Starting out in vintage football

[DBesse27]

I don't care for the All American set.

Regarding early 50s bowman vs early 60s fleer, that's a tough call I love both runs, but I think I give the slight edge to the older Bowmans.

Since you are looking to put together a higher end 60's set have you taken a peek at the '62 topps? My favorite of the 60's by far, but darn those black borders. I understand your interest in the '61 fleers, a mighty good looking set. Centering was a problem as I accumulated the '68s, especially with the thin line borders around the cards, though a nice set with both leagues. To be frankly honest all the Philadelphia sets look like Wonder Bread inserts to me, but I'm probably in the minority with that opinion.

Most importantly, have fun!

[jefferyepayne]

All great sets, Robert! It really gets down to what you are personally drawn too. All of the Bowman sets are classics so you can't go wrong there and there's so many nice sets in the 60s that you've got a lot of options.

Football is definitely more affordable than baseball so why not do two ... one Bowman set and one 60s set? That'll keep you busy for a while and I have a feeling you're gonna end up doing them both anyway

jeff

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

Since you are looking to put together a higher end 60's set have you taken a peek at the '62 topps? My favorite of the 60's by far, but darn those black borders. I understand your interest in the '61 fleers, a mighty good looking set. Centering was a problem as I accumulated the '68s, especially with the thin line borders around the cards, though a nice set with both leagues. To be frankly honest all the Philadelphia sets look like Wonder Bread inserts to me, but I'm probably in the minority with that opinion.

Most importantly, have fun!

Ty, I have looked at those '62s, and they are beautiful. While I think I will build it someday, I would rather have a '51 Bowman and/or a '61 Fleer set first. Those black borders are tough! Those '62s might take a while to build a really nice set.

Jeff, your thought of doing both is plausible, and you are probably right about my doing them both anyway. I have always been a one at a time guy for the most part, but if I could stay focused, I think I could do it. I am thinking of doing the Fleer in slightly higher grade than the Bowmans.

In baseball collecting, I usually went with nice commons that were ungraded (and cheaper) and most of my stars were graded. However, at least with '61 Fleer, the sharp ungraded commons I have seen aren't much less than the PSA 7s. This has surprised me and has made me think about building that set in all 7s or better. With the '51 Bowman, I could see myself using a mixture of graded/ungraded, with it being a crease free vgex to ex set.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by pariah1107

Since you are looking to put together a higher end 60's set have you taken a peek at the '62 topps? My favorite of the 60's by far, but darn those black borders. I understand your interest in the '61 fleers, a mighty good looking set. Centering was a problem as I accumulated the '68s, especially with the thin line borders around the cards, though a nice set with both leagues. To be frankly honest all the Philadelphia sets look like Wonder Bread inserts to me, but I'm probably in the minority with that opinion.

Most importantly, have fun!

Ty, your comments made me go back and look at some 62s again. They are sweet! But those black borders! That is one set that I would have to build in high grade because that is one set that mid grade might not work for because of the black borders.

[PowderedH2O]

Have you considered 1956 Topps? At 120 cards, it isn't a beast. The cards are nice. The set has some HOF rookies, but none that will break the bank. I completed it in Ex Mint in just a few months, and my budget is very limited. Plus, it has the distinctions of being Topps' first NFL set, and the last large card design. For someone just starting out, it offers a lot.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by PowderedH2O

Have you considered 1956 Topps? At 120 cards, it isn't a beast. The cards are nice. The set has some HOF rookies, but none that will break the bank. I completed it in Ex Mint in just a few months, and my budget is very limited. Plus, it has the distinctions of being Topps' first NFL set, and the last large card design. For someone just starting out, it offers a lot.

Sam, 56 Topps is a good looking set...one that I have overlooked. Thanks for reminding me of it. They are nice looking cards. Like you said, it would be very attainable.

[jiw98]

I have completed the 69-72 Topps football sets all in EXMT-NRMT condition. The 72 set took around 3 years and was a lot of fun. I looked everywhere to find the high numbers in the condition I wanted. I looked at every card shop I could find during my travels across the country. I also looked at antique shops. Sometimes those out of the way antique shops have some nice finds. I was going to continue going back and do the 68 set, but I was at a show and got such a good deal on a lot of 80 cards from 55 Bowman baseball that I decided to do that set. I am currently 80% complete. After the 55 baseball set, its back to football.