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

[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!

[irv]

I wonder if we are watching/bidding on the same seller?

I noticed these cards quite a few days ago just searching around so I decided, based on those current bids at the time, to save quite a few in my watch list in hopes of maybe being able to win a few?

Like you guys, I was quickly outbid and was quite surprised to see the final prices realized.

Converting the price of these cards to CDN dollars then adding in PayPal's cut, making it even worse, it looks like I will be staying away from trying to collect any high number/value cards for a while yet.

Good luck guys.

[Republicaninmass]

Napolean BLOWNapart on last nights auctions.

After sales tax, and ending prices...I'm just not valuing these cards high enough. Time to rethink the tactics.

Btw ever see high numbers at card shows? They are even higher than Ebay, and the one or two dealer that have a few, claim most sold right away

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Napolean BLOWNapart on last nights auctions.

After sales tax, and ending prices...I'm just not valuing these cards high enough. Time to rethink the tactics.

Btw ever see high numbers at card shows? They are even higher than Ebay, and the one or two dealer that have a few, claim most sold right away

Our money might be better spent on the research and development for building a time machine, that will transport us back to 1952 where we can buy up these cards. I think this would be cheaper!

[ALR-bishop]

Or if you believe the story you could just hijack the barge before it dumped it's load

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Napolean BLOWNapart on last nights auctions.

After sales tax, and ending prices...I'm just not valuing these cards high enough. Time to rethink the tactics.

Btw ever see high numbers at card shows? They are even higher than Ebay, and the one or two dealer that have a few, claim most sold right away

I barely even bothered last night. Between who was bidding on the high numbers (and how), it had the feel of both dealers who knew they could easily mark something up a good bit (and sell that item quick), combined with probably some experienced collectors who were ok with paying up to finally get their hands on what they needed.

Not a good spot for those of us looking to get prices we wanted, that's for sure.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by irv

Converting the price of these cards to CDN dollars then adding in PayPal's cut, making it even worse, it looks like I will be staying away from trying to collect any high number/value cards for a while yet.

Good luck guys.

For awhile I wondered if the prices on my screen for them were in Japanese Yen.....

[cardsagain74]

Kluszewski. Nice grade 3-4 card bought for barely more than a beater. Even though Klu often sells fairly cheap, still, just the kind of pickups I want to find.

Looks like the rest of the high numbers are tonight. First one I see:

"VG+ to VG/EX, has 6 or 7 small indentation holes in bottom edge"

Current bid with an hour left in the auction: $99.00 already

88/407

[irv]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

For awhile I wondered if the prices on my screen for them were in Japanese Yen.....

LOL.

PM coming.

[cardsagain74]

# 397 Forrest Main bought

I don't even know what a Forrest Main is, other than the fact that it had a lifetime ERA of over 5.00. But it is now the first '52 T high number I've ever owned. The fact that it's a Pirate makes it even better.

Don't understand how it happened, either. This was one of the seller's very nicest commons out of the whole lot. Clean, corners of a grade 4, and impossibly perfect centering that makes its true value an easy 5.

Yet I got it for $114, basically the same price that all his creased ones went for.

Maybe everyone turned off their Allegro for a minute

89/407