A 1952 Topps complete set. Starting "the" ultimate post war project

savedfrommyspokes · #1 01-29-2020, 06:23 AM

I first started the 52 set in 2005 with a goal of completing the set with an average condition of PSA 5. I worked on it for about a year and a half and got to about 40% (mainly low # commons) by late 2006. However, outside of the Mays card, I had none of the stars and started feeling like I would never complete this set and began working on other sets. For the next 10 years I worked on completing other sets (sets from 53 on up).

In 2016 I realized that the 52 set was a glaring hole in my collection. I also knew at this point that if I went back to building the 52 set, the distraction of building other sets would not be an issue as I had completed most all of the sets on my "list". So I started again on the 52 set. Over the past four years I have used nearly all of my collecting funds on this set. I picked up the Mantle (lower grade with my desired visual appeal) in 2016 knowing that once I had that card, it was down hill from there. I finished the low # run in early 2018 and have focused on the high #s since. I am now 12 cards shy including the Campy, Mathews and Jackie cards. Based on their costs (now), I have an anticipated finish date of 2022.

Minus the 10 year break, this set (based on my available funds/condition preference) will take almost 8 years to complete. For me, this set has been a journey.

1952boyntoncollector · #2 01-29-2020, 07:59 AM

a fun set...as you can see from my username...i could never get the right mantle as i have assembled almost all the other cards a few times

Republicaninmass · #3 01-29-2020, 08:11 AM

Yes, quite a few times. I love picking up large lots, and upgrading over time. It's a constantly moving project akin to army ants. The cards ebb and flow with new batches coming in, and new collectors picking them up.

It's also a set where I don't see it losing value anytime soon. The tough part is paying for the high series. It stinks paying 50$ or more for commons, but everyone needs them. Demand outweighs supply.

1963Topps Set · #4 01-29-2020, 08:59 AM

I am 7 cards from the set, but I know i will never finish.

jgannon · #5 01-29-2020, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1963Topps Set

I am 7 cards from the set, but I know i will never finish.

Lol...

ALR-bishop · #6 01-29-2020, 06:07 PM

Have finished the set, including an unopened pack, and did the red and black backs, plus the Sain, Page, House and Campos (2) variations, plus many of the recurring print defects listed in the H&S super set. Even did the two versions of the Mantle, Robinson and Thompson, but stalled our on the gray backs which tend cost more than the high number cards. May yet get back into those if I last long enough.

cardsagain74 · #7 01-29-2020, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Have finished the set, including an unopened pack, and did the red and black backs, plus the Sain, Page, House and Campos (2) variations, plus many of the recurring print defects listed in the H&S super set. Even did the two versions of the Mantle, Robinson and Thompson, but stalled our on the gray backs which tend cost more than the high number cards. May yet get back into those if I last long enough.

Hadn't addressed the different backs and any other variations. Won't be taking any of that into account for my set.

The first 407 different players will be it

cardsagain74 · #8 03-26-2020, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

a fun set...as you can see from my username...i could never get the right mantle as i have assembled almost all the other cards a few times

I'd never looked at your set. The condition of those

No wonder it was tough to find the Mantle or Mathews for that one.

Did you really stop pressing on with it in December 2014?

cardsagain74 · #9 03-28-2020, 09:34 PM

A quarantined '52 T set builder's thoughts from a typical night on ebay:

- "There's that grade 2.5 Duke Snider for 90 bucks 'ending' again. For the 804th time this week. May wanna second guess the price buddy"

- "How many cards out of that lot do I need? 4 out of 6. Usually 4 of 6"

- "Oooo a Matthews is up today. Maybe I should finally give it a shot. Not what I really expected to get, but they'll never get any easier to find, so maybe I better not be picky about him. Ok I'll bid. Hmm outbid already"

- "Where is Hoyt? His cards dance away more than his knuckleball did"

And, as always for most of us....

