Can Someone on a Small Budget Complete an E97 Color Set?

Hey Guys,
Im talking low condition, of course. Other than the Sullivan Boston Variation, are there any other "stoppers" to complete a set? Ive read Blair's post from a few years back and just wondered if anything has changed since then. Please feel free to post any nice examples you have! Thanks!

The Keeler is a toughie. I've been looking for an affordable low grade one for years but they never seem to show up. Really like the way that card looks with the sweater and solid yellow background.

I say the answer is no! There are a handful of e97 variations that are exceedingly difficult...in addition to the keeler. I think you could easily put together 70% of the set but will become quite frustrated with the almost impossible to find variations...nichols(either one) for example!

Additionally the set is kind of devoid of stars...and depicts an erroneous cy young(which will cost a pretty penny)...not a whole lot of appeal there in my book!

To clarify my answer...budget aside...if one had all of the money in the world...completing the set with all of the variations would not be easy...unless one of the big auction houses happens to be selling a whole set!

You don't like Cy (Irv) Young?

I think there are only 3 HOFers in the set - namely, Keeler, Kelley, and "Young" (in name only).

ullmandds wrote:I say the answer is no! There are a handful of e97 variations that are exceedingly difficult...in addition to the keeler. I think you could easily put together 70% of the set but will become quite frustrated with the almost impossible to find variations...nichols(either one) for example!

Additionally the set is kind of devoid of stars...and depicts an erroneous cy young(which will cost a pretty penny)...

I agree with the comments copied above...whether there is much appeal to the set is a subjective matter. I sort of like the set for its oddity. But I agree that many collectors would be loathe to shell out big bucks for a tough set with very few star players depicted.

This set would be a huge challenge on a small budget.

IMO the lithography on e97's is superior is to that of most of its contemporaries. Especially the monotone background sets like E94/E98. When you hold a e97 in your hand, the color and detail really pops out at you. With that said, the set is definitely devoid of stars. That's the major drawback of e97. Besides the Keeler, Kelly is just "meh" and Cy is Irv. That's pretty damn weak.

One thing I've also noticed is that while E97's are a step up in scarcity from the entry level sets, they seem easier to find in in mid-high grades than most caramels. I wonder if the pop reports reflect that speculation.

What other "completeable" E-card sets do you guys like? Im sorta thinking E106s, but havent made up my mind. I want something challenging, attractive, and available enough to be able to aquire them on a regular basis, without being as common as T205/6s. A set that in a few years, when its complete, I can be proud to make the accomplishment, that not everyone else in the hobby has. Any suggestions?

I agree Ben, the lithography on e97's is awesome...compared to some other issues of the era...no doubt about it!

Brandon...E106 is a pretty good choice from a scarcity/availability standpoint...although from my experience the lithography isn't all that great on them.

You're requirements make this decision difficult...maybe e92 subset(pick one of the backs)...e93,e96, e101, e106 would be my recommendations...although each except e96 contain top tier HOF'ers which eventually will cost you!

Good luck!

Thanks Guys!
What do you think about the 1915 Cracker Jack set? More available than 1914 (too much so to consider challenging?), attractive, with lots of HOFers. The main problem I see myself having is aquiring the Jackson. Opinions?

1915 CJ...great set...tons of hof'ers and great poses...not too sure if this set would qualify as a "budget" set...but budget is relative I suppose!

CJs have a been a hot set for the better part of a decade with no signs of cooling off. Even beaters don't come cheap anymore.

sabrjay wrote:CJs have a been a hot set for the better part of a decade with no signs of cooling off. Even beaters don't come cheap anymore.

Also quite a big set...so more expense there. Almost any E-set will be a lot scarcer than T206 and T205...maybe the only exception is CJ.

For a guy on a budget, I'd say pick a smaller E-set (30-50 cards) that appeals to you (some good suggestions have been given in this thread) with no scarce common players (at least then your "splurge" will be on a Cobb, Wagner or Matty...not an unknown). Your progress on such a set will probably be pretty regular through the first 2/3 of the set, and then is likely to slow down while you hunt for the last examples you need.

Good luck!

I suggest finding the set that you like the most, and then if you cannot afford to complete the entire set, just do a subset. Choose a certain team or league, or just the Hall of Famers, etc. That way when you're finished you won't have to sell but can still work on a different section of the same set if more money comes your way. And if not, you still have an awesome subset!

jbonie wrote:I suggest finding the set that you like the most, and then if you cannot afford to complete the entire set, just do a subset. Choose a certain team or league, or just the Hall of Famers, etc. That way when you're finished you won't have to sell but can still work on a different section of the same set if more money comes your way. And if not, you still have an awesome subset!

Great suggestion!

a hof CJ subset is great if you have money to pull it off.

i would not suggest the e97 set if you don't have patience or love for no name guys like kroh, dygert, heinchman, etc.