1954 vs 1955 Which one?

[jasonc]

OK, now that I am winding down on my 1956 topps set. I might as well think about my next postwar vintage set to start building. I have been going back and forth, and finally narrowed it down to two.
1954 or 1955?
To me it's a tossup, I have been thinking about which one for the last week.
This would be raw, low to low-mid grade.

I like the looks of the 1955 slightly better, but there is no Aaron RC (which is one of the iconic cards in postwar IMO)
1955 looks somewhat similar to the 1956, and 1954 would be a change, but 1954 has slightly more cards, and this is to be a card by card project)
No Clemente and Koufax card in 1954.
Two ted Williams cards in 1954, I am not a big fan of 2x or 3x of one player in a set.
Disadvantage would be high priced high number commons in 1955.

There are so many things to consider, which is why I am at a tossup.
For those of you that have both sets, which do you prefer and why?
Looking at opinions of which has better player content, looks of the set, etc? and how easy it is to complete the set on a budget?

Thanks for any insight.

I am at the point where I am giving the 1955 a slight edge (like a 51 to 49 edge lol)

[robsbessette]

I really enjoyed 1954. I like the vertical orientation as opposed to the horizontal one. Also if you get some cards in decent condition the background colors really pop. Al Kaline specifically comes to mind.

[darkhorse9]

I finished the 1954 set long before even considering the 1955. In fact I completed the 1955 Bowman set instead of the Topps.

i only went after the 1955 Topps after I got my hands on a large lot of commons at a dirt cheap price.

That being said I think I prefer the 1955 set as far as aesthetics goes. It looks better in sheets and has a good selection of HOF cards and a few good story cards 'Agganis etc"

Cost-wise you could go either way. The prices on the Aaron rookie have gone through the roof, but so have the Clemente. The Koufax seems to be fairly stable.

One final thought. If you do finish the 1954 set you WILL be compelled to work on a 1955 set as quickly as possible to keep the run complete. If you work on the 1955 set first you won't feel the pressure of a gaping hole in your set run. At least that's the way my OCD mind works.

[baseballfan]

I like the 55's cuz of the Koufax and clemente and the look.

its smaller so you can finish it quicker to start the 54's then.

[mrmantlecollector]

Iv'e completed the 55 set with relative ease. Other than clemente the rest of the set was easy to complete on a budget. The 54 has alot more high dollar cards. With rookies of aaron,kaline and banks. I also prefer the look of the 55 set.

[jasonc]

Originally Posted by darkhorse9

I finished the 1954 set long before even considering the 1955. In fact I completed the 1955 Bowman set instead of the Topps.

i only went after the 1955 Topps after I got my hands on a large lot of commons at a dirt cheap price.

That being said I think I prefer the 1955 set as far as aesthetics goes. It looks better in sheets and has a good selection of HOF cards and a few good story cards 'Agganis etc"

Cost-wise you could go either way. The prices on the Aaron rookie have gone through the roof, but so have the Clemente. The Koufax seems to be fairly stable.

One final thought. If you do finish the 1954 set you WILL be compelled to work on a 1955 set as quickly as possible to keep the run complete. If you work on the 1955 set first you won't feel the pressure of a gaping hole in your set run. At least that's the way my OCD mind works.

The sheets is something I thought about too, I noticed the 8 pocket sheets, the horizontals display really well and the 1954's would have to be sideways.

I noticed there is still 2nd year cards of Aaron, Banks, Kaline which is not like having their rookies, but next best thing I guess.
The smaller set is what really appeals to me, besides whichever I choose I could always do the other one after.

[bobsbbcards]

You can't really go wrong with either, but it seems more logical to do 1955 first (it abuts 1956, if you hadn't noticed).

#207 Billy Consolo was the last one I got in PSA 7. I like the '56 set infinitely more because of the background pictures, but you'll enjoy the '55s. Good luck!

