Topps all time basic set.

[novakjr]

I've got a few questions. I've been slowly working on a complete basic topps and traded run.. I've still got a long way to go, I'm only at about 50%, with mostly everything 80-now, near complete sets from '73-79, and mostly HOF rookies earlier than that. Now I've run into two things that I'm not sure of. Should I count the '48 magic photos? And the other issue is with the 2002 traded set. Topps apparently short printed the entire first 110 cards of the set at a rate of 1 per pack. Should I count those 110 cards in a basic set?

Or should I ignore both the magic photos and the 110 '02 traded cards for now, and then maybe decide when I've completed, or at least come close to completing the run? Any thoughts?

That, and what are some good websites for getting affordable singles/commons?

[mintacular]

I've had some luck making some trades on Sports Card Forum, just post your wants and you should have people similar to yourself with duplicates to help fill some needs...You might also type in the set name and "U Pick" on eBay, I recently picked up a few '69 commons that I needed that way...

[bcbgcbrcb]

I would not consider the 1948 Magic Photos as part of a base set collection. I would include the Traded set however if you have included all other Topps Traded sets other than that one.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

I would not consider the 1948 Magic Photos as part of a base set collection. I would include the Traded set however if you have included all other Topps Traded sets other than that one.

Yeah, that's what I was leaning towards with the magic photos. I already have the standard portion of the '02 traded set, but was unsure of how to approach the SP portion of it.

Basically cards 111-275 were all the prospect cards and regularly printed, while 1-110 were the regular traded/stars cards, and were all short printed at a rate of 1 per pack, almost like inserts. This really pisses me off that Topps would do something as ridiculous as that. You figure at $2-3/pack it would've cost $220-330 to complete the set, assuming you didn't get doubles. Meanwhile, having 3 sets worth of prospects. I find that completely uncalled for on Topps part. Sh*tty cards that should be commons and pretty much worthless all sell anywhere from $1-3. That's why I'm considering not even bothering, because for some reason, I want to treat them more like inserts than standard cards, due to their gimmicky nature..

[bcbgcbrcb]

I agree with you, David, makes no sense to me either. My best guess is that was probably at the height of the insert/low serial number printing craze and Topps was trying to take extra advantage of that.

[vintagetoppsguy]

David,

We have similar goals. I, too, want to do a set run from '52 to present. I currently have complete sets from '74 to present and actively working on '56, '58, '61 and '71 to '73. I also have a '54 set minus 1 card (Hank Aaron RC), but hope to get that very soon. I have several of the traded sets, but not all and I am still up in the air as to include those or not with my set run.

Anyway, BBCE has the 2002 Traded wax boxes for $49 each (breaks down to about $2/pk. They also have jumbo boxes available for $60. I don't know if those provide better odds for the SPs or not? If you buy some, let me know. I may buy a couple of boxes and maybe we can trade dupes.

Good luck with your sets.

David