Opinion on Topps 1955

[Archive]

Posted By: MilfordMark

All,

I am in process of collecting the entire series of Topps 1955. There is an upcoming Card Show (East Coast National) near me that is featuring autographs by Harmon Killebrew, Bob Feller, Whitey Ford, and Moose Skowron.

I have originals of Killebrew and Skowron (both mediocre to lower quality) while my Feller and Ford cards are new "missing" cards...meaning they weren't ever issued in 1955, only recently issued with the same 1955 format.

Here's the question: Would you invest about $150 to get the 4 autographs to add to the overall value of the set I am collecting. I don't know when or if I would sell the set (my son may get it).

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Mark

[Archive]

Posted By: Josh Adams

Hi Mark,

Personally, I wouldn't do this. Unless you are trying to go after an entire '55 Topps auto'd set.
I'd stick to the clean, unsigned cards, and spend the $150 to upgrade (if you need to), some of the cards in the set.

You could also get dupes of the 4 cards, and have them signed as a sort of supplement to your set.

Josh

[Archive]

Posted By: Gary Weatherhead

I'm working on a 1958 Topps master set and I have about 20 autographs, however they are on duplicate cards and I use them to compliment the set rather than having them possibly detract from the set as a whole.

Good luck with your collecting and enjoy the show.

Best
Gary

P.S. Love the 55 set-no Mantle but rookies of two ATG's Clemente and Koufax.

[Archive]

Posted By: Shawn Chambers

I, too, would not do this as part of the set. I'm collecting a 55 Topps set as well. With the Ford and Feller not really a part of the set...that is one reason I can't see doing it. They have issued so many "missing" variations through the years Musial, Ford, Feller, Mantle etc.

It would be cool to have the autographs, but I would do them on lower grade cards and just keep them separate. I love the Skowron card and it is one of my favorites in the set...Moose has such a great expression on his face.

Good luck with your set. I'm doing it in PSA 6 (mostly) and have about 25% done.

Shawn

[Archive]

Posted By: JT Burtchaell

You have a Bob Feller card that's NOT autographed?!?!?! Now THAT'S a rarity! I'd keep it like that, it's rarer.

JT

[Archive]

Posted By: DJ

As a person with a similar dilemma (lasting nine years with a long hiatus in the meantime), I have been working on a 1953 Topps set in which there are a number of signed cards in the collection.

I would not add the signatures to the set as it will add nothing in the long run, $$$$ wise. You would be better off taking that $150 and upgrading those singles or use it to complete the set.

My take is that it's my set and my joy and I don't look down the road to sell. I have been shocked at what I could pick up on eBay as far as signed cards and when I have even been able to pick up a couple of signed 1953 cards for around $2-3. My last purchase to the set was in January...$8 for a signed Monte Irvin 1953 (VG-...blue sharpie).

Good luck and enjoy!

DJ

[Archive]

Posted By: John H.

"You have a Bob Feller card that's NOT autographed?!?!?! Now THAT'S a rarity! I'd keep it like that, it's rarer."

That's funny! I believe I have pulled three autographed cards out of packs in my life: Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Rizzuto, and...wait for it...Bob Feller! Actually, I was thrilled to pull it as Rapid Robert is a favorite of mine.

John

[Archive]

Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Mark, additional 'missing cards' from the set are Aparicio, Score, Mantle and Musial.

[Archive]

Posted By: peter chao

JT was kidding about the autographed Bob Feller, but Rapid Robert is a common autograph. Topps is making a big deal out of parallel sets for shiny new stuff. But really they are stealing the idea from collectors.

There is absolutely no reason you can't collect two 1955 Topps sets. The first set would be a '55 set in a condition that is personally satisfying. Then you can have doubles of key stars and have these cards autographed if you wish.

It's your collection, have fun with it.

Peter C.

[Archive]

Posted By: MilfordMark

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It was relatively consistent. I think I will secure a couple of the autographs and keep them separate from my non-autographed set.

Mark

[Archive]

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

....are the result of the final round of litigation between the Bowman Gum Co vs Topps.

Topps produced its smallest issue with only 206 cards in 1955 and Bowman's "TV set" has 320 cards.
Philadelphia based Bowman....features Mantle, Ford, most of the Phillies, and many of the Umpires of
the 1950's.
Brooklyn based Topps features most of the Dodgers in its set.

Warren Bowman was a "sue happy" guy and went to court many times at the "drop of a hat" over con-
tractural rights to players....as far back as the late 1930's with Bowman's Play Ball issues.

TED Z