1963 Fleer. As tough as it gets.

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Posted By: Joe Brennan

I enjoy this forum and commend Leon for starting it for the serious football collectors that also enjoy pre war baseball. I became a football collector because I grew up in Buffalo, N.Y. that lacked a pro baseball team. I was lucky enough to be old enough to remember the early years of the AFL. I know I've told this story before, but I just like to hear myself talk.
The 1963 Fleer set was Fleer's last year of football before they lost the contract to the Philadelphia Gum Company. The cards in this issue are absolutely beautiful. To me the Topps issues of the same years (60,61,62,63) pale compared to the colorful Fleer issues. This set has some of the greatest AFL and for that matter All-Time football players in history. Rookie cards of Len Dawson, Lance Alworth and Nick Bonticounti command high respect on the market. This issure was burdened with horrible centering problems that when found centered high profile cards command huge premiums. The Bonticounti sells in the $800 range in a PSA 8 when found problem free. The Alworth card is so hard to find centered that a number of high profile collectors still do not have a worthly example in their collection. Other highlights of the set are Jack Kemp, 2 SP's, Keith Lincoln, Don Maynard, George Blanda and too many more to list. One card that is almost impossible to find centered is the NNO checklist. I personally have never seen a perfectly centered example. The 89 cards in the set makes this a set that collectors can register with PSA and have fun completing unlike modern 400 or 500 card sets. As you can see I am partial to the Fleer sets and completed mine in 2007. It is currently registered under 2dueces on the PSA site. It will remain as one of my favorites. I hope you enjoyed the read and urge collectors to tell us something about their favorite sets in the near future. It would be a great addition to everyone's knowledge and will help keep this board active. I firmly believe that football has always and will always take a back seat to baseball, but is slowly gaining the respect that it deserves.

In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.