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-   -   Looking for a small set to collect. Suggestions? (http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=251156)

Slinger 02-10-2018 09:37 PM

Looking for a small set to collect. Suggestions?
 
I am looking for ideas on short sets/subsets that I can collect that are pre 1970. Age doesn't matter as long as it's 69 and earlier. Pre or Post War makes no difference to me.

Looking for sets of 10-20-30 cards or so. Those are easier for me to realistically complete. Like the Topps Game and Deckle for example. Sets in the hundreds are just too much at this time.

Also looking for cards to be regular/standard size OR smaller, so no large cards please. (I don't like trying to store oversized cards at this time)

Thanks for all the ideas and pointers. I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge here on this forum! I am learning daily.


UPDATED:
So far, the suggestions are as follows that I am considering (keep em coming):

1909 E95 (25 cards)
1910 E93 (30)
1932 US Caramel (32)
1933 DeLong (24)
1936 Goudey (25)
1948 Bowman (48)
1954 Red Heart (33)
1960 Bazooka (36)
1961 Golden Press (33)
1968 Topps 3-D (12)
1969 Nabisco Team Flakes (24)
1969 Topps Super (66)

jfkheat 02-10-2018 10:10 PM

Have you thought about one of the subsets within the regular Topps sets? I did the 1960s Topps All Star subsets. There are other subsets in quite a few regular sets. There is also the 33 card 1954 Red Heart Dog Food set.
James

Jenx34 02-10-2018 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slinger (Post 1746983)
I am looking for ideas on short sets/subsets that I can collect that are pre 1970. Age doesn't matter as long as it's 69 and earlier. Pre or Post War makes no difference to me.

Looking for sets of 10-20-30 cards or so. Those are easier for me to realistically complete. Like the Topps Game and Deckle for example. Sets in the hundreds are just too much at this time.

Thanks for all the ideas and pointers. I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge here on this forum! I am learning daily.

I have most of the '68 Topps Game set including some duplicates. Off the top of my head, I think Hank Aaron is the only major star I don't have. Condition on them varies. The best is probably Mantle and it is on its way to PSA as I type. The others are raw and again, condition varies. Let me know if you'd like to see some.

Chris

hcv123 02-10-2018 10:14 PM

Not sure about budget, but.......
 
The 1968 Topps 3-D set is small (12 cards) and Stunning!

1967 Pirates and Red Sox Stickers

Neal 02-10-2018 10:15 PM

1954 Red Heart is a nice looking set - 33 cards with some 50s star power. Arguably the best looking Mantle ever made

Some other ideas would be all-star sets, 1961 MVPs, or 1968 Topps Game

TheNightmanCometh 02-10-2018 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfkheat (Post 1746988)
Have you thought about one of the subsets within the regular Topps sets? I did the 1960s Topps All Star subsets. There are other subsets in quite a few regular sets. There is also the 33 card 1954 Red Heart Dog Food set.
James

If I wasn't so Braves focused, I would totally do a 1964 Topps team card subset run. The colors pop really nice on those bad boys.

Bigdaddy 02-10-2018 11:39 PM

I'll second the 54 Redheart set.

Also, the '64 Topps Giants set. Awesome photos and very reasonably priced. You can pick up a Mantle for <$40. I'm currently working on an autographed set of these, though I doubt I'll ever complete it.

And don't overlook the Fleer Ted Williams set.

Slinger 02-10-2018 11:44 PM

Man I love this forum. You guys are great!

I'm going to look into the:

54 Red Heart
68 Topps 3-D

The 59 Fleer Williams set and the 64 Giants set will be for further down the road. Too big a card count that I want to chase at the moment.

Thanks for all the advice and keep em coming!!

jasonc 02-11-2018 05:01 AM

You could always do your favorite team? If they won the world series that year, that could be a particular year. Just a suggestion.

