Bigger lifetime project: '52 through '85 Topps and '51 Bowman sets

arcadekrazy · #1 04-27-2020, 10:12 PM

Good luck with your project. To answer your question, I tried that as well. Most of the 80s stuff I had because that�s when I started collecting. I�ve been working on a 52 tops set off and on for years. The one thing which got to me was the building, card by card, of the 70s sets. I found it quite off-putting. I bought 76-79 complete, and built 73-75. Almost finished 72 before I threw in the towel. I just lost interest. And then the thought of building the 60s sets. Ugh. Basically the same reason I haven�t finished the 52 set - I�ll go at it hard and then wonder why I�m trying to outbid someone by a few dollars for some no name player from a set that came out 25 years before I was born. Throw in the fact that there is no way I�m dropping 30+ grand on a mid grade 52T mantle.

Those are the pitfalls I�ve come across. To avoid burnout, and this is my .02 cents, you may want to pick up a complete set here and there.

That said, I wish you the best of luck and hope you accomplish your goal. I�ll happily monitor your updates.

cardsagain74 · #2 04-27-2020, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcadekrazy

To avoid burnout, and this is my .02 cents, you may want to pick up a complete set here and there.

That said, I wish you the best of luck and hope you accomplish your goal. I’ll happily monitor your updates.

Thanks for the good wishes. Other than the '52 and '56 (and only cause I already have half of that one including Mantle), I can't imagine the extra cost and burnout from building much else.

Complete sets from the '70s are way too reasonable to find. And the '54 and '57 to '69 aren't that bad. Even the ones with the worst realistic break-up value (relative to that set's typical cost) from those years, the '60 through '66 except the '63, are still less cost-effective to build. Especially in my case, since I don't already have any cadillac '57 to '69 cards except for the '57 Mantle.

Though since I also have the '57 Frank Robinson and Drysdale, maybe I'd have some fun with that one and build it, especially if I could find a good deal on Brooks. But that set is fairly top heavy, so we'll see

Harliduck · #3 04-27-2020, 11:54 PM

Yep...been smack in the middle of this project for about 8 years now...

Started by rebuilding a childhood memory of building the 1969 set and took off from there. Took stock of what I had in my childhood collection from the 80's...and just bought the sets I needed, that was cheap. So I have all the Topps, Fleer, Donruss base 80's sets to 1990.

Then the 70's...I had the 78 and 79 from childhood...took the time to upgrade those sets (cheap) and bought the 75, 76, and 77 in mint as whole sets. Well, 76 and 77...my 75 kinda sucks, I need to upgrade or buy a new one...anyhow, finished out 74 (for some reason I had about 70% from childhood. I then built the 70, 71, 72, and 73 sets...72 being the hardest. Had a lot of fun doing that. 70 & 80s...complete. I would say my 70's are 6's to 7's...very picky, and always upgrading (do you ever stop upgrading 71s?).

Went to the 50s next...completed 54, 55, and 57...got some killer 57 lots, one especially from a fellow who bought them himself in packs from 1957...that set had some 8's and 9's...I found this out because I did a set break to pay for an adoption we did (we now have that daughter for 6 years! Good investment...lol) and the set went for easily 5 times what I had into it and shocked me how much that sold for. Anyhow...

Jumped back to the 60's...So I quickly was able to do 68, not a hard set...then 66, then 67...hard sets...lol...then 60, 61, and 63. I also collect classic cars and had the opportunity to buy a rather rare car for the right price (1963.5 Ford Falcon Sprint) and sold my remaining 50 sets, and some of my 60 sets. That put me back a bit towards the goal...ugh.

Last year after a year off I jumped back in...almost done with the 60's (you can see my signature below) and have around 50% of the 50s waiting to be organized.

Long and short of it...yes, that is my goal to go 52-90...and it's been a heck of a journey. Lots of side tracks, lots of fun...and will be worth it. Just focusing on the 60's right now, set by set. Re-finished 1966 a couple of days ago, 3rd time I have done it. I am committed, as of now, haha....to quit selling things off. I don't sell my cars, so I am trying to hold myself to the same standard here. Certainly don't to it for profit, all for fun!

Harliduck · #4 04-28-2020, 12:02 AM

Sorry, forgot to mention...I have no interest in Bowman. I have about 200 54 and 55 cards, a few stars and such, just no interest. Maybe when I complete my Topps run I will change my mind, but I think I will simply start rebuilding 60's sets again. BY FAR my favorite. Working on my 4th 69 set, just because. I think I would like to have two of each set 60-68 eventually....

Good luck on your quest! Lots of bend in the curves...there are a few here that have this done, I've learned a TON from folks on this forum, and have picked up a lot of nice cards here through the years. Total asset this site...

