Assembling a Vintage Set

[vintagetoppsguy]

If you're limiting your choice to '57-'65 Topps because you want to store them in an album, you can get 8 pocket pages that will store '52-'56 Topps. They fit in a standard size ablum.



I like the '56 set for several reasons:

1.) Some of the background action shots are absolutely amazing
2.) Mantle that won't break the bank
3.) Nice 2nd and 3rd year cards of Aaron, Banks, Kaline, Killebrew, Clemente, Koufax - no expensive rookies to buy
4.) Very colorful set
5.) Still a fairly small set compared to '57 and later
6.) No expensive high numbers to fool with
7.) A lot of the player's head shots are the same from previous years

[ALR-bishop]

Agree with David, my 52-56 Topps sets are all in binders in 8 pocket sheets, and look good that way. Favorite 50s set though is 57. For the 60s it is 67, and for the 70s, 72

[rsdill2]

My opinions:

'57: Great selection of rookies, no difficult high series to complete. Ted Williams.

'58: No difficult high series, Nice and simple design and colors. Lots of fun variations if you're into that.

'59: Definitely not my favorite. Too much of a repeat of '58s.

'60: My favorite. Love the colors and horizontal photos.

'61: Most difficult high numbers of any '57-'65. Some consider it a bland design but I kind of like it. Also really like the MVP subset.

'62: The "woodies" are polarizing - some love em, some hate em. I'm not a fan but I do really like the Babe Ruth subset. Lots of variations.

'63: Solid set. The Rose RC is an iconic card. The set is very colorful and uses good photos. Lots of semi-high and highs to chase but you can generally find deals on the commons.

'64: My least favorite of the bunch. Uninspiring design, weak rookie selection.

'65: Decent selection of rookies, pleasant card design, relatively easy high numbers.

If you're only going to do one, I'd say don't do '59, '61, '62 or '64. I'm partial to the '60 set but others aren't fans of the horizontal design. Next favorites are probably '57 or '63.

To rank them strictly in order of how much I like the set I'd go: 60, 63, 57, 61, 65, 58, 62, 59, 64

Difficulty to complete ranking: 57, 61, 63, 62, 58, 59, 60, 65, 64

[ALR-bishop]

Great post Robert....except that you are all wrong about the 59s . ( It was the first set I completed )

[cubsfan-budman]

Love 59! Bob Gibson RC and a cool Mantle.

[ALR-bishop]

Too bad it's pink. Gibson was never a pink

[cubsfan-budman]

Actually, that's totally true. It's SO pink. But Bob is secure in his manhood!

[rsdill2]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Great post Robert....except that you are all wrong about the 59s . ( It was the first set I completed )

To each his own. I'm just not a fan. I like the '58s much more than the '59s. But I do really like the Gibson. Got a good deal on one for my set a few years ago - it was listed as scuffed. I thought the scan just looked like wax so I took a chance. Got a exmt Gibson RC (after scratching off the wax with pantyhose) for $50.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by rsdill2

Got a good deal on one for my set a few years ago - it was listed as scuffed. I thought the scan just looked like wax so I took a chance. Got a exmt Gibson RC (after scratching off the wax with pantyhose) for $50.

Yes, I accidentally listed that one by mistake. Please send it back to me and I'll refund your $50

[mintacular]

Don't analyze too much, let your gut tell you which card year attracts you most. I am a big fan of the '57 set due to the pre-game action shots with ballparks in background. You may also reconsider building Braves team sets, etc. as you might be spending big $ on non-Braves just to complete a vintage set...would this $ be more wisely purchased on your favorite vintage braves cards from other years? Just a thought as once you start a set it is hard to get out of and you will be spending a lot on rookies, tough series, etc. checklists, stars players like Mantle in order to complete entire set.