What vintage sets have you completed?

[1963Topps Set]

As a kid in the 1970s, I never considered completing a vintage set. It was a very intimidating task. Finally, in 1993, I completed the 1959 Topps set. There was no other feeling like it. Just thinking about it today gives be goosebumps!

I was thinking about the other sets I have been fortunate to complete.

What sets have you completed?

[rats60]

Originally Posted by 1963Topps Set

As a kid in the 1970s, I never considered completing a vintage set. It was a very intimidating task. Finally, in 1993, I completed the 1959 Topps set. There was no other feeling like it. Just thinking about it today gives be goosebumps!

I was thinking about the other sets I have been fortunate to complete.

What sets have you completed?

As a kid in the 70's, I mailed ordered cards to complete sets from 1958 forward. Most of those cards cost 1.00 or less.

[ALR-bishop]

Not sure how you intended vintage, and everyone defines it differently.

I have done all Topps sets from 1948 and 1951 through 2014. For Fleer I have done 1959 through 2007, and am working on 1923 Fleer

Rats-- from 1963 to 1967 I ordered Topps cards by series from the Card Collector's Company in Ny. Boy was it a blast to get those packages

[rats60]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Rats-- from 1963 to 1967 I ordered Topps cards by series from the Card Collector's Company in Ny. Boy was it a blast to get those packages

I bought them by the box starting in 1967 and would order the cards that I needed to finish them out. The only series that I ordered were 2 complete 7th series in 1967 because we never got them in our area, bought from Card Collectors Company, and 1 complete 1963 7th series, bought from Wholesale Card Co for $4.95.

[tonyo]

I started collecting as a kid in 72 but I don't think I ever completed a set till I finished a couple of sets in the 80's. Even though I had thousands of cards as a kid, I don't recall ever attempting to "get them all" Strange because I definitely consider myself a set collector these days.

Since I returned to collecting in aught-9, I've completed 52 bowman, t206 (to 520 which I'm calling complete), 33 goudey (minus Lajoie and Gehrig 160 which I'm calling complete), 73 topps, and also wrapped up the 72 topps that survived my purge in the early 90's.

All those sets in collector grade (g-vg) and small-lot-by-small-lot-piece-by-piece.

Only working on sub-sets at the moment. Not sure if I'll ever attempt another "complete set"

Tony

[jasonc]

Congrats to those that completed sets. Tony that is quite accomplishment to complete those sets in that amount of time.

I got back into collecting about 2 and a half years ago. The only vintage set I completed, collecting card by card or small groups was the 1956 topps set.
I bought a few 70's sets, but bought them as a complete set -- found out it's much more fun piecing together sets. It's like you have more of an attachment to the cards. I feel like I would never want to sell my 1956 set, but I kind of have an urge to sell a 70's set to help me with building my other projects. Haven't decided yet for sure, probably will keep them.

[ALR-bishop]

[1963Topps Set]

Can we go back to those prices? Great illustration and thanks for posting that. I did notice though that even in 1967, 1952 Topps high numbers were still expensive. Ironically, the company selling the cards was located in Franklin Square, New York which is one town over from me! I would of taken my bike over there everyday!!!

[ALR-bishop]

I think that 's $ 1 a piece, $90 for all

[1963Topps Set]

Yes, much higher then the pennies for the other cards.

[familytoad]

I have a similar story to TonyO, started collecting serious in 1972, but had some from earlier years.
I didn't realize that I had no full sets from the early seventies, I had thousands of cards, but I guess a few stragglers.
I've since finished most of them, and gone back to 1953 with my quest for Topps sets.
Complete:
1953
1954
1955
1959
1960
1962
1965
1970
1972
1973
1974
1977
1978
1979
1980

Many of the missing sets above, I need just a handful or less of cards (1957, 1958, 1964,1969, 1971, 1975, 1976)
I'm auditing all of my sets now since I recently bought a couple singles that I already had, and discovered holes in my binder for cards that I thought I owned.
My record keeping has been a little slack over the years I guess.

I think I need just 258 cards to complete the 1953-1980 Topps run, but that number could go up or down depending on my audit.
It's a lot of high number commons in the 60's

I want to get 9 cards off my list before the end of the year if possible. Something about needing less than 250 seems important (it's not)
I actually collect prewar cards with much greater passion, but I really want to finish the Topps run too!!