ALR-bishop · #5 04-28-2020, 08:20 AM

Bowman 48-55
Fleer 1923 and 59-2007

Topps 1948 and 1951 to 2019, including unopened pack run. For Topps also all issued test sets, insert sets and supplemental sets listed in the SCD Standard Catalog through 1994, plus any SCD, Beckett or PSA recognized variations.

Now working on non recognized recurring variants and unissued test sets and doing Heritage sets 2001 to 2019. ( likely will stop those after 1972)

Good luck on your quest

cardsagain74 · #6 04-28-2020, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Bowman 48-55
Fleer 1923 and 59-2007

Topps 1948 and 1951 to 2019, including unopened pack run. For Topps also all issued test sets, insert sets and supplemental sets listed in the SCD Standard Catalog through 1994, plus any SCD, Beckett or PSA recognized variations.

Now working on non recognized recurring variants and unissued test sets and doing Heritage sets 2001 to 2019. ( likely will stop those after 1972)

Good luck on your

I'm sure plenty have told you this, but.....wow, that's an amazing accomplishment.

But at this point for you, don't the Leaf sets feel left out though?

Harliduck · #7 04-28-2020, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Bowman 48-55
Fleer 1923 and 59-2007

Topps 1948 and 1951 to 2019, including unopened pack run. For Topps also all issued test sets, insert sets and supplemental sets listed in the SCD Standard Catalog through 1994, plus any SCD, Beckett or PSA recognized variations.

Now working on non recognized recurring variants and unissued test sets and doing Heritage sets 2001 to 2019. ( likely will stop those after 1972)

Good luck on your

Sure love to thumb through your binders Al...

That sounded weird...haha.

I am not into the new stuff much, but I do want to one day pick up the Heritage sets...love those for obvious reasons and that was one heck of an idea from Topps.

cardsagain74 · #8 04-28-2020, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harliduck

Went to the 50s next...completed 54, 55, and 57...got some killer 57 lots, one especially from a fellow who bought them himself in packs from 1957...that set had some 8's and 9's...I found this out because I did a set break to pay for an adoption we did (we now have that daughter for 6 years! Good investment...lol) and the set went for easily 5 times what I had into it and shocked me how much that sold for.

It would be great to have a lot of pristine cards from the '50s or '60s for this, but from your timeline, I'm guessing the '57 lot (and any of them) were a lot cheaper back when you got those.

Now they may be more expensive than a daughter

Talking about your favorites being the '60s from your other post has inspired me to make a poll about that here in a few.

Harliduck · #9 04-28-2020, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

It would be great to have a lot of pristine cards from the '50s or '60s for this, but from your timeline, I'm guessing the '57 lot (and any of them) were a lot cheaper back when you got those.

Now they may be more expensive than a daughter

Talking about your favorites being the '60s from your other post has inspired me to make a poll about that here in a few.

The 57's was one of those "once in a lifetime" type deals, at least for me. My local card shop owner actually gave me the tip as the guy wanted to sell but didn't want to come down to his shop. 300ish different 57's, mostly commons, all pristine. From packs in 57 to his shoebox...I offered him $700, he said he just wanted $500 as he had something he wanted to buy his wife. So yeah, not going to replicate that. He was shocked I paid that. The Don Zimmer card alone went for $126 when I did the set break, the mid series went crazy...I was shocked. One person bought a majority of them and let me know that most were 8's with some 9's and a few 7s. I probably should have submitted them myself. LOL. Just not into graded cards.

One funny side note, one card came with a crease...Joe Nuxhall. That was his favorite player as a kid because he played when he was 15...and he used to look at that card a lot. I kept that one...still have it to remember that deal. sharp corners and a crease...lol.

Harliduck · #10 04-28-2020, 11:24 AM

I should add that I did ask him for permission to sell them before I did...just out of respect. When he found out it was to cover an adoption he was stoked. I don't get many "wins" with the wife around baseball cards, I certainly did that day...lol. I even let her keep the overage, she bought some nice furniture...haha.

rats60 · #11 04-28-2020, 11:43 AM

I did the complete Topps/Bowman sets plus all the Topps insert sets and most of the other test sets. Then they sat in the safe. So I sold them all to just collect a few cards, mostly prewar sets and Roberto Clemente, that I liked. Quality over quantity in the end.

bobsbbcards · #12 08-17-2021, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harliduck

...I did a set break to pay for an adoption we did (we now have that daughter for 6 years! Good investment...lol)

She's was only a six, but I'll bet she's been upgraded to a seven by this point.

cardsagain74 · #13 08-17-2021, 05:22 AM

Bob, that edit was quick but not fast enough (I saw the missed-old-bump first draft heh)

Harliduck · #14 08-17-2021, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobsbbcards

She's was only a six, but I'll bet she's been upgraded to a seven by this point.

I missed the pre edit...but yes, maybe even an 8.5....

That was a fun re-read for sure...and wow, I made a lot of progress in a year. Hope others have as well!

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