[almostdone]

The first vintage set I built was 1955. I didn't find the high numbers to be as difficult as other sets. I loved the set and Clemente and Koufax are two of my favorites but I would lean towards the 1954 if I were in our shoes. Still three HOFer rookies like the 55 but seeing all the cards lined up side by side I think the 55 tends to become a bit monotonous while the 54 colors pop. The only card I prefer by far in the 55 as compared to the 54 is Jackie Robinson. I think the close up of him is an odd choice of photos. Just my opinion.
As already stated, either way you really can't go wrong and hopefully you will get the chance to do both in time.
Drew

[NateMack]

Man tough choice! I finished the 54 set first, Banks is a all time favorite. and since Banks' rookie was in there it made my choice easier. But 55 is an equally cool set...

Lets be frank here, you are going to collect both sets right? So do them both at the same time and get the benefit of broadening your search for great deals on both the commons and the HOF cards...

My vote, do them both at the same time!

[PowderedH2O]

Great answer! I am primarily working on a 1952 Bowman set, but I know the 53 set is next. So, I am picking those up too when a great deal arises. You should follow the same thing. It might take longer to finish a set, but you won't get bored and you might save money.

[jasonc]

NateMack, that is a really good idea, however I don't know what it is, I just feel overwhelmed doing two sets at the same time, especially 50's sets, with the cost of putting together, etc. I do kind of agree with the point being made about the 1954 being different with the multiple colored backgrounds, and the cards in the 1955 looking somewhat the same.

I guess I'll just wait, and the set where I can find the better deal on a good low to mid grade starter set might be the next one, or if I can snag one or two of the big rookies for an awesome price that would help decide as well.

[gs1833]

Both are great. 1955 does have Clemente and Koufax, but the 1954 -- to me -- has better eye appeal and captures the 1950s a little more. You really can't go wrong either way, though.

[hcv123]

Clemente Rookie - nuff said (from one of Clemente's biggest fans anyway )

[the 'stache]

Oh man, hard choice. The '54 set has Hank Aaron's rookie, and I'm a huge Aaron fan. Aaron is revered in Milwaukee, where I was born, and with good reason. The '55 set has Clemente's rookie, and I'm an even bigger Clemente fan (by a hair).

How can you go wrong? '54 has Aaron, Banks and Kaline rookies. '55 has Clemente, Koufax and Killebrew rookies. Are you kidding me? Either set is going to have iconic rookie cards. Either set is going to be visually striking. Great color, great design.

I honestly don't know if I could choose. I might go with '55 only because the '54 set doesn't have the rookies I listed. That might just be enough to get me to collect the '55 set.

[CxG Voodoo Doll]

Here's my lone 54.




I love the 54 set. It is a bit pricier though.

[jasonc]

It was a VERY tough decision. I decided on 1955 topps for my low to mid grade set build. I just think they look better overall than 1954, Actually after seeing the 12 key cards from the set all together, man the colors and the appearance just pop out. I would say with the bigger size cards, this set is the most attractive set overall, not far behind is 1954 or 1956 and a handful of others.

1955 has the Clemente and Koufax rookies. I decided that 1955 already has an Aaron, Kaline and Banks, but 2nd year, not quite their rookies, but they are nice looking cards. No Clemente or Koufax, of course, in the 1954.
Not a big fan of their being two Ted Williams in the 1954 as well.
Plus the Jackie Robinson and Mays cards look better in the 1955 version IMO.

206 cards vs 250 cards makes it a little easier as well.

To be honest, it was not easy.

Now, this is a build that might not start in month or so, going to take my time, plus I want to complete my 1956 first. Gotta start budgeting as well.

[the 'stache]

Very nice Williams, CxG.

Jason, I think that's smart. Ultimately, I'd have gone for the '55 set for the reasons you listed. You get the benefits of those great rookie cards, and the second year cards for Aaron, Banks and Kaline.

I look forward to seeing your progress!