1952 Topps Project

[Vintagevault13]

Since I began collecting in the mid-70s the 1952 Topps cards have always seemed a little mythical to me due to their place in history as Topps' first set and "THE MANTLE". I realize many think the 52s are overrated and that there are better sets, but this set just absolutely fascinates me. I have collected other cards through the years, but always avoided the 52s because I felt they were out of reach for a collector on a budget. Despite this, I never lost my obsession with these cards and have decided to begin my "bucket list project" - the 1952 Topps set (VG or better). I am 48 years old and realize if I am going to begin this on a limited budget I need to begin as this will take a number of years.

To tackle the task, I am taking an unusual approach. I am trying to complete the low number set, #1-310, but may decide to tackle the high #s later. That is down the road a few years. I have broken the set into "mini sets" by collecting a series at a time. This keeps the goal more attainable and I can enjoy milestones along the way. At the beginning of January, I began my quest. To date, I have acquired #s 1-10 as well as Gil Hodges. My goal is to complete the first series, 1-80, in 2014. I am trying to get black backs, but will buy a red back if it is a good deal. I am not consumed with getting both back variations.

I don't see many threads about the 52s so there may not be much interest, but I will post updates as I proceed through my journey. I welcome any suggestions or comments from fellow 52 fans or collectors.

[ALR-bishop]

That is a great project and a good plan. There are several older threads in here on the 52 set and there are several 52 collectors on here, including me. But, it is not Topps first baseball set. Even ignoring the baseball subset to the Topps 1948 Magic Photos, Topps had 5 baseball sets in 1951--the Red and Blue back game cards, the 9 set Team cards and the Connie Mack and Current All Star sets. Still many people consider the 52 set the first true Topps baseball set

Good luck on your quest

[ALR-bishop]

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ght=topps+1952
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ght=topps+1952

[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

That is a great project and a good plan. There are several older threads in here on the 52 set and there are several 52 collectors on here, including me. But, it is not Topps first baseball set. Even ignoring the baseball subset to the Topps 1948 Magic Photos, Topps had 5 baseball sets in 1951--the Red and Blue back game cards, the 9 set Team cards and the Connie Mack and Current All Star sets. Still many people still consider the 52 set the first true Topps baseball set

Good luck on your quest

Al,

Thanks for the encouragement and sharing the pics. Your collection absolutely amazes me. I have learned a great deal from your posts that share items from your collection. I actually considered trying the 51's, but I enjoy reading the backs of cards as must as looking at the fronts. Love the story of Sy Berger from Topps gathering data and writing the backs of the cards in his living room.

[ALR-bishop]

There was a neat thread on Collectors Universe ( PSA) where folks "built" a 1952 set by posting pictures of each card in order

[Vintagevault13]

Here are scans of my cards so far. I have bought the #10 Rosen and #20 Loes but haven't received them yet.

[ALR-bishop]

Ed---you ought to keep posting them here as you add them

[darkhorse9]

This is the absolute right way to do it (one series at a time) and exactly the way I assembled my set collection of 1954 - today. I go series by series. I've just started the 1953 Topps set and have about 1/2 of the first series 1-85

I'm facing a decision on 1952 as well. Do I do Bowman with the knowledge I can complete that, or go with Topps knowing I will stop at 310 and that it will never be complete?

Keep us informed as to how you're doing.

[Volod]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

That is a great project and a good plan. There are several older threads in here on the 52 set and there are several 52 collectors on here, including me. But, it is not Topps first baseball set. Even ignoring the baseball subset to the Topps 1948 Magic Photos, Topps had 5 baseball sets in 1951--the Red and Blue back game cards, the 9 set Team cards and the Connie Mack and Current All Star sets. Still many people consider the 52 set the first true Topps baseball set

Good luck on your quest

Have to love your enthusiasm, Ed. If it continues through the high numbers, i think you will have the task licked - or, at least, thoroughly tasted. Al makes an excellent point, but, i wonder how many of those "many people" are in fact just Mantle fans who dismiss any set that does not include the great idol. On the other hand, i have not seen many collectors describe the '56 set as Topps' "third" set just because the two previous did include him...so, why the extreme prejudice against the '51's? If Topps had thought any rookies worthy of a card that year, would Mantle's Redback or Blueback command a higher price than his second year card today, or, would most still overvalue the '52?

[Zach Wheat]

Interesting point Steve. I have always categorized my collecting habits as a Topps set collector first, a Mantle collector second, and then other sets last.

