What Constitutes A "Master Set" Today?

[Brick442]

I couldn't imagine a master set being possible in todays age . . . last master set I did was my 1959 Topps with all variations (errors and gray/white backs). I stick mainly to pre 1975 stuff for that reason.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Brick442

...last master set I did was my 1959 Topps with all variations (errors and gray/white backs).

Is that a set you collected as a kid?

Do you have all the insert/promo cards, salesman's sample card, the various different wrappers and display box as well?

[Brick442]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

Is that a set you collected as a kid?

Do you have all the insert/promo cards, salesman's sample card, the various different wrappers and display box as well?

No! Didn't collect it as a kid … good point, my “master” set isn't so master after all! Never heard of the salesmans sample card until now!

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by Brick442

No! Didn't collect it as a kid … good point, my “master” set isn't so master after all! Never heard of the salesmans sample card until now!

Salesman's samples weren't released in packs; they are dealer advertising items. Most people wouldn't consider them part of a Master Set, IMO. Now for the modern Topps Heritage sets, they are boxloader inserts, so they would count.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Brick442

… good point, my “master” set isn't so master after all! Never heard of the salesmans sample card until now!

I wouldn't classify the Salesman's Sample cards as part of a master set either since they weren't in the packs, but they are really neat! Here's one sample (not mine):





Moreover there were a minimum of twelve different ones!

1959 Topps Baseball Salesman's Samples

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by Brick442

I couldn't imagine a master set being possible in todays age . . . last master set I did was my 1959 Topps with all variations (errors and gray/white backs). I stick mainly to pre 1975 stuff for that reason.

I did a master run of Topps from 1948 thru 1991 (maybe 1992, I forget).

I was missing a few 1952 high numbers, and all the obvious impossible to get inserts (dice game, etc.).

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...comes-auction/

The answer to your original question is that what constitutes a master set today is the same as what constituted a master set yesterday, with the addition of anything discovered since then.

I would go so far as to say that master sets are relatively easy to put together ON ANY BUDGET as long as you have patience.

Doug