1952 Topps Set
 

How hard is it to put together a low grade set?
Obviously I know where the mantle trades. What about difficulty of the rest of set?

Tony Bartirome will be expensive/difficult because someone is hoarding them.

Putting the high #s (311-407) together is a gargantuan task. Let alone the rest of the set. Better have a bankroll.

There are a bunch of good threads in here on the 1952 set. There are numerous collectors of the set on the board. Several collectors have opted to just do a low number set through 310. Several are pursuing master type sets that can number close to 600 cards depending on your definition of a master set. Agree with Dan above that a full 411 base set is expensive given the cost of the Mantle and other high series cards. There are also some Topps reprints of the 1952 set from 1983

I was wondering if anyone did a low number set.
Interesting.

Thanks!!

Me- finishing cards are in transit.

I know several collectors that are only collecting the low numbers since the hi numbers are so expensive, even in low grade.

The 1983 Topps 1952 reprint set is very nice. I have one and enjoy looking at it as much as I would a real one.:)

The base set is easy to buy/find it is just a matter of having the cash. The only rarity would be condition.

Low grade not hard at all. Aside from the 332 mentioned. Best is buying large lots and trading and or selling

Figure the High numbered commons will cost $60-100 each in Good to VG condition.

The 1983 reprint set -- which is indeed very nice -- is older now (35 years) than the 1952 set was (31 years) when the reprint set came out.

Thanks George. I was around for both so this makes me feel old twice :)

I think going to tackle the 1951 bowman first.
My impression is the high cards are more doable.

You got that right - low grade 52T high commons go for nearly a magnitude more than 51B highs in cost though I suspect that is mostly a reflection of the popularity of the Topps cards rather than the scarcity which I suspect is similar. And, each set has a pair of RCs in the high series that'll really set you back a bit financially.

I think the giant size picture cards really pop, though 51 bowman has its winning shots. Mays and mantle horizontal!

Nothing to really add to what has already been said, but I am slowly working away at the set.
High numbers are pricey and that is likely the reason why I'll never finish it, but I still enjoy adding to it when I can.
Good luck with your 51 collecting. :)

I was breezing along with the 1951 Bowman set until Mays / Mantle. I still need these two cards for the set, and no help in sight! Good luck and bring $$$$$$.

The best advice I ever received was to buy the expensive cards early, if not first. There are many “near sets” out there that will never be completed.

Hard to do, but once done, the rest is a piece of cake.

Bill

That is what I usually try to do.

The first time I put the set together, I did 1-310 first and then the high numbers and Mantle last. If I did it again, I would start with Mantle, then Mathews, Campy and Mays. Then other high number Hofers and stars and then finish 312-407 before I even bothered with buying any other low numbers.

I’m doing a low number low to mid grade set.
Generally cards cost anywhere from $3-$5 at this level. You can find most of the stars for around $20-$30 or less. Mays would be more, but they aren’t too rare.
The only way I’d do the high numbers is if I won the lottery or wound up with a Mantle somehow.
Quite frankly, this is the only set I’ve seen where lots generally sell for as much per card as singles do.