unitas, Starr and PSA 6 RCs of Tarkenton, Sayers, Ditka and Nitschke all for around a grand. >>

Because not everyone is obsessed with only owning Hall of Famer's 'rookie cards'.

There were lots of interesting people who played the game.
Also, putting together a complete set is a lot more fun than just throwing money at a few big stars.

BigDaddyBowman · March 10, 2008 3:25AM

<< Excellent scans guys. I really like those 59's. Doable for under a grand? he, he - I said "doable". >>

Definately doable at about a grand...the two big cards..the Brown and Unitas will set you back only about 125-150 graded 7. Most of the stars are affordable,and the commons are pretty cheap. Sheesh...if I keep talking about it, I may start to build it

A few other 59's to pique your interest

CDsNuts · March 10, 2008 3:32AM

wolf, don't tell me how to tell people how to spend their money. Everybody should just do what I say without question.

wolfbear · March 10, 2008 3:43AM

hatter!

BobS · March 10, 2008 3:45AM

Alright - 59 it is.

There's an EX set on e-bay for a BIN of only $499 - So I'm assuming I can put one together with the stars graded and rest EX-NM for under my grand budget.

One question - these are the Topps "magic" football, right? They have a scratch-off on the back - right? any premium on cards not "scratched", or am I missing something?

So................who want's to start me off? looking for a starter set - EX-NM. Anyone?

wolfbear · March 10, 2008 4:09AM

In all my years of searching eBay,
I've never found a BIN that was worth the money.

The set is relatively easy to put together in NM condition.
Don't settle for EX and have some fun! Also, only buy unscratched back cards. They look way nicer.

Keep us updated on your progress ...

stown · March 10, 2008 4:21AM

<< One question - these are the Topps "magic" football, right? They have a scratch-off on the back - right? any premium on cards not "scratched", or am I missing something? >>

I believe so and same with the 1960 set.

If you are doing mostly raw, want EX-NM cards, and stay under $1K, I would second the 1969 set.

Brilliant colors, reasonable number of cards (263), handfull of HOFers (11, including Csonka's RC), and who doesn't like 69?!?

BobS · March 10, 2008 4:27AM

Stown -

Call me crazy - But I don't like the 69 set at all. Something about the mis-matched cards - some with borders, some without, drives me crazy.

11235813 · March 10, 2008 4:44AM

I'd go for the 1955 Bowman or 1956 Topps sets....both gorgeous and colorful with no major RC's.

Matt

stown · March 10, 2008 4:52AM

<< I'd go for the 1955 Bowman or 1956 Topps sets....both gorgeous and colorful with no major RC's.

Matt >>

Don't know where you can pick up either of those sets well centered in EX-NM condition for $1K.

If you know otherwise, please forward me their contact information and I'll paypal the cash within a couple of minutes.

Ahmanfan · March 10, 2008 5:22AM

I have had a lot of fun putting together '57 football but if you want nice cards it will cost more than 1k. '58 and '58 are great options for you for sure. Ihave been getting raw exmt '58s for a buck or 2 each. 59 should be around the same. both are nice sets. if you decide on teh '59s they are a nice choice.
John

mmync · March 10, 2008 6:00AM

I have a bunch of 1965 Philadelphia that I was planning on listing soon and it has a lot of the key cards. Have some 69 topps too.

11235813 · March 10, 2008 6:20AM

<< Don't know where you can pick up either of those sets well centered in EX-NM condition for $1K. >>

It would be challenging, but I think you probably could if you worked really hard at it. The 1955 Bowman is a 160-card set and the 1956 Topps is a 121-card set, and neither have any really expensive stars or RC's. They certainly would be no more difficult or expensive to put together than some of the other sets mentioned on this thread (like 1957, 1958, & 1959 Topps, for example).

Raw EX-MT commons for both sets are not difficult to find in the $4-8 range.

Matt

obusek99 · March 10, 2008 6:21AM

Go for '57 Topps. I've been doing a set for about three months now and I believe I have 130 of 154 and have only spent about $700 including Hornung, Lane, Berry and many HOF stars. All are EX-MT to NM with only a handful EX. I was surpised by the nice condition that is available for this set. The Starr and Unitas, of course, are going to end up costing what ALL the rest combined cost but you know that going in. It's popular so resale will be good, it looks great, has many stars. Why NOT this set?

perkdog · March 10, 2008 7:28AM

I asked myself this same question many times before Ryan and Stown got me into the Vintage Football so the route I went was to pick up several cards from each set. Personally I have a hard time chosing my favorite set, although the 52 Bowman Large is my favorite when it comes down to it but there is zero chance of me ever being able to complete that set in NM+! I love the variety of my collection and never get tired of a set this way. Just my 2 cents, best of luck with whatever you chose and have fun!

Blackborder · March 10, 2008 8:12AM

<< hatter! >>

Brick · March 10, 2008 9:59AM

PM sent

2dueces · March 10, 2008 10:19AM

I'm about 40 cards into the 59 set in PSA 5-8. It's a great set and most cards are very reasonable. Quite a few HOFer's (Brown, Starr, Unitas, Horning, Gifford, Kramer etc) and the colors are fantastic.

My favorite sets are 1966 Topps complete with a few graded stars checklists and HOFer's.

Also a great set is the 1963 Fleer. Only 89 cards so it's very do able under a grand raw. Some pretty good HOF rookie cards in there.

Alworth, Bounticonti and Dawson. HOFer and AFL stars, Kemp, Mix ,Otto and Maynard and an impossible to find centered checlist. It's a great set.

So there you have my 3 choices. You can't go wrong with any of them.

originalisbest · March 10, 2008 10:52AM

All great ideas -- I really enjoy the '58s.

Which Vintage FB set?

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