My Countdown To Completion - 60 Years Of Baseball Cards

[tcjsavannah]

That's amazing. I have a similar goal that I've just now started - any tips for someone just starting out in assembling sets? (I have all that I want from 1978-forward and want to start going backwards, as far as I can reasonably go)

[doug.goodman]

Fantastic. Congrats on your collection. I am working on the exact some thing. Email me a list of the cards you are looking for, maybe I can help.

Take care,
Doug

[darkhorse9]

Originally Posted by tcjsavannah

That's amazing. I have a similar goal that I've just now started - any tips for someone just starting out in assembling sets? (I have all that I want from 1978-forward and want to start going backwards, as far as I can reasonably go)

What got me through was not getting too far over my head at any one time. Work on no more than a couple sets at a time.

I also made things a little easier and "goal achievable" by literally working a series at a time. When I start a set (like 1960, say) i work only on the first 88 cards. That way I usually only have a couple of high priced stars to worry about. When that series was done I went on to the next series. Kind of like the kids did back when the cards first came out.

It made a BIG difference whenever I could hit some smaller goal and then feel good about moving on.

[tcjsavannah]

Thanks for the good advice. When I was clearing through my closet and my current collection I saw about three or four unfinished projects as it is.. I think it'll be tough but I'm ready!

[rsdill2]

very nice collection. I like how you've labeled the spines of the binders...just for my own curiosity - is that an actual card on the spine? Or did you print out a scan of a card?

[darkhorse9]

Originally Posted by rsdill2

very nice collection. I like how you've labeled the spines of the binders...just for my own curiosity - is that an actual card on the spine? Or did you print out a scan of a card?

From 1957 to today those are actual cards (duplicates of what's in the set. Each one has a Hall Of Famer or superstar player so I needed an extra card each year. I didn't duplicate a player in any year.

From 1956 backwards I use reprints or insert cards since the originals don't fit on the spine. I try and get one that doesn't have gold embossing or anything like that. As close to the original on the front as possible.

I know...the whole thing sounds OCD, but isn't that why we got into the hobby?

[Volod]

"I know...the whole thing sounds OCD, but isn't that why we got into the hobby?"

Darkhorse - Of course, you are right - we're all O-C to some extent, or we wouldn't be in the hobby. It's just that oc slobs like me envy the care and dedication that you obviously bring to the task.

[cdn_collector]

Man, that's awesome. I'd love to have a couple shelves in my 'office' just stacked with binders...pick any of the last 60 years of baseball and re-live it just like that.

As somebody who has exactly zero complete sets, to get from here to there seems like one daunting task (even in small steps)!

For those of you that have (or are building) huge runs of Topps sets, what's your stance on building a set vs. buying it? I have to think that in some cases, it's easier and cheaper just to buy a complete set. Am curious to hear people's opinions on either approach.

Again, awesome. Congrats & kudos to the many of you that have assembled such impressive runs of cards.

Regards,

Richard.

[ALR-bishop]

Doug---you're working on his collection ?

Darkhorse---an ambitious and worthy project and much progress.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Darkhorse- Well done! I always appreciate it when someone has their collection in a form that they can enjoy. Sad to say mine is currently a mess!!

Just ask my saintly wife????? I'd actually rather that you didn't at this time.

[7nohitter]

Darkhorse...

What an incredible task/goal!

Currently I'm working on the '57 set....are you up for trades?

LMK via PM.

Andrew Miller

[darkhorse9]

It took some time, but I have finally completed my 1961 set with the card below.




I am now on to trying to complete the 1959 set. I'll be hitting the November show in Chicago for that one. Wish me luck