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

[jayshum]

That's great. Congratulations on completing the set.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Congrats on completion...I saw that lot yesterday too and considered sending a message also, however, the two cards I need to finish my set were lower graded than what I was seeking.

[irv]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

Out of the blue....it looks like I have completed my set tonight. Had 21 high numbers left, and a longtime ebay member (and seller of plenty of '52s recently) had just listed a complete high # lot (minus Mantle) for sale, and it was nice stuff priced at fair market value.

He was getting a lot of requests already for individual cards, so between that and my offer to work something out, he decided to take down the listing and break it up, and a deal for my 21 remaining was reached 🙂

The cards range from PSA 1 to PSA 5, but many were centered 4s and 5s. A nice way to finish things off.

Will hold off on final numbers until everything is in hand, but it looks like this journey is complete!

That's a huge 52 Topps accomplishment!

Congrats again, John.

[cardsagain74]

Thanks guys.

Larry, that's just unlucky that yours were lower grade. He had plenty that were nice mid-grade (or 3s with great eye appeal).

Only two of mine were PSA 1s from the order. I'd wanted to avoid any 1s at first, but since I'd still ended up with six high number 1s prior, it didn't really matter at this point. And there are already enough 1.5s and 2s in mine too that it doesn't make much of a difference.

May upgrade those 1s at some point, but with the price craziness at the moment, I was glad to get it finished.

[cardsagain74]

The package with the last 21 highs arrived, so it's officially complete

Also was unexpectedly able to upgrade the set's main weakness, which was the PSA 1 Hoyt Wilhelm. Got a nice deal on a PSA 3.5, which is on its way. Then I'll sell the current one, and eventually the other dozen or so low number doubles that have been acquired along the way.

The only other upgrades I'll probably fool with sometime are the other grade 1s. There are nine lows and six highs, all commons. Even if it's just to get PSA 1.5 highs or raws that'd be fr instead of pr, it'd still be nice to hold on entirely to that standard that I initially hoped for.

The final average condition was 2.7, for both low and high #s. Though the weighted average (and how the set "feels"), is a little nicer than that, since the cadillac cards are 3s, Campy/Reese/Mays/Bart average a 3.5, and most of the top low # HOFers are 4s or 5s.

Every low number common is raw, while most key lows (and all highs, except a handful of commons) are graded, mostly PSA.

It's been fun logging the progress here, and doing so led to completing it faster (and more efficiently) than I ever expected, thanks to the help of some forum members filling some of it in!

407/407

Avg overall condition: 2.7

Avg cond of high # keys: 3.1

Avg cond of low # keys: 4.0

Top 10 cards w/ grade:

311 Mickey Mantle: 3
407 Eddie Mathews (R): 3
312 Jackie Robinson: 3
261 Willie Mays: 3.5
314 Roy Campanella: 4
392 Hoyt Wilhelm (R): 3.5
333 Pee Wee Reese: 4
332 Tony Bartirome: 2.5
1 Andy Pafko: 2.5
400 Bill Dickey: 2

[LincolnVT]

Must feel so good to have all 407. I'm looking forward to it one day.

[Natswin2019]

Originally Posted by cardsagain74

The package with the last 21 highs arrived, so it's officially complete

Big congrats on the achievement!

[bks14sr]

Congrats on your completion! Now you just need errors and variations. Let the hunt begin, again 😁

[Gorditadogg]

You should upgrade them now to NM or better.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by bks14sr

Congrats on your completion! Now you just need errors and variations. Let the hunt begin, again 😁

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

You should upgrade them now to NM or better.

[LincolnVT]

With a lot of 1952 Topps cards getting increased attention as of late, I'm interested in what people think a basic complete 1952 Topps set (407 cards) would sell for if each card was in a PSA 1 holder? Thoughts on this?

[Exhibitman]

About $40K depending on the eye appeal of Mantle, Mays, Mathews, Wilhelm, Robinson, etc. You'd be better off breaking the set for sale.

[LincolnVT]

No intention of selling my cards as of now...just interested in people's thoughts on a straight PSA 1 set of 407.

[LincolnVT]

Im thinking 40k for the basic (407) set in 1 holders might be a pretty good deal these days.

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

About $40K depending on the eye appeal of Mantle, Mays, Mathews, Wilhelm, Robinson, etc. You'd be better off breaking the set for sale.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by LincolnVT

Im thinking 40k for the basic (407) set in 1 holders might be a pretty good deal these days.

Unless it's a 1 that's really beat up, that's true. Especially for PSA 1s.

When logging some data today, I noticed that the Mantle was almost exactly half the cost of the set (practically down to the dollar). Couldn't have done that if I tried.

