All or Topps

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Collect what you like. I prefer Bowman's to anything.

[MBMiller25]

Ryan, I too collect HOF rookies. I would add to the other comments by asking if you have plans to register these cards in a registry (PSA/SGC). If so, they have compositions that you will need to adhere to, which will direct which card you purchase.

Assuming that your just collecting for your pleasure of owning HOF RC's, I would say add the card you like the best. I'm somewhat partial to Topps myself, but as others said, I would purchase the 89 UD Griffey RC, 88 score traded Alomar, 87 Fleer Larkin when adding those to my RC collection. I like those cards.

Good Luck.

[jhyde77]

For the '80s, I like to have rookies from each brand of my favorite players. I try to get any Ripken, Griffey, or Maddux I don't have. I mostly like oddball rookie year cards and Traded/Update cards, because they seem to be in relatively shorter supply than those distributed through packs.

For rookies after '89, I collect regular Bowman and a few of my favorite Bowman Chrome sets. I like the early Bowman Chrome sets.

[majordanby]

Collect what you like.

My advice as well. However, since a lot of these cards are relatively cheap, I usually try to get all manufacturers. To make it more interesting, you can throw in the oddball cards in the mix since the fleer/donruss/score/ud/topps cards are fairly easy to obtain. I'm a greg maddux collector...so, i got all of his rookie cards produced by the standard brands, but also went after his oddball cards, which took more time to research and obtain (since they dont go up for auction as frequently).

But, if you simply just want one RC card for each player..go with the one you find most appealing.

[MrPosadas]

As a collector I understand it is important to collect what you find interesting, but it is nice to have the opportunity to pick the brains of other collectors for advice. Thanks again for the feedback.

[Iwantmorecards77]

For my rookie collection - the 1970's was easy - basically just Topps (I'm not really into regionals, etc.)

In the 1980's - every key rookie - and in multiples! Some scattered "inserts" and "traded" cards as well. I stayed away from the "glossy" and "tiffany" cards because they just didn't appeal to me for some reason.

In the 1990's - every key rookie from all sets. Again, I stayed away from all glossy, tiffany, refractor, etc paralells.

2000+ - really don't have much. Too many sets - too many cards - too expensive. I'll pluck off some key cards here and there. Just lost an auction for a Verlander rookie. It went quite high.

My goal is all HOF rookies from the 1940's, 1950's, and 1960's. That's gonna' take a while.

I enjoy looking at my pre-war and vintage rookie collection - just as I do my 1970-1999 rookie collection.

Collect what you like - it's all in fun!

[ThoseBackPages]

1980 and later - PSA 9 or better
1970 - 1979 PSA 7 or better
1948 - 1969 PSA Any