General Forum

I had gotten a box of mixed cards in trade and saw a set I hadn't seen before. And loved the base and inserts! Me being a sucker for set building challenges, it's one of the few sets I started working on from the first card I saw without ever buying the first pack. The set is 2011 Topps Lineage, simple design and I love the inserts like the minis(love the colors) and cloth sticker cards(I can't wait to get one!)to name a couple. So my question is this. What set do you like that you started from scratch, and why?

I started and completed the 1968 Topps baseball set.  My wife bought me the 1968 Nolan Ryan rookie card years ago for my birthday which also was the year I was born.  I thought it would be interesting to have a complete set for that year so the project began.  It took me about three years to complete.  I have since worked on the Topps Base sets from 1969 to present day which I completed earlier this year.  Fun project!

Well, I could not decide on just one because I am working on both of them right now so this is my best answer. The 2016 Panini Classic Football Set and The 2013 SeleBaseball Set. Both of these are monsters if you are working on the Master Sets like I am. The Classic Football alone when I am done will have close to 1700 cards (Yes 1700 cards) that is with all the variants, colored backs, autographed cards, and subsets. The 2013 Select Baseball is a challenge but not a simple build at all. You have your base set of 100 base cards and when you add the auto's you have a total of 250 cards. So my answer would be both of these sets right now. I also buy a Topps Factory Baseball Set each year from Target. 

I have to go with 1990 Topps. Greg Brock and Jeff Robinson were the first two cards I've ever owned and I've worked on completing the set.

1976 SSPC baseball is a set I've been gradually accumulating. I'm not necessarily trying to complete it at this point, but I may try someday as I get closer to having them all just by buying them for fun.

I have a few of these cards, and it's a cool set, but it's littered with errors. (for example, "Noland" Ryan)

I'm not aggressively pursuing any certain sets right now. Close to finishing a few but taking my time. I forgot to mention other sets I've started from scratch, like 07-08 Goudey and a few DK sets. My problem is money for mailing!!!!

I'm a set builder by nature, so my first thought is always about completing the set. 

1988 Leesley Bigfoot has been quite a challenge. The first set that I began my collection with, in 1988...I am still trying to complete it. Did a box, did not finish the set, but have more than five copies of some cards. Very frustrating. Next year marks 30 years trying to complete this one 100 card set.

I really wouldn't know how to define "building a set from scratch" universally since, to me, it is relative to the set.  I like to put together sets where it makes economic sense to do so.  I don't build sets from packs under any circumstance because I have never found an instance where that would make economic sense. 

In terms of building my favorite sets, we're talking about 1987-1991 Topps baseball.  To me, buying a complete set from that era is building from scratch.  Actually, I'll usually buy 3-5 complete sets at a time and work on upgrading my primary set when I'm in the mood.  I might buy wax cases of the stuff only if the price per card ratio is comparable to what I can get buying complete sets or 500-card vending pack lots.  In that case I'm just trying to support the reduction of available unopened material inventory.

I only sets that I put together card by card are pre-1968 sets.  I put together 1968-1979 sets with large large lots.  1980-present sets are purchased complete.  I consider upgrading the same thing as building for lower valued sets because I already have them all.