Though that's not a good reference point for future set builders (given the push in Mantle prices since that $5.2 mil sale)

[LincolnVT]

I'm thinking a straight PSA 1 set (all 407 cards) would fetch 70k+ these days with a decent looking Mantle, Mays, Robinson and Mathews...what do others think?

[LincolnVT]

I almost forgot to add that I just reached 407 / 407! It's been a really fun adventure working to sell, trade and buy from and with a lot of different folks. My low number run consists of about 175 cards that were handed down to me from my father figure who passed unexpectedly last year. He had a lot of cards but he always saw the 1952 set as the greatest group of all time and the set as unreaceable. I'm happy to have compleated the set in his honor. 1 -- 310 are pretty nice Good -- Ex...mostly VG...311 -- 407 are Poor -- Good for the most part some a bit nicer. All cards are raw except for a decent PSA 1 Mantle (which I feel is undergraded), a decent PSA 1.5 Mays, a decent PSA 1.5 Robinson and a really nice PSA 2 Mathews. Took two generations to build it, but we did it right within our means. Now my kid gets to do the upgrading down the road...unless we get some really interesting offer. Love this set! ❤️⚾️

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by LincolnVT

I almost forgot to add that I just reached 407 / 407! It's been a really fun adventure working to sell, trade and buy from and with a lot of different folks. My low number run consists of about 175 cards that were handed down to me from my father figure who passed unexpectedly last year. He had a lot of cards but he always saw the 1952 set as the greatest group of all time and the set as unreaceable. I'm happy to have compleated the set in his honor. 1 -- 310 are pretty nice Good -- Ex...mostly VG...311 -- 407 are Poor -- Good for the most part some a bit nicer. All cards are raw except for a decent PSA 1 Mantle (which I feel is undergraded), a decent PSA 1.5 Mays, a decent PSA 1.5 Robinson and a really nice PSA 2 Mathews. Took two generations to build it, but we did it right within our means. Now my kid gets to do the upgrading down the road...unless we get some really interesting offer. Love this set! ❤️⚾️

Ethan, congrats again on finishing the set! I still find it cool that the last card you got was the last card in the set, and the Mathews you picked up is incredible for being a 2.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by LincolnVT

I almost forgot to add that I just reached 407 / 407! It's been a really fun adventure working to sell, trade and buy from and with a lot of different folks. My low number run consists of about 175 cards that were handed down to me from my father figure who passed unexpectedly last year. He had a lot of cards but he always saw the 1952 set as the greatest group of all time and the set as unreaceable. I'm happy to have compleated the set in his honor. 1 -- 310 are pretty nice Good -- Ex...mostly VG...311 -- 407 are Poor -- Good for the most part some a bit nicer. All cards are raw except for a decent PSA 1 Mantle (which I feel is undergraded), a decent PSA 1.5 Mays, a decent PSA 1.5 Robinson and a really nice PSA 2 Mathews. Took two generations to build it, but we did it right within our means. Now my kid gets to do the upgrading down the road...unless we get some really interesting offer. Love this set! ❤️⚾️

Congratulations on your completion.....must feel good to have that last/final card in hand.

I recently picked up the #406 Nuxhall card, ironically this card was my 406th unique card meaning just 1 more to go....314 Campy.

With the price of the keys (Mantle, Mays, Jrob, Mathews) still apparently not at their ceiling yet, $70K for a PSA 1+ type set with nice eye appeal seems very reasonable these days.

[NYYFan63]

Originally Posted by LincolnVT

I almost forgot to add that I just reached 407 / 407! It's been a really fun adventure working to sell, trade and buy from and with a lot of different folks. My low number run consists of about 175 cards that were handed down to me from my father figure who passed unexpectedly last year. He had a lot of cards but he always saw the 1952 set as the greatest group of all time and the set as unreaceable. I'm happy to have compleated the set in his honor. 1 -- 310 are pretty nice Good -- Ex...mostly VG...311 -- 407 are Poor -- Good for the most part some a bit nicer. All cards are raw except for a decent PSA 1 Mantle (which I feel is undergraded), a decent PSA 1.5 Mays, a decent PSA 1.5 Robinson and a really nice PSA 2 Mathews. Took two generations to build it, but we did it right within our means. Now my kid gets to do the upgrading down the road...unless we get some really interesting offer. Love this set! ⚾️

What an awesome accomplishment! Congrats! I started my collection a couple years ago...I’m up to ~ 120 cards with a couple doubles. I have tried to focus on centered cards which is a tough task. Congrats again!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cardsagain74]

That's great that you completed it

I'd guess a PSA 1 set with a decent Mantle would probably be worth about 65-70 k, yep (just a loose quick calculation)

[bobsbbcards]

Congratulations, Ethan!!!

[ALR-bishop]

A significant accomplishment. Wonder how many full sets are out there

[irv]

Way to go, Ethan!

