What to collect? Complete Sets or HoF Players from that Set

[wilkiebaby11]

Originally Posted by vintagebaseballcardguy

Steve,

For the last few years I considered myself a set guy. However, my budget isn't unlimited. I have come to see that I need/want to make every card count. I want cards that matter to me or effect me in some way. There are sooooo many sets that I love. I will never, ever be able to build them all. I have recently arrived at conclusions similar to yours. So, I have identified key cards from each set that I would really like to have. Over time, I feel as though I could obtain a nice sampling of many different sets. You have to do what you like. You aren't collecting for me or anyone else. Collect what you like, what moves you. If commons feel expensive and burdensome, don't mess with them. A nice smattering of star cards from various sets would be very nice. When I finish my current project, that is what I am doing. There is no wrong way of doing this. Happy collecting!!

Yea, I think that I am going that route. The common cards just arent that interesting to me. I tried doing it, haven't found nearly as much enjoyment in it. I'm sure finally getting the complete set would be surely be worth it in the end, but I think I want the continued enjoyment, rather than one big hurrah at the end, and only to pull out the big name cards ever again.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by wilkiebaby11

Yea, I think that I am going that route. The common cards just arent that interesting to me. I tried doing it, haven't found nearly as much enjoyment in it. I'm sure finally getting the complete set would be surely be worth it in the end, but I think I want the continued enjoyment, rather than one big hurrah at the end, and only to pull out the big name cards ever again.

I hear ya! I have a complete '53 Topps baseball set that is a nice mid-grade set. I am nearly done with '41 Play Ball.
There are other sets I have toyed with, but I find I am growing less and less patient and my budget is growing ever tighter. So, cherry picking the cards from sets I like is what I am gravitating to. I have a ton of admiration for the set builders on this board! There is no wrong way to do it. I love this hobby!

[parkerj33]

I have struggled with this very question....I built the entire 67 set but didn't like paying $50+ per hi# no-name sp (shellenbach, barker, shannon, etc). But I do LIKE having the whole set now that its done. There is no wrong way to do it, but you have to figure out what works for you personally (which sounds like you have). I haven't!

There is a thread over on CU board where a guy has a display case that holds about 30 cards and he rotates the key 30 cards from each topps set, to display on his wall, he posts a pic and you see all the hof-ers from a single set all together. Its quite impressive seeing all the same year cards all grouped together. That always appealed to me, so its something you might want to consider.

We all may be able to picture, say a 63 mantle or aaron or rose, but can you quickly picture a 63 drysdale, banks, gibson, koufax, and billy williams? maybe so, but pick some year and think about it. its a great visual to be able to see all of them together from same year in same style, side by side.

[ALR-bishop]

Hey Parker, Shannon is not a nobody

55 + years in baseball , mostly with the Cardinals, including 3 World Series