1952 Topps Project
 

Since I began collecting in the mid-70s the 1952 Topps cards have always seemed a little mythical to me due to their place in history as Topps' first set and "THE MANTLE". I realize many think the 52s are overrated and that there are better sets, but this set just absolutely fascinates me. I have collected other cards through the years, but always avoided the 52s because I felt they were out of reach for a collector on a budget. Despite this, I never lost my obsession with these cards and have decided to begin my "bucket list project" - the 1952 Topps set (VG or better). I am 48 years old and realize if I am going to begin this on a limited budget I need to begin as this will take a number of years.

To tackle the task, I am taking an unusual approach. I am trying to complete the low number set, #1-310, but may decide to tackle the high #s later. That is down the road a few years. I have broken the set into "mini sets" by collecting a series at a time. This keeps the goal more attainable and I can enjoy milestones along the way. At the beginning of January, I began my quest. To date, I have acquired #s 1-10 as well as Gil Hodges. My goal is to complete the first series, 1-80, in 2014. I am trying to get black backs, but will buy a red back if it is a good deal. I am not consumed with getting both back variations.

I don't see many threads about the 52s so there may not be much interest, but I will post updates as I proceed through my journey. I welcome any suggestions or comments from fellow 52 fans or collectors.

1952
 

That is a great project and a good plan. There are several older threads in here on the 52 set and there are several 52 collectors on here, including me. But, it is not Topps first baseball set. Even ignoring the baseball subset to the Topps 1948 Magic Photos, Topps had 5 baseball sets in 1951--the Red and Blue back game cards, the 9 set Team cards and the Connie Mack and Current All Star sets. Still many people consider the 52 set the first true Topps baseball set

Good luck on your quest

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img148.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img071.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img070.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img069.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img126.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img125.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...ps77b20073.jpg

1952
 

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ght=topps+1952
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ght=topps+1952

Al,

Thanks for the encouragement and sharing the pics. Your collection absolutely amazes me. I have learned a great deal from your posts that share items from your collection. I actually considered trying the 51's, but I enjoy reading the backs of cards as must as looking at the fronts. Love the story of Sy Berger from Topps gathering data and writing the backs of the cards in his living room.

1952
 

There was a neat thread on Collectors Universe ( PSA) where folks "built" a 1952 set by posting pictures of each card in order

Cards so far
 

Here are scans of my cards so far. I have bought the #10 Rosen and #20 Loes but haven't received them yet.

1952
 

Ed---you ought to keep posting them here as you add them

This is the absolute right way to do it (one series at a time) and exactly the way I assembled my set collection of 1954 - today. I go series by series. I've just started the 1953 Topps set and have about 1/2 of the first series 1-85

I'm facing a decision on 1952 as well. Do I do Bowman with the knowledge I can complete that, or go with Topps knowing I will stop at 310 and that it will never be complete?

Keep us informed as to how you're doing.

I definitely will. Disclaimer on the Pasko: definitely lower grade but I got it for a great price and it meets my condition criteria (no holes, tears, paper loss on picture/back, or writing).

Thanks. Both 1952 sets are great and really can't go wrong either way. I struggled for a while with the realization that I may not complete the high #s, but finally decided to proceed. Even the low # set is a pretty cool accomplishment. Good luck on whatever you decide. Look forward to seeing your progress.

Hi Ed

Great post and good luck on your journey. I think you will find it easier and less expensive than you thought (at least the low series). I agree, it is a great set!

I started something similar about a year and a half ago and at some point parleyed it into a PSA graded set. I now have 261 of 310 all PSA graded (low to mid grades, mostly 3 and 4's ) and I am hoping to finish up the low series this year. The only big one I have left is Mays. In terms in the high series, I'm in the same boat. I have a couple but I'll decide if I proceed once I am done with the lows. My sense is that I will but we'll see.

Good luck with your quest and please keep us posted

Chris

Thanks Chris.

It's encouraging to hear that your similar quest has not been too tough.

