Pre WWII Set Collectors

[Browncow75]

What complete sets to you own, and approximately how long did it take from the time you got the 1st card to the last for each set?

[t213]

I have a 1910 T212 Obak set and it took me 28 years to complete. I bought the first one (Erickson) on a local store bid-board in 1980, and didn't pick up my second until the mid-90s. Finished in 2008.

Andy

[frohme]

Mine is like Andy's.

I finished T207 in 2010. I picked up my first 4 cards (Pirates) in May 1991, but nothing until one Pirate in 2003 and one in 2006.

I more-or-less actively started the set with the first non-Pirates in July 2006 and finished it in May 2010, so 19 years, all told, but just under 5, with purpose.

--
Mike

[jeffmohler]

I own a basic set of the 1907 Dietsche Tiger postcards (including Cobb fielding). With the exception of the Cobbs, I was looking for a higher grade (EX+) set so it took me about 2-3 years.

I am going for the master set. Some of the 1908-09 Tiger postcards are very scarce, so it might take a lifetime!

[familytoad]

My two completed sets are T205 base set, (many towards the master set, too) and 1927 York Caramels. The gold borders took about 13 years and the Yorks maybe 6 years (60 card set).
I have 24/25 from E95 and will finish that one in spring 2012 if my plans work out.

I have actually stopped doing any new sets. I still have E96 and C46 underway but recently gave up hope on E90-1, Fan Craze, Diamond Stars and Batter-ups after decent starts.
Commons,short-prints and high numbers have steered me away I guess.
I am focusing back to HOFers, where my heart really lies.

Good idea for a thread, its been awhile since we talked about full sets (other than t206)...I think

I have three sets, two complete one in progress; w512 & w513 (done), and am now working on w514. Took me about a year to acquire the w512 set w/Cobb variation (at a card a month), the w513 set I finished in two purchases one purchase of five uncut strips of five and then Earl Coombs to finish it in about a month.

The w514 set is another matter. The "monster" of strip card sets (ha, ha) I began this in July 2009 and am a little more than half way done. I buy a card (maybe two) a month. At my current pace it should be done, hopefully, in 2013.

[sportscardpete]

I don't really collect sets, but I did finish an e104 type set in over a year (e104-1 blank, world champ, nadja, e104-2 blank, nadja, e104-3 blank, nadja).

[Tomman1961]

My uncle gave me his 1939-1941 Playballs in 1973 when I was 12. I did not start to fill in the holes until I was 19 years old. I completed the trio about 1995 with the 1940 Shoeless. So, did it take me 22 years? No. But probably a good 5 for the trio when I got serious. I started Diamond Stars with the intent to finish in 5 years. I am patient to pay a "low" price and all in un-graded. I have about 20 cards and 2 years to go. No high numbers. And only 1 variation, just for kicks.

[Wite3]

I completed my T205 master set minus the Hobby no stats in just under 15 years. My second t205 base set took about 4 years.

I bought a complete 1941 Playball set about 10 years ago from the original collector for $300.

I completed a S&S set about 10 years ago as well but have since sold it. Took me about 4 years to do that set but I had bought a large lot in a local auction to jumpstart it.

Joshua

[wolfdogg]

Took me roughly 4 years to finish off the N28 set in a consistent condition (all raw in around at least VG-EX up to around EX-MT....still actually need to upgrade a few but just haven't).....had 5 of th 10 baseball and just kinda decided to try to do the baseball....but I ran up on a good group of the non-baseball and bought them and the quest started...finished at the '99 National (Thanks to Terry Knouse Sr. an Jr.) with the purchase of the Caruthers.....when finished the 50 cards I had 24/50 of a 2nd set (all non-bb but with Cody and few boxers in various conditions from buying group lots and upgrading)......sold those at the '99 National....to Knouse.....probably my all-time favorite set

[rainier2004]

It took me 3 yrs to finish my 1934 goudey set....of course now I have almost a complete second set and started wondering what to do with my triples as I continue to upgrade.

[ErikV]

I completed my E95 set in nine months. All cards have been graded by
PSA and now are slabbed as either a grade 4 or 5. I was so impressed with
the quality of the set compared to other sets of the period, I researched
the company and wrote a book about the Philadelphia Caramel Company.

[HaloFan]

I built a 1938 Goudey set(the first and only prewar set I've done). Marv Owen was the first card I bought in 1993 when I was 16 years' old with no job. The last card needed was "the Beast" Jimmie Foxx that I got in 2006. Took me a little less then 13 years to do it. The cards were pretty hard to come by in the years before eBay. You wouldn't really see them at local mall shows and even in the regional ones, I wouldn't see a large quantity of them for sale. Dealers wanted a lot for the few that was available if I can remember and they could charge that because they weren't that common. That and I was a kid when I started.

Craig

[Browncow75]

Wow Guys, Those are some pretty impressive sets! Lots of focus and dedication there. After my recent collecting "mental breakdown" lol (see my previous frustrated ramble of a thread if you dont know what Im talking about), I have decided to FORCE myself to pick a direction, and stay with it. I seriously considered giving up, but lots of positive suggestions made me realize how much I love the hobby.
I have decided to foucus on 3 sets from start to finish. Im going to try to complete the 1910 D322 Tip Top set, 1909 T204 set, and the 1914 Cracker Jack HOFer subset. Im not going to attempt any specific grade levels, just as attractive of example of each card I can afford, regardless of the technical grade. Im at 2 cards for each set so far, so theres no telling how long it will take!

[smtjoy]

I have been working on a complete Exhibit set run for about 7 years now, it consist of 24 sets of about 1500 cards total. I am at 13 sets competed and need about 200 cards. I have had an awesome time getting to know the sets and everything about the cards, I have 3 of the old arcade machines too.

I am at a point now that its real slow going and I have tried a few other sets (E120, E90-1) but I just cant seem to get excited about them and have been leaning on just going for cards I really like, mainly HOFers.