CamaroDMD
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I am currently working on a graded 1952 Topps set and I know it will be a life-long project. I would like to find a vintage baseball set to work on that will still be challenging, but one that I can complete of the next several years. I have put together a list of criteria I want the set to have and am trying to decide what set to attempt…I think I know what I want to do, but I would love an outside opinion or two.
Please just don’t respond with the generic yet useless “collect what you like” answer. That’s not what I am looking for. I am looking for opinions about some sets that I perhaps hadn’t considered…I want to make sure that this decision is well thought out.
So, here are the “criteria” that come to mind:
1. Standard Size Cards (I want to do a raw set in 9 card pages in an album).
2. Want a Set with as many stars as possible (Mantle is a must)
3. "Obsolete” Locations for as many teams as possible (Milwaukee Braves are a must)
4. Vertical Card Design (for majority of set)
5. Esthetic Designs
Based on the first 2 criteria, the set must be 1957-1969. The last set to feature the Braves (my favorite team) in Milwaukee was 1965…so I can cut it down to 1957-1965. The earlier, the more obsolete teams locations there are…so from that point of view earlier is better. This is especially true as only 1957 have the Dodgers and Giants in New York. The 1957-59 sets also refer to the Reds by their anti-communist “Redlegs” name.
I prefer cards with vertical design because they look better (in my opinion) in 9 card pages in a book…so that rules out 1960. 1960 is a fine set, but I just don’t care for the horizontal design.
The only years from 57-65 where I really don’t care for the set esthetics are 1962 and 1964. So, I think I would remove those too.
That leaves: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963, and 1965.
To me, each has merits and downsides. For instance, I really like 1957 having a lot of teams in different cities (Brooklyn Dodgers, NY Giants, ect) and I also like it being the first standard sized Topps set. Another nice part is I already own the Mantle. On the down side, the design is a little plain (although I do like it) and there is no Roger Maris. The Hank Aaron also has that ugly error.
Another example is the 1963 set. I love the design and the white card stock…but the rookie cards and LL cards are hideous and I just can imagine paying the price tag for the Pete Rose RC when it is so ugly.
Each set has pros and cons. To be honest, I am leaning towards the 1957 set…but I’m not 100% sure. I would love to hear other collector’s opinions about these different sets…both pros and cons and help me make sure I have considered all angles before I dive in.
Please just don’t respond with the generic yet useless “collect what you like” answer. That’s not what I am looking for. I am looking for opinions about some sets that I perhaps hadn’t considered…I want to make sure that this decision is well thought out.
So, here are the “criteria” that come to mind:
1. Standard Size Cards (I want to do a raw set in 9 card pages in an album).
2. Want a Set with as many stars as possible (Mantle is a must)
3. "Obsolete” Locations for as many teams as possible (Milwaukee Braves are a must)
4. Vertical Card Design (for majority of set)
5. Esthetic Designs
Based on the first 2 criteria, the set must be 1957-1969. The last set to feature the Braves (my favorite team) in Milwaukee was 1965…so I can cut it down to 1957-1965. The earlier, the more obsolete teams locations there are…so from that point of view earlier is better. This is especially true as only 1957 have the Dodgers and Giants in New York. The 1957-59 sets also refer to the Reds by their anti-communist “Redlegs” name.
I prefer cards with vertical design because they look better (in my opinion) in 9 card pages in a book…so that rules out 1960. 1960 is a fine set, but I just don’t care for the horizontal design.
The only years from 57-65 where I really don’t care for the set esthetics are 1962 and 1964. So, I think I would remove those too.
That leaves: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963, and 1965.
To me, each has merits and downsides. For instance, I really like 1957 having a lot of teams in different cities (Brooklyn Dodgers, NY Giants, ect) and I also like it being the first standard sized Topps set. Another nice part is I already own the Mantle. On the down side, the design is a little plain (although I do like it) and there is no Roger Maris. The Hank Aaron also has that ugly error.
Another example is the 1963 set. I love the design and the white card stock…but the rookie cards and LL cards are hideous and I just can imagine paying the price tag for the Pete Rose RC when it is so ugly.
Each set has pros and cons. To be honest, I am leaning towards the 1957 set…but I’m not 100% sure. I would love to hear other collector’s opinions about these different sets…both pros and cons and help me make sure I have considered all angles before I dive in.