Good Luck on your quest Ed. I know a couple of collectors who are putting together the 52 Topps set and they are taking the same approach as you - numbers 1 thru 310. If they can pick up a high number at a reasonable price they do, but there is no intent of getting all of the high numbers. The focus is on 1 - 310. The 52 set is iconic and there is high collectability with the cards. You can collect 1 - 80 in both black and red backs, and there are some nice star cards up to 310 as well ( Mays, Berra, Rizutto, Roberts, Doby, Irvin, Hodges, Snider, Ashburn among others ). Have fun!

Enigma
 

Have to love your enthusiasm, Ed. If it continues through the high numbers, i think you will have the task licked - or, at least, thoroughly tasted. Al makes an excellent point, but, i wonder how many of those "many people" are in fact just Mantle fans who dismiss any set that does not include the great idol. On the other hand, i have not seen many collectors describe the '56 set as Topps' "third" set just because the two previous did include him...so, why the extreme prejudice against the '51's? If Topps had thought any rookies worthy of a card that year, would Mantle's Redback or Blueback command a higher price than his second year card today, or, would most still overvalue the '52?

52 Topps Project
 

Interesting point Steve. I have always categorized my collecting habits as a Topps set collector first, a Mantle collector second, and then other sets last.

FYI it has taken me as long to collect 1-310 + variations as it has the high numbers. I am now perhaps 17 high numbers away from a complete set. But as I am sure Al will point out I am still missing a few variations :).

Collecting the major variations is another consideration. They can set you back as much money as the high numbers. I have the Campos red star / black star and a few others....but a ways to go on other variations. And I will never complete the 60 mid series gray backs.

Z Wheat

Great, great set. I started in early 2013 collecting the set and am at 280/310 on the low numbers and 6/97 on the high numbers. I'm doing both red/black backs on the 1-80's as well and have (41) redbacks, (63) black backs and 73/80 from that run. I'm trying to do crease free VGEX to EX or so without completely breaking the bank. Have bought a few large lots and sold off dupes to help finance my set.

High numbers are REALLY tough. Tough to find centered and crease free without spending $175-$200 for them. Cheapest one I've gotten is about $90 and most expensive is $175. I have most of the HOFers in the low run except Berra and Mays. Mays seems tough in nice shape and centered too.

I still have 30-40 dupes I'll try to organize and put back on the BST. I've sold a ton of them there in the last 3-4 months.

I've collected for 30-35 of my 47 years and done pretty much everything EXCEPT Topps sets. That changed last year as I completed 1960,1961,1968 sets and this 1952 set and have near sets of 1959,1963,1965,1970,1972 just about done all since about February last year.

Not sure I'll ever finish up 1952--especially given an uncreased Mantle would START at $10-$12K probably. In the single life, that was not a tough number to swing but with kids in college and in diapers and some in between, $12K doesn't pop up that often!

Collecting Kids
 

Kids in diapers, college and in between.... Tom--that's more impressive, and maybe more expensive , than your impressive card collection :)

the landscape-oriented cards in the 52 set are just so badass. i really like the color/framing of the Schoendienst.

Al, you really need to start showing some tougher cards, not those pedestrian pasteboards up above :D

Tom, that is pretty impressive run, completing all of those sets. At times though I bet it seems you would want to trade a kid or 2 for a crease free Mantle!

Best wishes.

Z Wheat

Ed,
Great thread, I look forward to your updates. You are off to a great start. I am 75 away from my '59 set and have 5 months to finish and decide on a new set. I want to use the National as a chance to buy a starter lot on that endeavor, be it another 50s set, 70s, or even the second monster, 52. May even do a regional, good thing I have 5 mos. to decide! We shall see?

Tom,
You had an amazing 2013! I knew you were busting out sets, but had know idea you have come that far, thanks for sharing!

Keep it up boys...

[QUOTE=geor952;1233757]Ed,
Great thread, I look forward to your updates. You are off to a great start. I am 75 away from my '59 set and have 5 months to finish and decide on a new set. I want to use the National as a chance to buy a starter lot on that endeavor, be it another 50s set, 70s, or even the second monster, 52. May even do a regional, good thing I have 5 mos. to decide! We shall see?