Good Luck

robkas68 02-11-2018 05:25 AM

small sets
 
The all-star sub-sets are great since you are get just stars and hofers and they are very cheap. I actually have two for sale 1969 and 1970 right now for under $100. The late 60's all stars you can put together for $100 to $200 in decent shape and I sold a 1959 all-star set for about $350 a few months ago. Deckle Edge and Topps game card are pretty easy too.

If you want a bigger challenge, 1964 Stand Ups. Also 1941 Play Ball is only 72 cards. It is going to cost you a few thousand dollars because of Dimaggio and Williams, but it is a set you can put together in months rather than years.

savedfrommyspokes 02-11-2018 05:56 AM

The 1961 Golden Press set containing 33 cards is one of my favorite small sets from the 60s as it is loaded with HOFers, both pre and post war.

jason.1969 02-11-2018 06:38 AM

1958 Topps all-star aubset is one of the best. Displays really nicely too. But yes, if the Mantle doesn't scare you off, Red Heart is a great choice.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

pokerplyr80 02-11-2018 07:38 AM

When I saw the title I thought 41 play ball. It's more than 30 cards, but less than 100 and you have a pretty cool complete set.

Slinger 02-11-2018 08:12 AM

So far I am considering (may end up doing a few of them or even all of them eventually):

54 Red Heart
61 Golden Press
68 Topps 3-D

Thanks for the Play Ball and Stand Up suggestions. I want to start with the smaller sets first. Thanks to you all and if there are any more, send em my way.

I saw 1909 E95 and 1932 US Caramel too as possibilities. :)

jason.1969 02-11-2018 08:22 AM

You may wanna take a look at the checklist and prices on the 3D. Other than Clemente, which will cost you an absolute mint, the player selection isn't great. Tony Perez is the only other HOFer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slinger (Post 1747061)
So far I am considering (may end up doing a few of them or even all of them eventually):

54 Red Heart
61 Golden Press
68 Topps 3-D

Thanks for the Play Ball and Stand Up suggestions. I want to start with the smaller sets first. Thanks to you all and if there are any more, send em my way.

I saw 1909 E95 and 1932 US Caramel too as possibilities. :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

Slinger 02-11-2018 08:26 AM

Thanks Jason.

MCoxon 02-11-2018 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy (Post 1747002)
I'll second the 54 Redheart set.

Also, the '64 Topps Giants set. Awesome photos and very reasonably priced. You can pick up a Mantle for <$40. I'm currently working on an autographed set of these, though I doubt I'll ever complete it.

And don't overlook the Fleer Ted Williams set.

3rd vote for 1954 Red heart.

I‘d also consider
1. 1969 topps deckle edge (Mays, Clemente, Gibson, Yaz, Brooks)
2. 1967 topps pinups
3. 1963 fleer. Small-ish, with good stars (Clemente, Mays, Koufax, Brooks)

ALR-bishop 02-11-2018 08:55 AM

[QUOTE=jason.1969;1747067]You may wanna take a look at the checklist and prices on the 3D. Other than Clemente, which will cost you an absolute mint, the player selection isn't great. Tony Perez is the only other HOFer.

You can add one HOFer and an extra card if you include the Robinson Prototype ;). It is my favorite Topps set, but it is pricey and some cards are easy to find and others not so much. There are 3 proof cards too, but no major stars there either. As far as I know, Topps did not produce that type 3D card again until 2011 as a sub group of their Lineage offering.

Slinger 02-11-2018 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCoxon (Post 1747081)
3rd vote for 1954 Red heart.

I‘d also consider
1. 1969 topps deckle edge (Mays, Clemente, Gibson, Yaz, Brooks)
2. 1967 topps pinups
3. 1963 fleer. Small-ish, with good stars (Clemente, Mays, Koufax, Brooks)

I'm already doing 69 Deckle. Thanks for that.

