Topps Venezuelans
 

Haven't noticed a thread recently on the Topps Venezuelan cards, so I thought I'd start one. I'm interested in learning information other members may have about the various issues. One bit of info I can offer is that, from my experience, 1959's and 1960's are much rarer than the other years. A distant third in terms of rarity is the 1968 issue followed by 1962. Finally, the 1964 and 1966 are the easiest. This, of course, leaves out the 1967 issue which is a different animal, which I won't address. Again, please post interesting bits of information, especially you Josh. Look forward to hearing from everyone.

Thanks,
Craig

I have always been confused about the 1972 Venz Stamps Are they a topps issue ? How can you tell the real from the fake ? What is the correct font for the names on the front of the card? Thick/heavy/ bold or less heavy thinner type ?

I really like the 1959s and I have some. The 1968 and 1964 are also really nice. I also like the 1962s, the 1966 and 1967 I stay away from.

Venies
 

The person with the most expertise I know, Josh A, posts occasionally on this board. I think he has all of the sets, or close to it. I will ask him to drop in

http://net54baseball.com/showthread....pps+venezuelan

I do have them all from 1959-1968 and can say definitively that the 1967 MLB portion of that set (150 total cards) is the most difficult to assemble. 1959 had been very tough until recently when Larry Sarver discovered a contact in Caracas who consigns lower grade cards to him on the regular. He has had quite a few of the high numbers available over the past couple years.

1968 has a couple cards that are extremely rare for unknown reasons. The 3rd checklist in the 1962 set seems to be the toughest of that set. No true card scarcities exist in 1960, 1964 & 1966.

If the goal was just to build a set in any condition, then you are absolutely correct, your best bet would be 1964 & 1966. While they may seem like less of a challenge compared to the rest, those are both monster sets of 370, and if you wanted only cards without evidence of glue or other common major flaws (writing, rat-gnawed corners, tape), I suspect it would be a bear to build either set from scratch right now with better than an average grade of VG.

Personally, I think the overall "easiest" of the sets to build in decent condition is 1960. The cards don't have glue problems. The stars are limited, the Mantle/Boyer & Yaz are super tough because of the competition for rare star items, but even they can be found occasionally. Hardly anyone is working on one, so there is almost no competition or market for commons.

My favorite set of all of them is the 1967 full set. I think it is absolutely spectacular. The Venezuelan league cards are mostly gorgeous, some have amazing backdrops. The Retirado cards are as unique of a creation the hobby has ever seen. And the MLB portion is shrouded with mystique and unbelievable scarcity for a post-war issue.

The "king" has spoken
 

I defer to Josh as he is MUCH more knowledgeable than I. I will chime in with my experience:

I have collected Venezuelan cards for about 20 years now. I have predominantly been after the HOFers and big stars. A special focus on Clemente :) As far as Clemente goes - the 1967 card is far and away the most scarce. PSA has graded only 6 copies - 2-5's, a 3 and 3 1's. I have seen half of them. I have had my eye out for it for the better part of the last 20 years and only seen the 3 referenced above. After that I would say the 1968 is the next most difficult, followed by the 1968 #3 leaders card and 1968 Pirates team card, then 1968 #1 leaders card. Finding a 1962 would be next - at least 1 or 2 show up a year - nice condition - whole other ball game. lastly the 1962 leaders card and the 1966 ( relatively (for a Venezuelan) "common" ) and findable in mid grade.
I am grateful to own many of the cards I have sought. Some still on my want list:

1959 Mantle, Koufax
1964 Mantle
1967 Aaron
1968 Ryan, Rose, Seaver, Carew, Yaz, #3 leader card

I have a couple of extra Mays card to consider trading for any of the above

I don't collect Venezuelans unless there is Spanish text on the reverse or a different back. Typically, I also only collect clean backs. That makes the 1967 and 1964 sets my favorites. To date, has any packaging surfaced (wrappers, display boxes, etc.)? I collect Orioles team set sets and while it took a year of so to put together the 1964 and 1967 sets, the 1968 issue has been pretty much impossible. I'm probably very much in the minority, but the Retired cards from the 1967 don't do much for me. Guess I just don't like post-career cards. It is the first of its kind, though.

1994
 

In 1994 Topps produced a limited edition set that paralleled their basic set but had backs in both English and Spanish

Orioles1954 I agree competely with everything you said, however, I do love the 1959 with Spanish copyright text. I collect them if I can get them. 1962, 1964 and 1968 are my favorites. I feel the 1967 retired set is grossly overrated. You can't even touch the Koufax card. Well put my friend.

This is my only Venezuelan card. Bought it from a fellow member when he upgraded to a nicer one.