George,

It is a fun part of our hobby when the time comes to begin a project. Good luck with your next endeavor.

Ed

1959
 

George--1959 Topps was the first set I completed and it remains one of my favorites. Some classic variations to that set as well. Good luck on finishing it

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img034.jpg

Al,
Thanks to your comments on another thread I have done some research this week on all of the variations, I now have a few more than 75 that I want to complete it:).

Al--Did the players actually receive an "all-star rookie" trophy? Very cool pics, I had never seen them, I guess that is another card I need, probably pretty rare. Thanks for posting it! I assume it was in 59 packs?

Ed,

Congrats on your quest...seems like you're making nice progress. '52T is clearly the iconic post WWII baseball card set. Great looking cards and of course the challenge of the high numbers.

My dad and I are insane enough to try to collect it in autographed form and I sincerely believe that even if I live to a ripe old age, I'll never complete that quest - but it sure is fun to try!

http://www.psacard.com/PSASETREGISTR....aspx?s=165091

Best Wishes,
Scott

Topps Rookie Banquets
 

George---don't want to hijack thread so will post about this in new thread

Thanks Scott. Very impressed with your amazing 52 autographed collection. Very cool that you are tackling such a challenging, but rewarding, task.

Ed - good luck with your set. I have maybe 25-30 1952s and while I am not actively building the set, it's been in the back of my mind for a while. I would do it exactly as you are. A friend of mine grabbed the Ed Mathews RC in really nice condition right before Christmas for $600, so the "high dollar" cards can be had in the condition you're talking about for a relative bargain from time to time (the prices on eBay are crazy for this card, in my opinion).

Looking forward to hearing your updates.

Red's 1952 Topps card is probably one of my Top 10 favorite individual cards of all time. Absolutely love it. This is not my card below, but worth posting anyway!

Thanks Ed,

My favorite experience thus far has been sending requests for autographs through the mail to the players that remain alive from that set ... there are still a fair number.

Almost all of them have returned the card with a signature one it. Wally Westlake was my most recent receipt. He took the time to sign both the red and black backed cards carefully and flawlessly and added two signed photograph of himself as well !!

As a thanks, my dad and I have asked each of these players to identify their favorite charity and when they reply we make a donation on their behalf.

What an amazing thread. I have also decided to start the 1952 Topps quest after a number of years collecting various pre-war issues. Now that I own my Ruth's and Cobb's, it is time to return to my first love, Topps.

My plan will be to get the first 310 in PSA 5-6 range. I will probably dip below that grade for a few heavy-hitters. If I get that far, my 311th card will be the Mantle. I can only imagine how long this project will take, so there is no better time to start then the present.

I can't imagine owning so many signed 1952 Topps. Is there a known signed example of each player?

Yes there is a known example of every card in the set. Even Howie Fox who died in 1955 has at least three (likely more) signed examples. For those interested in pursuing signed 52T, I'd guess that nearly 20% of the set could be purchased if you're patient enough for $30 a card or less. After that it begins to get more difficult and costly.

Best
Scott

Mike,

Good luck and glad to hear from a fellow collector on the same mission. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

1952 topps autographs
 

here is lot of 67 doubles from my signed 1952 topps set i have hundreds of doubles of signed and unsigned also 600 raw 52s it is in legendary auctions lot #593
http://www.legendaryauctions.com/Lot...ntoryid=163180

Good luck. I think the 52s are pretty good looking.


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Latest pickups
 

Wanted to post my latest pickups as I continue working on my 2014 goal of obtaining cards 1-80. A big "thanks" to board members "111gecko" (Rizzuto, Loes) and "Republicaninmass" (Staley, Groth, Glaviano) for incredibly smooth transactions. I now have #s 1-11, 20, 25, 36, 56, 61, and 79 (21% toward my goal after just 2 months).

What about the Topps 1951 Red Backs and Blue Backs.

The 51's are cool but I really don't consider them a baseball card set in the modern sense in that the backs don't contain stats/info (just my opinion). One of the things I enjoy about baseball cards is reading the backs. This gives a great feel for the era that they were produced.

By the way, welcome to the forum.