1952 Topps complete set

[ALR-bishop]

I do not have my set scanned. Here are a couple of pieces. On CU a group of folks did a joint set where we posted all the cards in order

[campyfan39]

Al,
If you are looking to adopt a son, I'm interested! WOW

[dacubfan]

I collected the set as a kid (I'm 67 now) and had it about 80-90% complete but it was pretty rough. In 1980 I purchased a complete set which was for the most part really nice especially the semi's and high numbers. Paid 10K and my collecting buddies thought I was crazy. Over the past 8 years I have had the set completely graded by PSA and it's #18 on the Basic Registry. I have had to upgrade at least half the set and have probably spent another 20K over and above all the grading fees doing so. Just about 2 months ago I finally was able to find a PSA 7 Karl Olson #72 for the last card I needed. Had to pay over $1000 for this common but it is a card that never shows up in high grade. Trying now to get everything PSA 6 or 7. Really admire Al for his Master Set. I have not concentrated on those. Keep mine in the largest safe deposit box available and can barely lift it off the ground!! Really a fun set but definitely a challenge in all respects.

[Doug]

I got a little over halfway several years ago, but those high number commons were budget killers. The Mantle, Mathews, Robinson, Campanella and Reese are bad enough, but trying to find the rest of the high numbers in decent shape without spending a fortune is a tough task.

[Volod]

The one set from my childhood I did not complete in the 1980's. Got about halfway into it when the Mantle skyrocketed in price, and that was it for me. Had I been a single guy back then, would probably have spent the five grand or so to complete the set, but had bills to pay so gave it up in disgust. Al's dedication is way beyond my comprehension - I would have been happy with the basic 411 in nice condition.

[ALR-bishop]

Ed--great story. Congrats on a great set and your persistence and patience over a long time. I started collecting Topps baseball in 1957 and have a full Topps set and pack run, 1948 and 1951 to 2012. Never really quit.

[ALR-bishop]

Here is the 1967 Card Collector's Catalog with prices you can dream about for the 52 high numbers:

[SMPEP]

I'm almost there but stuck on 5 grey backs. If anyone has:

150 Beard, 159 Rogovin, 161 Byerly, 180 Maxwell, 189 Reiser

Let me know. I have many extra grey backs I can trade.

Cheers,
Patrick

[Republicaninmass]

i'm working on the complete set with black/red backs. About half way there on 1-310 after 3-4 years of upgrading and buying lots looking for perfect centering grades vg+. Also, I am working on the autographed set, and at about 200/310 with 15 hi's. One of my goals is to open a nickel
pack of 52's

[dacubfan]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

i'm working on the complete set with black/red backs. About half way there on 1-310 after 3-4 years of upgrading and buying lots looking for perfect centering grades vg+. Also, I am working on the autographed set, and at about 200/310 with 15 hi's. One of my goals is to open a nickel
pack of 52's

Very nice! Especially impressive with how far you have gotten with the autographed set. Can't even imagine what it would feel like to open a nickel pack!!

[savedfrommyspokes]

My efforts on this set have become dormant...I am short just 3-4 cards (commons) on the first 310 and have a handful of ungraded hi #s in addition to the graded hi#s. With the lows #s, my ungraded cards are consistent with the graded ones I have collected on the list below. Someday I will rededicate myself and finish this thing.


http://www.psacard.com/PSASETREGISTR...spx?s=100&ac=1

[dacubfan]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Here is the 1967 Card Collector's Catalog with prices you can dream about for the 52 high numbers:

Funny how there is a price break between card 99 and 100. I remember stressing about paying a dollar for hi's in the late '50s even. Heck for another 20 cents you could buy a whole box with 24 packs of the new cards.

[the 'stache]

The passion you all display for our hobby is simply amazing. I really do love this site. I wish I'd discovered it long ago.

And Al, that graded Mantle is jaw dropping. Hell, they're all beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[flkersn]

delete

[CobbSpikedMe]

I must say to those who have this set complete or even near complete that I am very impressed. I don't see myself ever going after this one. I've just heard too much about the difficulty and money spent to start it. Maybe I'll go after the low number set and leave it at that though.

Best regards.

AndyH

[ALR-bishop]

flkersn--would be interested in trading info with you on variations/oddities/print defects you have accumulated in your set. If interested you can pm or email me
.
Al

[baseballfan]

i have mine started, i have started the low numbers and will go from there. i have other set im working on so i pick them up when i can as lot or individual cards. i still need 117 for the low in vg/vg+/ex and have some doubles to trade.

i fugured i have time so i started this and pick some t206 when i can, its a journey not a sprint.

[ksfarmboy]

I have at least half the set that I got as a kid in the 80's. Only have three High #'s though. What #'s are the grey back variations? I never really looked for those and I might have some by chance.