[bradmar48]

I got back into collecting baseball cards in 1975. I was one of the lucky one whose mom didn't throw my cards collected as a kid into the trash.

I've finished these sets.

1948 Bowman
All Topps sets from 1952 to 1962 except 1955 which for some reason
I've never wanted to start.
1959 Fleer
1963 Fleer
1960 Leaf
Complete run of Red Man tobacco from 1952 to 1955
Post Cereal from 1961 to 1963

I'm probably going to sale most in the next year and take my wife on that big vacation trip she's always wanted to take while we are both in good enough health to do it.

[Bigdaddy]

1960 Topps
1961 Topps
1966 Topps
1970 - 2012 Topps

Currently working on the 1954 Red Heart (only missing Mantle).

Next I'm thinking about 1956 or 1965 Topps baseball sets. After recently finishing the 1961 set, I need a break from peeling off the big $$ for Joe Schmoe's high# cards.

[Sean]

I completed the 1965 Topps set earlier this year. I had been missing only the Joe Nossek card for two years, and finally got one.

I've also completed the T206 to 522 cards, which is as far as I can go.

[paulcarek]

I've completed 1952 Bowman and 1934 Gold Medal Foods (not a huge set, but I like it). Currently about halfway through a 1956 Topps set.

[autograf]

1952 Low series 1-310 with 1-80 in RED and BLACK
1960
1961
1962 (bought complete set)
1968
1970
1971
1972

Single digit needs on
1956
1959
1963
1965

Pretty good start 50-70% on
1953 Bowman Color
1955 Bowman
1954
1955
1966

[steve B]

Only completed a set or a few depending on how you look at it.

48 Bowman in anywhere from below poor to around EX. Sold it to help pay for a ski trip. I'm only about 25% complete now and seldom make any progress. Maybe this year I'll try for 50%?

And a few that I completed but they weren't vintage when I did it.
79-80 Topps
81 Donruss

Steve B

[LeftHandedDane]

I collected as a teenager, and had completed sets from 1968 to 1980. At that time, my goal was to complete every set back to 1960 (my birth year). I was pretty short especially from all those tough high-number years.

When I got back into collecting about 5 years ago, I finally realized that dream, and started on another one - to complete all the post-war Topps, Bowman and Fleer series (to 1980). I put 52 Topps on hold, and as of now have finished all the other Topps years. Fleer is done (finally got the Ted Williams #68!) and I need 2 to complete 48 Bowman, 4 to complete 50 Bowman, and I still need about half of the 1949 Bowman set. After that I have to decide if I want to pursue the 52 Topps.

There is nothing like the feeling of getting that last card to complete a set - I can still remember the last one from just about every set I have filled. And it wasn't usually the Mantle or some other HOFer - usually just some tough high number.

[Republicaninmass]

Prewar

1911 t3 turkey red
Post war
1955 topps baseball

[NateMack]

I have completed all these Topps sets
1954
1955
1956
1958
1959
1960
1964
1966
1969
1972
1975
Many others after 1975

Working on with about 90% complete
1953
1957
1961
1965
1967 (biggest priority)
51 bowman
52 bowman


See below link for a list to get a trade going... Hint, hint....

[K-Nole]

Started collecting in 1978 then met my wife and wrongfully thought she was funner than cards as a teenager in 1993.

Then about 3 years ago, my then 10 year old son found that sports cards were cooler than Pokeman cards, which I then dusted off my collection.

Since then, it has been a labor of father n son love, putting sets together.

So far with him, we have done....

Baseball:
1971, then 1973 thru 1993

Football, 1959, 1967 philadelphia, & 1968 thru 1993 topps.

Currently we are working on 1970 topps baseball, then will start 1967 topps football after that is done.

I personally, like an earlier poster, like to collect pre war, but my son likes to do sets, so that is where most our time is spent.

[Tomman1961]

Al- I too ordered from Card Collectors Company in NY. I recall their ad for prices was something like commons were 5 cents. A card ending in a multiple of 5/10 was 10 cents. A double 00 was like 25 cents. I think I paid 25 cents for my Seaver, and a nickle for my Ryan?