Adding 67 pinups to the list of possibles for sure! :)

ALR-bishop 02-11-2018 09:02 AM

Probably bigger than you want but pretty easy to complete at a reasonable price, depending on condition... the 1963 Fleer set. Several stars and neat design.

jfkheat 02-11-2018 09:03 AM

Are you planning to do graded sets. If so, what grades? I am working or have completed several of the sets mentioned here. Like you, I don't want to do a set with hundreds of cards. My biggest set is the 77 card 1964 Topps Stand-up. I need 7 or 8 cards to finish it.
James

Peter_Spaeth 02-11-2018 09:13 AM

One of the Topps Supers sets. Great player selection, beautiful unusual cards. And pretty cheap.

Slinger 02-11-2018 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfkheat (Post 1747091)
Are you planning to do graded sets. If so, what grades? I am working or have completed several of the sets mentioned here. Like you, I don't want to do a set with hundreds of cards. My biggest set is the 77 card 1964 Topps Stand-up. I need 7 or 8 cards to finish it.
James

Yea I only collect graded cards. Or buy raw and grade. Everything that I keep ends up graded then into the safe.

Due to cost, smaller sets seem easier to accomplish in a semi timely manner for me personally.

As far as grades, I go with that I feel like I can afford prior to starting the set.

almostdone 02-11-2018 11:18 AM

1 Attachment(s)
Not sure what place in line I’ll be with my strong suggestion of the 54 Red Heart but I highly recommend it.

I’ve built a few sets both small and large and the Red Heart was my favorite by far.

As mentioned there are only 33 cards in the set but 11 are Hall Of Famers giving it a 1 of 3 retail which as far as I’ve found if the best HOFer ratio in any vintage set.

When I built this set I focused on card appearance overall since I did it raw. The only two cards that cost more than $100 were the Mantle and the Musial. That being said it made it affordable overall. The entire set cost less than $1000.

You can build it quickly since they aren’t so rare you have to wait forever to have a card pop up or you can be more selective and draw it out. It took me about two years to get the example of each card I wanted for the prices I was willing to spend.

The last point on it is it’s one of the only sets I know of that can be displayed in its entirety if you so desire. To see them all at once with the three distict background colors makes this set really pop in my opinion.

Anyway, whichever set you choose love doing it and it won’t be the wrong choice.

Good luck!

Drew

Slinger 02-11-2018 11:23 AM

Awesome perspective and picture Drew! It does pop. Wow.

MCoxon 02-11-2018 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth (Post 1747096)
One of the Topps Supers sets. Great player selection, beautiful unusual cards. And pretty cheap.

I really agree with this - the Topps Super sets are beautiful, especially the 1970 and 1971. I know you said pre-1970, Nick, but these 2 supers sets are beautiful and have nearly all the 60s era stars like Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Gibson, plus early cards of the great 70s players like Bench, Rose, Jackson, Seaver

Slinger 02-11-2018 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCoxon (Post 1747150)
I really agree with this - the Topps Super sets are beautiful, especially the 1970 and 1971. I know you said pre-1970, Nick, but these 2 supers sets are beautiful and have nearly all the 60s era stars like Mays, Aaron, Clemente, Gibson, plus early cards of the great 70s players like Bench, Rose, Jackson, Seaver


I'll take a look. Thanks for the advice. :)

bobsbbcards 02-11-2018 12:45 PM

Don't give up on the '69 Topps Super set either. Much better looking (IMHO) than the ginormous '70 and '71 cards and if my history is correct, 1969 comes before 1970. :cool:

1969 Topps Supers

rats60 02-11-2018 01:01 PM

The 1969 Super Set is one of the most beautiful sets ever made, but a little pricey. The 1970 set at 42 cards would be a good choice.

jfkheat 02-11-2018 01:20 PM

Here is the link to my Red Heart set. All cards are graded PSA 8 or higher.
James

https://www.psacard.com/psasetregist...shedset/203939

MCoxon 02-11-2018 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rats60 (Post 1747175)
The 1969 Super Set is one of the most beautiful sets ever made, but a little pricey. The 1970 set at 42 cards would be a good choice.

Yep - that’s why i specifically suggested 1970 and 1971. The 1969 is a (somewhat) different animal.