[flkersn]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

flkersn--would be interested in trading info with you on variations/oddities/print defects you have accumulated in your set. If interested you can pm or email me
.
Al

Here is what I have (although some of these "variations" may be failing eyesight!). These are variations NOT recognised by PSA

10 Rosen Black has pink by hat
26 Irvin Black has dark brown and light tan background on front
30 Parnell Black has red line on hat brim
42 Kretlow Black has yellow and peach backgrounds
43 Scarborough Red has Peach and light Peach background (Eyesight??)
43 Scarborough Black has yellow and peach background
54 Kiely Black orange and beige background
55 Boone Black dark olive and light green background
55 Boone Red dark olive and light olive background
80 Wehmeier Black red-yellow and red-orange background
88 Feller clear slats and hazy background
99 Woodling frame break lower left
116 Scheib frame break lower left
121 Niarhos pink dot by ear
146 House Cream yellow logo and many variations in between
162 Crandall Cream orange and red background
181 Swift Cream split PP in TOPPS on back
225 Baumholtz tan and light brown background (eyesight?)
276 Wilson frame break lower right
295 Cavaretta yellow spot in background
307 Campos partial black star
307 Campos frame break upper left
307 frame break upper left, partial black star
311 Mantle arrows left and right
312 Robinson arrows left and right
313 Thomson arrows left and right
314 Campanella missing "R" in "MAJOR" on back

That's it, with one exception. I believe that the gray back seriws 131-190 has a version that has a white border on the front. I cannot explain it, but i has several examples and I do not believe it is a matter of aging or uneven discoloration of the card stock. But what do I know?

I welcome hearing about any other variations.

Bill

[tedzan]

My goal is to complete a master set of 554 cards. I currently have 510 cards.

The following lists what I consider a master set of 1952 Topps cards..............

407 different Red Backs
...3 double prints (Mantle, JRobby and Thomson)
..80 Black Backs
...2 Page and Sain error cards
...2 Boone and Campos printing variations
..60 Cards #131 - 190 Gray Backs
----
554 = Total


These five Hi # cards were in the very last pack that I bought as a kid in the Fall of 1952.




Need 44 more of these Gray Backs to finish this adventure.







TED Z

[flkersn]

I posting this list of variations months ago, I failed to give credit to Mr. Thomas Killeen, who has conducted years of research on 1952 Topps and helped discover some of these variations. He is, perhaps, best known for his discovery of the yellow logo Frank House.

Originally Posted by flkersn

Here is what I have (although some of these "variations" may be failing eyesight!). These are variations NOT recognised by PSA

10 Rosen Black has pink by hat
26 Irvin Black has dark brown and light tan background on front
30 Parnell Black has red line on hat brim
42 Kretlow Black has yellow and peach backgrounds
43 Scarborough Red has Peach and light Peach background (Eyesight??)
43 Scarborough Black has yellow and peach background
54 Kiely Black orange and beige background
55 Boone Black dark olive and light green background
55 Boone Red dark olive and light olive background
80 Wehmeier Black red-yellow and red-orange background
88 Feller clear slats and hazy background
99 Woodling frame break lower left
116 Scheib frame break lower left
121 Niarhos pink dot by ear
146 House Cream yellow logo and many variations in between
162 Crandall Cream orange and red background
181 Swift Cream split PP in TOPPS on back
225 Baumholtz tan and light brown background (eyesight?)
276 Wilson frame break lower right
295 Cavaretta yellow spot in background
307 Campos partial black star
307 Campos frame break upper left
307 frame break upper left, partial black star
311 Mantle arrows left and right
312 Robinson arrows left and right
313 Thomson arrows left and right
314 Campanella missing "R" in "MAJOR" on back

That's it, with one exception. I believe that the gray back seriws 131-190 has a version that has a white border on the front. I cannot explain it, but i has several examples and I do not believe it is a matter of aging or uneven discoloration of the card stock. But what do I know?

I welcome hearing about any other variations.

Bill

[JoeyF1981]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I do not have my set scanned. Here are a couple of pieces. On CU a group of folks did a joint set where we posted all the cards in order

Hey AL awesome cards. Do you ever get tempted to open that pack? do you think you ever will someday?

[ALR-bishop]

It is part of a full set and pack run, so no. Plus since I have the set, and upgrading a card or two is not a temptation. Besides, whatever is in there is likely worth less than the unopened pack. The mystery is usually better than the reality

[extremeboy]

How much is a 52 Topps pack worth in PSA 5 and up or GAI 8? I am over 90% complete with the set and I have been looking for a pack to place in my collection. The buy it now price on Ebay is crazy.

[ALR-bishop]

Got the one I have several years ago when a bunch of them from a box went up for sale. Prices dropped for awhile but have risen again. I have not followed them specifically recently