FYI it has taken me as long to collect 1-310 + variations as it has the high numbers. I am now perhaps 17 high numbers away from a complete set. But as I am sure Al will point out I am still missing a few variations .

Collecting the major variations is another consideration. They can set you back as much money as the high numbers. I have the Campos red star / black star and a few others....but a ways to go on other variations. And I will never complete the 60 mid series gray backs.

Z Wheat

[autograf]

Great, great set. I started in early 2013 collecting the set and am at 280/310 on the low numbers and 6/97 on the high numbers. I'm doing both red/black backs on the 1-80's as well and have (41) redbacks, (63) black backs and 73/80 from that run. I'm trying to do crease free VGEX to EX or so without completely breaking the bank. Have bought a few large lots and sold off dupes to help finance my set.

High numbers are REALLY tough. Tough to find centered and crease free without spending $175-$200 for them. Cheapest one I've gotten is about $90 and most expensive is $175. I have most of the HOFers in the low run except Berra and Mays. Mays seems tough in nice shape and centered too.

I still have 30-40 dupes I'll try to organize and put back on the BST. I've sold a ton of them there in the last 3-4 months.

I've collected for 30-35 of my 47 years and done pretty much everything EXCEPT Topps sets. That changed last year as I completed 1960,1961,1968 sets and this 1952 set and have near sets of 1959,1963,1965,1970,1972 just about done all since about February last year.

Not sure I'll ever finish up 1952--especially given an uncreased Mantle would START at $10-$12K probably. In the single life, that was not a tough number to swing but with kids in college and in diapers and some in between, $12K doesn't pop up that often!

[ALR-bishop]

Kids in diapers, college and in between.... Tom--that's more impressive, and maybe more expensive , than your impressive card collection

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by autograf

Great, great set.......I've collected for 30-35 of my 47 years and done pretty much everything EXCEPT Topps sets. That changed last year as I completed 1960,1961,1968 sets and this 1952 set and have near sets of 1959,1963,1965,1970,1972 just about done all since about February last year.

Not sure I'll ever finish up 1952--especially given an uncreased Mantle would START at $10-$12K probably. In the single life, that was not a tough number to swing but with kids in college and in diapers and some in between, $12K doesn't pop up that often!

Tom, that is pretty impressive run, completing all of those sets. At times though I bet it seems you would want to trade a kid or 2 for a crease free Mantle!

Best wishes.

Z Wheat

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Good luck. I think the 52s are pretty good looking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Vintagevault13]

Wanted to post my latest pickups as I continue working on my 2014 goal of obtaining cards 1-80. A big "thanks" to board members "111gecko" (Rizzuto, Loes) and "Republicaninmass" (Staley, Groth, Glaviano) for incredibly smooth transactions. I now have #s 1-11, 20, 25, 36, 56, 61, and 79 (21% toward my goal after just 2 months).

[mattsedate]

Originally Posted by Vintagevault13

Since I began collecting in the mid-70s the 1952 Topps cards have always seemed a little mythical to me due to their place in history as Topps' first set and "THE MANTLE". I realize many think the 52s are overrated and that there are better sets, but this set just absolutely fascinates me. I have collected other cards through the years, but always avoided the 52s because I felt they were out of reach for a collector on a budget. Despite this, I never lost my obsession with these cards and have decided to begin my "bucket list project" - the 1952 Topps set (VG or better). I am 48 years old and realize if I am going to begin this on a limited budget I need to begin as this will take a number of years.

To tackle the task, I am taking an unusual approach. I am trying to complete the low number set, #1-310, but may decide to tackle the high #s later. That is down the road a few years. I have broken the set into "mini sets" by collecting a series at a time. This keeps the goal more attainable and I can enjoy milestones along the way. At the beginning of January, I began my quest. To date, I have acquired #s 1-10 as well as Gil Hodges. My goal is to complete the first series, 1-80, in 2014. I am trying to get black backs, but will buy a red back if it is a good deal. I am not consumed with getting both back variations.

I don't see many threads about the 52s so there may not be much interest, but I will post updates as I proceed through my journey. I welcome any suggestions or comments from fellow 52 fans or collectors.

What about the Topps 1951 Red Backs and Blue Backs.

[Vintagevault13]

Originally Posted by mattsedate

What about the Topps 1951 Red Backs and Blue Backs.

The 51's are cool but I really don't consider them a baseball card set in the modern sense in that the backs don't contain stats/info (just my opinion). One of the things I enjoy about baseball cards is reading the backs. This gives a great feel for the era that they were produced.

By the way, welcome to the forum.