CobbSpikedMe 02-11-2018 02:25 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I really like the 1969 Nabisco Team Flakes set. It's only 24 cards and has plenty of star power. Tough to find in high grade though. I like the yellow borders to still be intact on them personally. Just another suggestion for something different.

AndyH

hcv123 02-11-2018 04:51 PM

difficulty and budget
 
Do you tend to like sets that are a challenge to assemble? If so, consider the Kahn's weiners sets from 1956-1960 as well.

Slinger 02-11-2018 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hcv123 (Post 1747244)
Do you tend to like sets that are a challenge to assemble? If so, consider the Kahn's weiners sets from 1956-1960 as well.

I saw those whole trying to dig for stuff to collect. Due to the set size they interested me. They are a tough didn't though huh?

I'm a long term guy in all that I do. So I don't mind taking a while. I just have a hard time collecting 700+ cards for a set. That would take me a decade. As I only keep PSA graded cards. It's time consuming and money intensive.

brian1961 02-11-2018 06:07 PM

Hiya, Nick. The guys have loaded you up with some fabulous suggestions. As you check out the lists of who comprises each set, please go for the set that seems to have the most players you admire, as well as the set design that attracts your eye the most.

Since you prefer graded cards, that tells me you really care about your whole project---long-term and when it comes time to part with them. Please, I'm not inferring the journey is unimportant; it's probably most important. With graded cards, you're getting your money's worth and nothing bogus, and can even make money long-term.

Another idea----collect one card from each of these sets mentioned that you like. Research each set and see if the background story behind any of them piques your fancy. A further idea----there's a guy on here who wrote a book about smaller sets that were regionally-issued and/or with food products. Entitled NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, the title hints at a stark aspect of their history----they were relatively expensive to acquire during the year they were issued. In the ensuing years, they seemed to appreciate in value as more and more collectors began to appreciate their beauty, background story, and built-in scarcity.

It wouldn't be right if I failed to mention that I wrote the book, and that it's an E-book on a CD. At 478 pages, the thirty bucks it costs you gives you a ton of information and stories. If I was seriously going to collect one of the sets featured in the book, I'd owe it to myself to buy it and read up on as much as I could find out about the set. Of course, if the casual collector just wants to know the basic facts, and price guidelines, we have price guides for that. NEVER is not a price guide. 'Nuf said on that.

If your favorite era is pre-war, then I love the 1961 Golden Press Hall of Fame. If the 50s causes your heart to flutter most, then the 1954 Red Heart Dog Food has got the goods! If the early 60s is a prime period for you, those 1964 Topps Giant All-Stars are beautiful, big, and reasonably cheap. If the idea of a Topps test issue really moves you, those 1969 Topps Super Baseball cards are sheer beauty. Though much smaller than the very thick, large Topps Super issues of 1970-71, the 1969 Topps Super were called "Super" due to their super glossy surfaces. But watch out, the super glossy surface was fragile, and thumbnails marred and grooved them easily. I would go for PSA 8 NM-MT. The only down side is that there is a preponderance of head shots, and some re-uses of the photos used by Topps on their regular-issue cards (examples are Tom Seaver and Reggie Jackson). Still, these have a nice variety of poses.

Go with your heart, Nick. Here's wishing you the best, my fellow collecting warrior.

---Brian Powell

Slinger 02-11-2018 06:27 PM

Great info Brian and thank you!!

You mention the 50/60/70s ideas. Have any suggestions for the 1900s-1940s?

rats60 02-11-2018 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slinger (Post 1747271)
Great info Brian and thank you!!

You mention the 50/60/70s ideas. Have any suggestions for the 1900s-1940s?