That's one heck of an accomplishment!

[LincolnVT]

Great question, I was wondering the same thing. I have seen a lot of partial sets and 1952 large groups out there, but it is rare to see a complete 407 / 407 available for sale or trade.

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

A significant accomplishment. Wonder how many full sets are out there

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

A significant accomplishment. Wonder how many full sets are out there

While there are 26 407 card sets currently showing as complete on PSA's regular set registry, my guess is the total number of complete 407 card sets (raw, graded, both) is 10 to 15 times what shows on the registry, or 300-400 total.

There have been multiple threads discussing the populations of high number cards (both raw and graded), so based on estimates in those threads, 300-400 total sets seems inline.

Of course for Al, a "full set" includes all possible variations plus the regular 407 card set....my estimate of the number of "master" sets in existence would be 5 or less.

[LincolnVT]

Good company to be in. I'm already thinking about making some upgrades...nice to know that I can have that to focus on. That said, my entire set could be upgraded 😊.

[irv]

4 more highs to add to my set.
31 to go and counting.

It's not too often you find CDN sellers selling 52 Topps cards, let alone highs, so I went after these after I got outbid on a Campy and Wilhelm card.
Sure would have loved those 2 but there were more eyes on them than I anticipated.
Regardless, and although these cards aren't without issues, I am glad I was able to snag these 4.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by irv

4 more highs to add to my set.
31 to go and counting.

It's not too often you find CDN sellers selling 52 Topps cards, let alone highs, so I went after these after I got outbid on a Campy and Wilhelm card.
Sure would have loved those 2 but there were more eyes on them than I anticipated.
Regardless, and although these cards aren't without issues, I am glad I was able to snag these 4.

Nice pick ups Dale, good luck with the last 31. The end is near.


Finally hit my paydirt last week:

https://www.psacard.com/psasetregist...blishedset/100

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

While there are 26 407 card sets currently showing as complete on PSA's regular set registry, my guess is the total number of complete 407 card sets (raw, graded, both) is 10 to 15 times what shows on the registry, or 300-400 total.......

Of course for Al, a "full set" includes all possible variations plus the regular 407 card set....my estimate of the number of "master" sets in existence would be 5 or less.

You for got add "...for Al that includes an unopened pack of cards..."

Also, Larry I think there are a number of variations in the '52 set that are known but not publicized yet.

Dale - nice pickups

[Cmvorce]

Timely thread for me. This weekend on eBay and with some online sellers one thing led to another and before I knew it I’m now up to 78 cards in the set. I guess that means I’m officially in. Wish me luck.

[irv]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Nice pick ups Dale, good luck with the last 31. The end is near.


Finally hit my paydirt last week:

Thanks, and congrats on completed your set! That's a big accomplishment.

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

You for got add "...for Al that includes an unopened pack of cards..."

Also, Larry I think there are a number of variations in the '52 set that are known but not publicized yet.

Dale - nice pickups

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Cmvorce

Timely thread for me. This weekend on eBay and with some online sellers one thing led to another and before I knew it I’m now up to 78 cards in the set. I guess that means I’m officially in. Wish me luck.

Always glad to have another 52 Topps collector on board. It's a great set and is a fun set to put together.

Good luck!

[jasonc]

Actually those are nice looking cards, Dale... They have good eye appeal.
and they're high numbers, always an accomplishment to get those!

[irv]

Originally Posted by jasonc

Actually those are nice looking cards, Dale... They have good eye appeal.
and they're high numbers, always an accomplishment to get those!

Thanks Jason!

I was actually surprised, when I received them today, how white/clean the borders/cards are. The sellers scans did not highlight them well enough, imo, to show this.
I know a lot of members say their cards look much nicer in hand, (and I'm one of them) as my printer, as I've said before, makes mine look darker as well.

[cardsagain74]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

Of course for Al, a "full set" includes all possible variations plus the regular 407 card set....my estimate of the number of "master" sets in existence would be 5 or less.

Plus (as just mentioned) the unopened pack. Oh and a wrapper, display box, deed to the house Mantle grew up in, and a chip of paint from every corner store that sold '52s back then

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by irv

4 more highs to add to my set.
31 to go and counting.

It's not too often you find CDN sellers selling 52 Topps cards, let alone highs, so I went after these after I got outbid on a Campy and Wilhelm card.
Sure would have loved those 2 but there were more eyes on them than I anticipated.
Regardless, and although these cards aren't without issues, I am glad I was able to snag these 4.

Dale, those are some nice looking high numbers. Good luck with the quest for the last 31.

[irv]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Dale, those are some nice looking high numbers. Good luck with the quest for the last 31.

Thanks, Jay.

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by Cmvorce

Wish me luck.

Luck.