- "I've never seen a finish line that seems so far away as getting all the high numbers"

irv · #10 03-28-2020, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

A quarantined '52 T set builder's thoughts from a typical night on ebay:

- "There's that grade 2.5 Duke Snider for 90 bucks 'ending' again. For the 804th time this week. May wanna second guess the price buddy"

- "How many cards out of that lot do I need? 4 out of 6. Usually 4 of 6"

- "Oooo a Matthews is up today. Maybe I should finally give it a shot. Not what I really expected to get, but they'll never get any easier to find, so maybe I better not be picky about him. Ok I'll bid. Hmm outbid already"

- "Where is Hoyt? His cards dance away more than his knuckleball did"

And, as always for most of us....

- "I've never seen a finish line that seems so far away as getting all the high numbers"

Just looking at a $1,499 Mathews just now equates to $2,111 CDN. Add the $34 U.S. shipping ($48 CDN) and that card would cost me $2,159 dollars!

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I will be waiting for a while yet on any further U.S. sales, unfortunately, but I'm glad to read you're still picking away, John.

jasonc · #11 03-31-2020, 02:21 PM

Who is collecting their set all graded, or all raw or a combination?

At this point, most of what I am getting is pretty much all raw, except for a few here and there that have been graded (which are HOF's or High numbers)

I don't know for uniformity if I am going to crack the slabs and have it all raw, or just leave them how they are.

Who here is storing their set in a binder, who is using card savers/top loaders?

irv · #12 03-31-2020, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonc

Who is collecting their set all graded, or all raw or a combination?

At this point, most of what I am getting is pretty much all raw, except for a few here and there that have been graded (which are HOF's or High numbers)

I don't know for uniformity if I am going to crack the slabs and have it all raw, or just leave them how they are.

Who here is storing their set in a binder, who is using card savers/top loaders?

Hi Jason.

Like the bold, that is exactly what I am doing, only the slabbed/graded cards I have are not, for the most part, HOF's.

I am currently storing my less valuable cards in a metal case that is likely very similar to a large camera case. They are either in sleeves and top loaders or in the card savers 2's they came in. I normally transfer them from the card savers and place them in sleeves and top loaders, but I still have quite a few I haven't gotten around to yet.

I have cracked a few of my graded cards, namely my Beckett's, as I didn't like the way they scanned but truth be told now, I regret doing that as they would have likely been easier to sell in the future?

How far along are you on your set and are you looking to purchase any? I have approx 16 dupes that are rough, as in creased/wrinkled/dinged corners, OC, etc, but also about 6 that are just OC mainly but in VG-EX condition.

I also have 2 PSA graded ones as well. A PSA VG-3 Richie Ashburn and a PSA good 2 in Billy Johnson if you are interested?

bks14sr · #13 04-02-2020, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonc

Who is collecting their set all graded, or all raw or a combination?

At this point, most of what I am getting is pretty much all raw, except for a few here and there that have been graded (which are HOF's or High numbers)

I don't know for uniformity if I am going to crack the slabs and have it all raw, or just leave them how they are.

Who here is storing their set in a binder, who is using card savers/top loaders?

I have a roughly 50/50 combination of raw and graded at this point. I have 165/310 for the low numbers, but all the big cards PSA or SGC graded 5-6 range. I'm now filling in the gaps where I can raw or graded, solely looking at card appeal and relative cost. I've been working with a few members on here lately filling numbers on my list with nice raw lots.

Regarding storage, just been filling shoe boxes with majority. My big cards go in heat/water resistant safes with some desiccant bags.

cardsagain74 · #14 04-02-2020, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonc

Who is collecting their set all graded, or all raw or a combination?

At this point, most of what I am getting is pretty much all raw, except for a few here and there that have been graded (which are HOF's or High numbers)

I don't know for uniformity if I am going to crack the slabs and have it all raw, or just leave them how they are.

Who here is storing their set in a binder, who is using card savers/top loaders?

I'm getting a combination of raw/graded (not much of a factor in my choices). The better the card, the more likely I've ended up with a graded one. One of the few things where this set has been no different than others!

Top loaders and the usual storage boxes. Not a fan of binders, regardless of something's value.

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