[Tomman1961]

I am 53 years old. And started collecting hard right from the start in 1972. So I eventually completed Topps 1972 -2000. I stopped buying anything new in 2000.
Along the way I completed these, and in this order, and the reasons why:
1955: Liked the Horizontal design and larger size. About EX condition.
1961: Year I was born. Not one of my favorite looking sets. I cherry picked cards like crazy. Finished it in 1984. Condition would be PSA 7 all across. All raw
1953: Loved the art work. Took me a long time from start to finish. Maybe 5 years. I started it and then life hit me. Marriage, first house(mortgage), 2 babies. Condition G-VG. Not sure if 1953 or 1956 is my favorite.
1939,1940,1941 Playballs. Yes all 3 years. I was lucky. My uncle collected these as a kid. He and I were the only big BB fans in the family. Many years between us, but he knew I could talk BB from his time. He gave me his collection of about 200 Playballs, and Goudey Indians. There are 3 Dimaggios and 3 Williams in the sets. Of these 6, he(I) had 4 of them. Went to an auction when the rage was 1985 Topps!! At a live auction I picked up nearly every 1939 high number for $1.00 each. 40 cards for $40 when I think the high numbers were pushing $10. My greatest card "find". I remember the auctioneer trying to explain that this was the best purchase of the year.

Working on: 1956 Topps. Love everything about this set. 1958 Topps - No idea why I am working on it. Ugly set. But I acquired a large lot of them many years ago, so I will complete it some day. Lastly Diamond Stars. Great art work again. Maybe 75% complete.

[Exhibitman]

I've finished and broken up 1954 Topps twice, 1939-46 Exhibit Salutations once, 1971 Topps once, and 1978 once. I've come within three cards of 1920s Exhibit PC back but have decided to break it up too. Also finished several boxing sets. I find that I really don't care for set collecting, it bores me. I would rather just collect the cards I like from the set and skip the Sixto Lezcano cards. The only 'set' I am working on is the 1971 Topps set in error card format: blank backs, miscuts and misprints. That I find interesting.

[Cliff Bowman]

Sixto Lezcano, LOL. I loved how the Brewers PA announcer said his name before every at bat in the late 70's-early 80's when I was listening to White Sox games on the radio or on TV, "SIX-TOOOOOOOOOOE.... LEZZZZZ.... CANO!"

[brob28]

Adam, although I build sets with more traditional agenda regarding centering, printing etc. I'd love to see that '71 set when you're done - how fun would that be to look through in a binder!! I'll see if I have anything in my '71's that might fit your need.

Cheers!

[mets41]

I built:
1960-71 Topps
1960 Leaf
1963 Fleer
1962 Salada coins with all variations except the several high value
1948-49 Bowman
1955 Bowman football

[bobsbbcards]

I've decided to sell off everything except my Sixto Lezcano cards.

[judgebuck]

Been awhile since I've posted here.

I've completed the following vintage baseball sets: 1954-1990 Topps, 1959 Fleer Ted Williams (minus #68), and 1963 Fleer.

Football: 1954 and 1955 Bowman, 1956 and 1958-63 Topps.

Basketball: 1961-62 Fleer.

Eventually sold off a bunch of the above, and have only 1954-72 Topps baseball left.

[Rickyy]

1970 - 1979 Topps BB (include 1975 Mini)
1971 Topps Greatest Moments
1971 and 1973 Topps FB

Working on 1972 Topps FB (down to about a dozen)
Working on 1972-3 and 73-4 Topps BB (down to about a dozen)

Ricky Y

[ALR-bishop]

Adam--I have several of the 71s with the empty backs like the one you posted. I wonder if the set can be completed that way ?

I have 2 sets of the Topps 85 minis, including Sixto, regular and blank back. I also have a 1/3 of that set with red only backs. Don't know if it can be completed that way.

Bob--please list all the sets you are selling. Or, if it would be easier, list all the sets listed in SCD you do not have.

