The early 60s Fleer sets: High grade or bust?

[HRBAKER]

I feel your pain.
I got so tired of trying to find nice mid-grade '63 Fleers that I just bit the bullet and bought a set.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

I feel your pain.
I got so tired of trying to find nice mid-grade '63 Fleers that I just bit the bullet and bought a set.

Sweet cards! It is a surprisingly frustrating hunt. I may either buy a set like you did or build a high grade slabbed one I guess.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[jefferyepayne]

I haven't noticed this myself but it's certainly possible. I put the 1963 Fleer set together raw in mid grade a few years ago. While it took some time to find all of the cards, it is definitely doable if you are patient. I probably worked on it for 4-5 years off an on before I completed it.

The other Fleer sets I purchased as complete sets so don't know how difficult they are to put together. From looking at my notes I see there were numerous raw complete sets for 1960, 1961, and 1962 that sold on ebay during the several year period I was working to acquire these so there are definitely mid grade cards out there.

It is definitely true that when you go to a show and go to dealer tables who have football binders that you will see a lot more binders of raw cards for Bowman and Topps than you will for Fleer. This might be an indication that what you are seeing is legit.

jeff

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

I haven't noticed this myself but it's certainly possible. I put the 1963 Fleer set together raw in mid grade a few years ago. While it took some time to find all of the cards, it is definitely doable if you are patient. I probably worked on it for 4-5 years off an on before I completed it.

The other Fleer sets I purchased as complete sets so don't know how difficult they are to put together. From looking at my notes I see there were numerous raw complete sets for 1960, 1961, and 1962 that sold on ebay during the several year period I was working to acquire these so there are definitely mid grade cards out there.

It is definitely true that when you go to a show and go to dealer tables who have football binders that you will see a lot more binders of raw cards for Bowman and Topps than you will for Fleer. This might be an indication that what you are seeing is legit.

jeff

Jeff, thanks for your input. I was hoping to hear from you. I am starting to think if I am to have the '63 set (or maybe even the '62), I will be saving up and purchasing the set or at least a large partial. So far, it sounds like you guys are seeing some of what I am seeing in terms of 60s Fleer availability.