New here, Please help with Topps set

[David W]

Why get vg-ex common cards graded?

It won't add any value to the cards. No set registry guys will want them.

[Niko]

I'm looking for a fun challenge. If I wanted to just put together the set raw, I could do it so easily for so little. I don't think it would be satisfying enough for me. However, grading myself (as opposed to buying slabbed) may not be the best idea. I'm still thinking that over.

[geor952]

$4.50 a card sounds like a great deal. In my experience owning the set isn't nearly as much fun as putting it together. Getting that box from PSA in the mail and seeing what grades your cards earned is pretty dang exciting and worth an extra buck or two per card. I say go for it, take your time and have fun. Keep me posted on your successes.

[doug.goodman]

No offense meant to any specific person, apologies to Nico for using his numbers :

$4 for the card and then $4.50 to some hack at a grading company to make up a number. Yep, that's why I collect cards.

Best regards,
Doug


PS - I'm 11 cards away from a master set with variations of Topps baseball 1948 thru 1981. All raw. My kitchen knife is prepped and ready, should one of the cards I need come graded.

[geor952]

No argument from me Doug, crack away. I don't pay for grades, but don't crack them either. I'm afraid I might ding up my kitchen knives. No, I really just enjoy the cards and understand the excitement that comes with getting graded cards. To each his own, as long as they enjoy the hobby!

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

PS - I'm 11 cards away from a master set with variations of Topps baseball 1948 thru 1981. All raw. My kitchen knife is prepped and ready, should one of the cards I need come graded.

A) Very impressive Doug-what do you still need?

B) My philosophy on graded cards seems to match yours as I bust 'em out for my sets too. I will only buy graded pre-war on Ebay, but they mostly get cracked out (except for the E cards). Been burned too many times with trimmed raw pre-war cards on the 'bay. I'll take my chances with post war but pre war is a magnet for card doctors even in the lower grades I trade in.

[Leon]

Welcome aboard Net54baseball.com Niko. Always good to have more vintage collectors hanging out with us. I think over time you might mosey on back to Pre-War, but it sounds like you are enjoying '55s in 5-6 grade for now. Good luck in the quest and keep us updated. Also, if you ever have any questions about our board, or want to check a reference, you can PM or email me. take care

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by toppcat

A) Doug-what do you still need?

B) My philosophy on graded cards seems to match yours as I bust 'em out for my sets too. I will only buy graded pre-war on Ebay, but they mostly get cracked out (except for the E cards). Been burned too many times with trimmed raw pre-war cards on the 'bay. I'll take my chances with post war but pre war is a magnet for card doctors even in the lower grades I trade in.

Thanx, Dave.

From the 1952 Topps baseball set I need both Mantle variations, both Jackie variations, Campy, Joe Black, Mathews and that darned Campos black star (which I'm a bit leary of, but it seems to have a space in my binder) From the 1956 white backs I need Trucks, Killebrew & Willie Jones.

As for pre-war, I still haven't really gotten into cards of that era. I am however fascinated by large sized issues, so they keep me busy. Baseball magazine M113s & M114s, Police gazette supplements and pages, Harpers and Leslies woodcuts, Tip Top Weekly baseball covers, TSN M101-1, 2, 7, 8 & 9s, etc, etc.

One of the nice things about the larger sized issues is that many of them have eluded the grading companies so they are relatively inexpensive. Also, while I agree that "mint" tends to attract me more than ripped / dirty / creased etc, the issues are often so infrequently seen that after the chase, even catching a lesser quality specimen is lots of fun. They why we do it, right? Because it's fun.

Doug

[ALR-bishop]

Doug--you are one of the few people I know who intends to add both Mantles, Robinsons and, I assume Thompsons to your set. Even though the differences in the 3 are recognizable ( particularly in the Mantle which also has front differences), I assume any publication that actually adds a Mantle variation to the "master" set list will risk a lynching. I have a graded Mantle ( 8) , but my older, ungraded "variation" card is likely only a 2, maybe a 3 on a lucky day