One warning to those buying any set from Bob with Sixto missing. When collecting the 85 minis I ran into a bidding war with an avid Sixto collector. It apparently was not Adam. But you might find it hard to complete the set

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

One warning to those buying any set from Bob with Sixto missing. When collecting the 85 minis I ran into a bidding war with an avid Sixto collector. It apparently was not Adam. But you might find it hard to complete the set

Actually, it would be easy. There's a PSA 9 '85 Mini Sixto card on eBay right now (I get spammed with the auction every five days).

[carlsonjok]

I collected some as a kid and picked it up again in 2011 as a 46 year old. I mainly collect vintage, but do occasionally go after modern sets that pique my interest.

Completed sets (All baseball):
1963 Fleer (I have 35 of the 66 autographed)
1971, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978 Topps
1977 to 1984 Renata Galasso
1991 to 1993 Conlon Collection
2004 Upper Deck Yankee Classics
2010, 2011 Tristar Obak

Sets I am working:
1956 Topps (about halfway done)
1959 Fleer Ted Williams (about halfway done)
1960 Fleer (1 to go - Bob Feller)
1961 Fleer (46 to go)
1973 Topps (19 cards and 18 unnumbered team checklists to go)
1975 Topps (42 to go)
1978 TCMA The 60s (41 to go)
2004 Fleer Greats of the Game (2 Forever insert cards to go)
2009 Tristar Obak (9 SPs and 1 T212 mini to go)

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Adam--I have several of the 71s with the empty backs like the one you posted. I wonder if the set can be completed that way ?

Not sure. I've seen cards from several series like that but I haven't checked to see if they are all there. Miscuts and misprints are from all series, though.

[brob28]

Adam, if either of these help your cause let me know and I'll send them your way.

[Exhibitman]

I know it is weird to collect what most collectors consider to be trash but ever since I pulled a blank back from a pack in 1971 I've been addicted to misprints from the set.

[1963Topps Set]

I have a load of error cards from 1971!(and all other years as well) an interesting and pretty much an open field.

[jimtigers65]

I've been collecting since 1975 and completed each Topps set from 1975 to 2010. I stopped collecting newer sets and started to work backwards starting with 1974. I now have complete sets from 1969 to 2010. My want list is down to one card for my 1968 Topps set. Yep, the Nolan Ryan rookie card. I don't know if I will start a 1967 due to too many short prints. Also, completed a 1961 Fleer set. I liked the set due to the colors and stars on each card.

My latest project is the 1955 Bowman set. As a kid I picked up all the major stars for (Mantle, Mays, Kaline, Aaron, etc.) for next to nothing. My want list is down to 56 cards, mostly high numbers.

One regret that I have with my completed sets is I wished I would have stopped with the 1984 set. All the time that I put in collecting 1985-2010 could have been spent more wisely. Oh well.

[EldoEsq]

I finished the 1973 and 1979 Baseball sets...and recently just finished the 1978, 1980 and 1981 sets with help from this Board! Going to start a new project...will most likely be 1975.

I know 1981 is probably the start of the "non-vintage" years...but that is the year I got into baseball and I always loved the design. 33 year old set and not considered vintage...damn you overproduction!!!!!

[savedfrommyspokes]

I have been consistently building sets for the last 15 or so years(in 2000 I had 79 -present complete, which is where I left off in the late 80s as a teen)....here is where I am at now:

completed:
53-present Topps regular sets
74, 76, 81-present Traded sets
77, 78 Yankees BK
84-91 Topps Tiffany sets (Reg & Trd)
75 Topps mini
75 SSPC
73, 77-78 Kelloggs
68, 69 Game/Deckle sets
61, 62 Post
69, 78-83 OPC

still working on:
52 Topps 340/407
68 Topps MB 36/77
63 Post 175/200
50 Bowman 205/252
51 Bowman 265/324
52 Bowman 251/252
53 Bowman 155/160
54 Bowman 218/224
55 bowman 305/320
60 Fleer 72/79
61 Fleer 150/154
63 Fleer 50/67
60 Leaf 68/144
71 OPC 515/752
72 opc 425/525
73 OPC 651/660
75 Opc 575/660
76 Opc 525/660
77 Opc 250/264
91 Desert Shield 524/792

All above are realistically able to be completed, except for the 52 311 (can't afford) and the 71 OPC set....missing most of the hi#s(can't find easily).