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

[cardsagain74]

Attempted to break the high number cherry tonight (an unusually large number of them in my target range were just up for auction). Always got sniped. A clearly creased one that looked great in thumbnails sold for the same as many better cards, so sometimes people seem to just bid on them without even looking.

I'm somewhat concerned about a bubble effect in the market. Not just for these, but in general. Not much desire to force this and spend much more at the moment than I already have on my new vintage collection. If I'm wrong and end up spending 250 a pop for these grade 3ish high numbers in 10 years instead of 100 today, so be it.

Good thing this is a lifetime project.....

[Republicaninmass]

Those highs just keep increasing. I still need a handful and got blown out!

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Those highs just keep increasing. I still need a handful and got blown out!

So you were one of those who rendered my bids insignificant

There was heavy action on those. Thing is, they still ended up being a better deal than some of the prices on beaters lately. I'd rather spend 120 on a 3.5-4 than 60 on a 1

[Exhibitman]

I am not a set guy so I don’t know the answer to this firsthand and never will but money aside how quickly could a 1952 Topps set be assembled?

[rsdill2]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I am not a set guy so I don’t know the answer to this firsthand and never will but money aside how quickly could a 1952 Topps set be assembled?

If money wasn't an option, theoretically you could complete it right now. Every card is always available on eBay or other venues. Wouldn't be very fun and would be expensive but at any one time I'd be surprised if there weren't at least 10 (probably more) of all 407 cards listed on eBay.

There's also several complete sets available to purchase right now as well on eBay.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by rsdill2

There's also several complete sets available to purchase right now as well on eBay.

Only "several" if you include Dean's Cards' different ways to buy it, and most people ignore his listings because of the prices anyway.

Other than his, there is only one complete set that is currently (or has been) offered for awhile, and that person is asking a price fit for around a grade 3.5 or 4 set, despite its Mantle being PSA 1. There have also been no complete '52 sets up for auction on ebay in at least the last three months, which is really a sign of a (lack of) availability.

So, yes, it's possible to get a set or any of the cards, but if you care about getting anywhere near a decent bang for your buck, it's a different ballgame than most (and probably all) other major post-war issue. Comparing it to any ol' group of listings for anything else does not portray the reality that most people will experience with acquiring '52 T

[egri]

My big project is from one year later, but I've had a lot of fun building it, especially at the beginning when I was writing to the surviving players and getting responses. Now new additions are few and far between, but the thrill of the chase and the other collectors I've met along the way keep me going. Good luck with your project!