How do you collect sets?

If you are a set builder, how do you go about building your sets? Do you track down the HOFers first? Do you try to buy a large group of cards first? Do you fill your holes with anything and then upgrade them later?

I personally like to start off with buying a large group of cards from the set then filling in the holes with whatever I can afford and worry about upgrading later. I do tend to track down the HOFers and tough cards first as they are expensive enough already and waiting on them just means they are going to get even more expensive. Commons going up in price a few dollars is easier to handle than watching Matty jump another $100.

Jay

I am not a set builder...but...the one set I have practically completed...e90-2...which is quite small...I started with a common...bought the wagner...then had an opportunity to buy 9 for a great price...so I did...then filled in the last few with a little help from my friends.

I would think acquiring a large group first would be ideal...then fill in as you can.

Like many, I try to get bunches of lower grade cards first then build up from there. Then give up I'm more of a type collector, but have attempted a few sets....e93, e96, t205 mainly.

With T216's, I pick up anything I see (common, HOFer, partial cards, etc.) that I can afford at that time. Because if I pass on it, there's a good chance that I may not see another example for a long time.

ullmandds wrote:I am not a set builder...but...the one set I have practically completed...e90-2...which is quite small...I started with a common...bought the wagner...then had an opportunity to buy 9 for a great price...so I did...then filled in the last few with a little help from my friends.

I would think acquiring a large group first would be ideal...then fill in as you can.

hmm pete. let's break this down ...you have practically completed an e90-2 set (12 cards), so you're not there yet. you got started with a common (1)...bought a wagner (2)...bought 9 more (11)....then filled in the last few (few is more than a couple, so at least 3 (12-14)). by my count you're on your way to a 2nd set . something don't add up here

You're quite the detective Quan.

I collect sets anyway I can. 10 years ago I started buying T206 hofers only and then filled in the commons after. Glad I did that way with that particular set since they were so cheap back then.

I usually trade my tougher types and hof cards for groups of cards that go towards sets or look for a group that I can use to start the set.

I got real lucky with T207s and once bought a group of about 80 which had some tough cards in it. With other sets like m116, i've just gone one at a time with a few smaller groups here and there. Rewarding way to do it, but hard.

A couple years ago I tried to get all 120 E98s. For that set, I just put everything else aside and only traded, bought, and sold for purposes of accumulating those cards. Didn't quite make it, but got really close.

Sets are fun, but think of all those types I've traded away. Wow!

Rob

The first time I tried to collect a set was in 1983 with the '83 Topps. I got pretty far in before realizing that I'd have to have zillions of duplicates in order to complete the new set. Then the '84 Topps hit the shelves and the 83 Topps were gone.

That was the last time I tried to complete a set. By the way, I was eight years old in 1983

For pre-war sets, I hunt for Hall-of-Famers first (but pick up commons when I can along the way for a good price). I'd rather be left at the end needing only commons to complete the set.

Quan...so my math isn't what it used to be... ...maybe that lot of 9...was really 7...yeah...that makes more sense!!!

I am a set builder, about 5 years ago I decided to make a run at a full exhibit 1921-66 run. I started by getting some big lots of the easy late series 47-66 and 62-63, on the 1921-38's I managed to pickup a couple 4-6 card lots but most have been purchased one at a time, I decided to focus on my favorite 1929-30 and just pickup deals on any (common or HOF) others that I found. About 3 years into it I changed my plans and started putting more effort into getting the scarce years (1923-24, 1926, 1931-32, 1933 and 1938) and sp's (26-29 plain background, 39-46, etc) first and thats how I am still working on the sets. I just really enjoy the feeling that each year I am moving towards my goal of finishing these sets.

I have completed 7 sets-
1929-30, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1947-66, 1962 Black, 1963

I have only three sets that are less than 50% complete-
1923-24, 1925, 1926

I expect to have them all completed in the next 10 years other than the 1926 which is next to impossible.

Hi Scott,

How many cards total is the Exhibit run?

Lee

What makes the 1926 set so tough? Is that the one with PCL players?

Jay

The total I am going for is 1385. It does not include the 1928 PCL set. I am not sure why the 1926 set is so hard but its many times harder than the rest. In 5 years I have 13 1926 cards out of 128, ouch.

Here is my list-

	Set	Have	Need
1921	65	61	4
1922	75	70	5
1922 EE	22	16	6
1923-24	59	13	46
1925	128	38	90
1926	128	15	113
1926-29	68	46	22
1927	64	42	22
1928	64	57	7
1929-30	32	32	0
1931-32	32	17	15
1933	16	8	8
1934	16	16	0
1935	16	16	0
1936	16	16	0
1937	16	15	1
1938	16	13	3
1939-46	83	74	9
1947-66	341	341	0
1962 B	32	32	0
1962 R	32	31	1
1963	64	64	0
	1385	1033	352

not bad. About 75 % complete on a huge project.

That's actually amazing. Nice work accumulating that many and finishing several years.

Do you have them displayed somewhere? I've collected 28s and the PCL exhibits are super hard, but I believe doable. Not that you need another exhibit set to go after...

Very nice collection!

Rob

smtjoy wrote:The total I am going for is 1385. It does not include the 1928 PCL set. I am not sure why the 1926 set is so hard but its many times harder than the rest. In 5 years I have 13 1926 cards out of 128, ouch.

Here is my list-

	Set	Have	Need
1921	65	61	4
1922	75	70	5
1922 EE	22	16	6
1923-24	59	13	46
1925	128	38	90
1926	128	15	113
1926-29	68	46	22
1927	64	42	22
1928	64	57	7
1929-30	32	32	0
1931-32	32	17	15
1933	16	8	8
1934	16	16	0
1935	16	16	0
1936	16	16	0
1937	16	15	1
1938	16	13	3
1939-46	83	74	9
1947-66	341	341	0
1962 B	32	32	0
1962 R	32	31	1
1963	64	64	0
	1385	1033	352

Scott,

My hat is off to you. You and I have had this conversation before, after ten plus years I have a sum total of 21 '23-'24s and I have been seeking the Bottomley for years and years. In the same period of time I have managed to accumulate three 1926s.

Thanks for the kind words everyone, its been a lot of fun so far.

I have considered someday adding the 1928 PCL along with the 1925 Champions, 1948-49 Champions, 1953 Canadian and the 1948-52 Football exhibits.


Its funny, I have been the under bidder twice on two large 1925 lots and have passed on a bunch of them so I'm not too worried about this set.

I have passed on some of 23-24 but I cring to think of getting some of the HOFer like Bottomley, overall a very tough set. I did manage to land the Ruth last year and I am still thrilled to have marked it off my list but had to pay dearly for it.

You just dont see any 1926, its not like I have even had the chance to win any as they just dont come to market. Lipset sold a set 3 years ago, mid to low grade sold for 24K over $200 a card, ouch. The 1933 are about the same to get as 1926 but there is only 16 to get )

yea a large group at first is always best. also stick to your guns and don't overpay, most likely you'll see the card being offered again in a few months. enjoy the journey and don't look ahead to the destination. (it's hard to be patient tho)