I need help choosing a new set to collect. -I HAVE DECIDED!

scoutsout47 · April 15, 2009 4:27AM

Hey guys,

I'm currently working on a couple of prewar sets, but those have been slow-going and I need something to keep me interested in the meantime. I'd like to begin work on a vintage baseball set that meets the following parameters:

1. Is small in size -- preferably under 100 cards, though I'd prefer something much smaller.
2. Major League issue -- no Mothers Cookies or '52 Parkhurst Baseball.
3. Available in affordable VG to EX condition (most commons going for as much as $30 to $50).
4. Ranging from 1930 to1955.
5. B&W or color, but no hand-cut or perforated issues.
6. Large or small is fine, just as long as it fits into a traditional PSA slab.

That said, if any of you have been working on something similar now, or in the past, please lend me some suggestions to keep me going while I'm waiting to land the next '15 Cracker Jack. One set that has caught my eye was the 1954 Red Heart featured below. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

cwazzy · April 15, 2009 4:33AM

I love the '54 Red Heart set. If money wasn't an issue I would recomend the '54 Wilson Frank set. That is the one vintage set that I would buy if I had money.

Chris

Edited to say good luck with whatever you decide!

purduepete · April 15, 2009 4:35AM

What about Red Man Tobacco cards from 52-55?

scoutsout47 · April 15, 2009 4:37AM

I, too, really like the '54 Wilson Franks, but those things are friggen expensive! I had to rule that set out, but there are plenty of others, I'm sure. The Red Hearts look affordable, and it even has a nice Mantle.

scoutsout47 · April 15, 2009 4:40AM

I considered the Red Man cards, but their off-size cut has turned me against them. I'm looking for something large or small, just as long as it fits into a traditional PSA slab. I love those colors, though.

cwazzy · April 15, 2009 4:40AM

I've also always liked the Berk Ross sets. I don't know why but they have always appealed to me. Although they probably don't fit your collecting interests.

Chris

scoutsout47 · April 15, 2009 4:43AM

The Berk Ross are certainly affordable enough, but they look a bit dingy to me. That set is also chalked full of great hofer cards, but they look hand cut and/or perforated.

MrVintage · April 15, 2009 4:54AM

How about 1941 playball or 1934 Diamond Stars? Both sets are around 100 cards and commons can be had for reasonable prices.

cwazzy · April 15, 2009 4:55AM

They are perforated cards and I know exactly what you mean about looking dingy. What about 1953 Bowman B&W? There are some decent looking cards in that set and it isn't very expensive, although I prefer color sets.

Chris

PS Just tell me to shut the hell up if you are tired of my suggestions.

stown · April 15, 2009 4:58AM

+1 on the Red Heart series. I only need 5 cards (Bell, Cox, Kell, Kiner, and Minuso) but it's been on the back burner for a while.

Here's a checklist with Beckett prices from a year or two ago, followed by SMR:

1 Richie Ashburn SP $40.00 $80.00 40 65 115 325 1500
2 Frank Baumholtz SP $15.00 $40.00 20 30 50 135 410
3 Gus Bell $15.00 $30.00 20 30 50 135 410
4 Billy Cox $20.00 $40.00 20 30 50 135 410
5 Alvin Dark $17.50 $35.00 20 30 50 135 410
6 Carl Erskine SP $30.00 $60.00 25 40 80 250 850
7 Ferris Fain $17.50 $35.00 20 30 50 135 410
8 Dee Fondy $15.00 $30.00 20 30 50 135 410
9 Nellie Fox $40.00 $80.00 30 45 85 275 875
10 Jim Gilliam $20.00 $40.00 25 35 75 200 750
11 Jim Hegan SP $30.00 $60.00 20 30 50 135 410
12 George Kell $25.00 $50.00 30 45 85 275 875
13 Ralph Kiner SP $40.00 $80.00 35 50 85 275 875
14 Ted Kluszewski SP $40.00 $80.00 30 45 85 275 875
15 Harvey Kuenn $20.00 $40.00 20 30 50 135 410
16 Bob Lemon SP $30.00 $60.00 30 45 90 300 900
17 Sherman Lollar $17.50 $35.00 20 30 50 135 410
18 Mickey Mantle $250.00 $500.00 275 390 550 1100 3850-
19 Billy Martin $25.00 $50.00 35 55 95 310 950
20 Gil McDougald SP $20.00 $50.00 25 40 75 250 850
21 Roy McMillan $17.50 $35.00 20 30 50 135 410
22 Minnie Minoso $25.00 $50.00 25 35 70 175 650
23 Stan Musial SP $200.00 $400.00 150 225 385 1000 6000
24 Billy Pierce $17.50 $35.00 20 30 50 135 410
25 Al Rosen SP $30.00 $60.00 25 40 75 250 850
26 Hank Sauer $17.50 $35.00 20 30 50 135 410
27 Red Schoendienst SP$40.00 $80.00 30 45 90 300 900
28 Enos Slaughter $25.00 $50.00 30 45 75 225 750
29 Duke Snider $75.00 $150.00 55 85 155 400 1400
30 Warren Spahn $30.00 $60.00 50 75 125 350 1100
31 Sammy White $15.00 $30.00 20 30 50 135 410
32 Eddie Yost $15.00 $30.00 20 30 50 135 410
33 Gus Zernial $17.50 $35.00 20 30 50 135 410

storm888 · April 15, 2009 5:01AM

"...set that has caught my eye was the 1954 Red Heart featured below. ..."

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So far, ALL good suggestions.

I think I would go for the Red Heart.

cwazzy · April 15, 2009 5:06AM

I didn't realize that set was as affordable in midgrade as it is. And it is loaded with HOFers! I may have to look into this after my Campy set is done.

Chris

scoutsout47 · April 15, 2009 5:06AM

No way, Chris, keep 'em comin'!

scoutsout47 · April 15, 2009 5:10AM

Well, if storm has chimed in and offered his tacit approval for my earlier suggestion -- the 1954 Red Heart set -- then I must have made a pretty good choice. Red Heart, it is! Now, should I look for raw pick-ups, and go straight for the low to mid-grade PSA slabs? Graded cards would be the better investment, although I'd be deprived of the excitement gained from awaiting poppage. Dang, this is tougher than I thought it would be. I need to lie down...lol.

cwazzy · April 15, 2009 5:14AM

I think that is a great choice. I'm not one to build sets but I think I may have to seriously look into this set. I love the Musial and Schoendienst cards! And it's one of the cheaper early Mantles out there!

Chris

storm888 · April 15, 2009 5:17AM

I would buy them already graded.

If you buy them raw - especially on EBAY - you could
end up with a fair percentage that will not make into
a slab for one reason or another.

OTOH, if you could find an old guy with a set - or almost
a set - that was raw, it would likely be pretty safe.

scoutsout47 · April 15, 2009 6:28AM

Thanks, storm. I'll try for PSA 5 across the board, which should keep my set free from any dogs, and I'll post some pics once I've purchased the first few cards. Thanks, fellas.

onebamafan · April 15, 2009 6:58AM

Best of luck to you.

baseballjeff · April 15, 2009 9:35AM

Callahan's are an awesome set based on your parameters, just stay away from one particular seller who has an obsessive problem of buying EVERY single Callahan. So if you can get your set flying under his radar, you'll do it just fine. PM me if you want more info, I don't like to bad mouth people so I won't do it in a public forum.

But the Callahan set is a BLAST! And lots of good history about each player you get. And, they are all HOFers!

Jeff

I need help choosing a new set to collect. -I HAVE DECIDED!

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