1933 Delong would be a great set. Only 24 cards, but 15 Hall of Famers including Lou Gehrig. e93 Standard Caramel has 30 cards with 18 Hall of Famers including Cobb and Wagner.

jason.1969 02-11-2018 06:58 PM

I'll second the DeLong suggestion. My two cards from that set (Klein, Simmons) are two of my favorite cards.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk

Slinger 02-11-2018 07:04 PM

Thanks for the 33 Delong and e93 ideas guys! Appreciate it :)

Rich Klein 02-11-2018 07:42 PM

48 Bowman, only 48 cards and lots of great players!

brian1961 02-11-2018 07:46 PM

Nick, I came back on and read your question regarding 1900-1940s. The two sets that came to my mind before reading the other posts after mine were also the 1933 DeLong, and if you want 1910 era, the 1910 Washington Times. Be forewarned, the Washington Times are deadly rare, and very expensive. Not for the casual deep pockets, but only for the well-fixed collecting warrior. We have someone on here that discovered them, and has been hunting them down card by card. The Ty Cobb is a priceless gem, one of Ty's most beautiful cards.

Back to the DeLong. The set has but 24, but there's a preponderance of great stars. They are beautiful all day long! The DeLongs was the first set collected by pioneer collector Lionel Carter, who found them very enchanting when he bought and collected them in their year of issue, 1933. His favorite card was that of Pepper Martin. The design of Pepper, known as The Wild Horse of the Osage, was pure genius. He drove the A's nuts with his base-running in the 1931 World Series, and his DeLong card has him sliding home in a spectacular horizontal pose.

Perfection.

The cards are kinda thin, but in a PSA / SGC holder, they are resplendent and hefty in the hand.

Gotta go spend time with my family, bro.

Bye. ----Brian Powell

JollyElm 02-11-2018 07:47 PM

Here's a bit of a curveball (pun intended) for you. If you are into errors and variations at all, you can pick a year like 1966, 1967 or 1969 and just collect the 'official' variations from that set. They would be small sets with a bunch of cards really tough to come by.

Slinger 02-11-2018 08:04 PM

More great advice and sets to look into.

Through Brian that 1910 set will be outside of my current budget. Maybe one day. :)

RaidonCollects 02-12-2018 03:35 AM

Here are a few pre and post war sets that are not massively difficult to complete.

1936 Goudey - Lots of nice cards with a few hall of famers. No super expensive cards. 25 cards in total.

1939 Goudey Premiums R303-B - Great set with loads of stars. DiMaggio and Feller may cost you a couple hundred. 24 cards

1954 Topps Scoops - If you only collect the baseball subset it comes down to only 4 cards. This isn't for everybody as its not really considered a complete set.

1953-55 Johnston Cookies - Three different sets. 1953 is the easiest to complete with no superstars and a 25 card checklist. 1954 has 35 cards including a hank aaron rookie that will cost you quite a bit. 1955 also has 35 cards with a more affordable early Aaron card.

Hope this helps,

Owen

Slinger 02-12-2018 06:56 AM

Great suggestions Owen! Thanks for all the advice!

ALR-bishop 02-12-2018 07:09 AM

and if my history is correct, 1969 comes before 1970. :cool:


Except in the Matrix

baseballfan 02-12-2018 07:11 AM

1964 topps Giants

60 card set but great pics and stars

Slinger 02-12-2018 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baseballfan (Post 1747355)
1964 topps Giants

60 card set but great pics and stars

That is a good looking set! Though in PSA holders, how/where do you store these things as a complete set? That's a drawback for me. My other graded cards are in those overpriced PSA boxes. Lol

darkhorse9 02-12-2018 01:57 PM

I'll go real off-the wall..What about the 1943 M.P. & Co.

Over half the set is Hal Of Famers, but they're super cheap and it's pretty much the only Major League set that was produced DURING World War II


Of course there's the whole "they're ugly as sin" thing", but......

Slinger 02-12-2018 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse9 (Post 1747451)
I'll go real off-the wall..What about the 1943 M.P. & Co.

Over half the set is Hal Of Famers, but they're super cheap and it's pretty much the only Major League set that was produced DURING World War II


Of course there's the whole "they're ugly as sin" thing", but......

Hot dog those things are ugly! Lol. Cool little set but......I dunno. Lol. Gonna have to let that marinate a bit.


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