For those that still pick up the Topps set every year...

[PowderedH2O]

I am working on everything from 1952-Present in both Topps and Bowman. I am nowhere near finished, although I am closing in on being done with the basic sets from 1973-present, so I can concentrate on the older stuff probably by the end of the year. Here's my question:

From 1981 to now, Topps (and Fleer and Donruss to some extent) have issued update/traded sets. Do you consider your set complete for that year without these additional sets, or do you feel like they are a part of it, even though they are numbered differently? I'm kind of mixed on this. I have a lot of these sets, but I just don't know if I think that my set from last year needs to be 1100 cards. Or does it?

Chime in.

[sbfinley]

I've added some of them, especially if they have key rookies in them. Although I don't consider them necessary, some sets just seem incomplete without without them. 2000 Miggy. 2001 Pujols. 2011 Trout. Etc.

[ALR-bishop]

I have done the Topps run 1948 and 1951-2016. ( and Bowman 48-55) Up to 1994 I have also collected any test or insert sets listed for Topps in the SCD Standard Catalog ( up to 2011 it included post 1980 stuff, it no longer does). After 1994 the proliferation grew to great. So after that date I only did the base set and any update/traded set. I also have done all the Heritage sets and any updates to them. I keep all the traded/update sets with my base sets.

Some people include them, some don't. I think if you are an OCD collector you include them ....and of course you need all the cataloged variations to all the sets...and an unopened pack too .

Good luck on your run, Sam

[PowderedH2O]

Thanks. I am leaning towards the updates. I don't care for errors or variations or inserts. I'm building this year's heritage set from packs for fun. Gonna cost me triple what I could buy it for off eBay probably.

[BearBailey]

I have always included the update traded sets, but not everyone does, I think it's a personal choice but given how cheap they are today, it's probably worth picking them up.

[autograf]

Used to build the Heritage sets for 'fun' from packs. Until it wasn't 'fun' anymore. I bought maybe 6 boxes last year at $65-$70/box and was STILL missing a dozen or more SP's. Bought them for maybe $40-$50, so I had about $425-$450 in a set that I bought this year off ebay for $229 or $230 including all (5) of the insert sets in the base product. No oddball color shifts or action images, but for the base 'Master' set, couldn't beat it. Full disclosure.....I also bought a hobby box and a couple of boxes at Target. But I'm still $100 or more to the good. It's a sin that they cannot collate better than that.

As for updates, etc......I would consider the update part of the set. JMO.............