What is the best way to sell a set?
 

I am looking to sell my 1953,1954,1955,1956 Topps baseball sets. What would be the best way to sell these to gain the most profit? Would it be better to sell the stars individually and then do small lots of the commons, or would I gain more from selling as a complete set. The sets are in collectors grade with just a couple graded cards in lower condition.

As a general rule, the sum of the parts are greater than the whole. I.E. you'd make more money selling individually.

However, the lower grade the set, the narrower the gap in value between selling individually or complete becomes.

If the sets are uniform VG or worse, I would think it's probably just as well to sell it complete.

I'd sell those specific cards/sets individually (set break), but Robert is right- typically best to break up high grade and sell lower grade together (I think '50's Topps and earlier popular sets to be exceptions)

Depends on how much time and effort you want to put into the process. Sorting, packaging, mailing individual cards or small lots takes time and will cut into your profits. Those sets are popular and should sell pretty quickly either way though.

I sold over 150 T205 cards, singly and at one time, on our BST and it worked great. As said, it just takes some time but I couldn't have been happier with the outcome.

I would say that since the majority of these cards in collector's grade condition (VG to EX?) are only $1-3 each on the market, selling as a complete set may be best. Or sell to guys like Vintage Breaks or Blowout who can turn it into a set break and do all the legwork piecing out and mailing the entire set to hundreds of buyers.
Normally I would suggest COMC, but not for complete sets like this.