General Forum

I don't build vintage sets so I can't speak to that but I use any and every method for set building.  Here are my methods in no order of priority

1. Build them the old school way--bust some wax!
2. Buy lots on eBay (typically if just starting out)
3. Buy singles from COMC/eBay/Sportlots (usually if I need a few cards or for some of the harder cards to get)
4. Trade! It's a great way to get rid of duplicates but can take a long time.
5. Buy complete sets on eBay.  I have nothing against this method and sometimes prefer it. But will only do it if I don't already have too many cards already from the set.

The most recent set I completed was a Frankenset of 2017 Panini Encased football and 2017-18 Panini Encased basketball.  I strictly purchased cards on the secondary market and it was still a lot of fun.

It generally doesn't work for vintage, but a lot of my set building has come from repacks. When I began collecting the NBA in 1996, I had multiple local shops selling a full 200 count box for $5, and later 550 count boxes for $11. That is where the majority of my collection came from, until I started buying hobby boxes on a regular basis in 2000. I still buy the repacks at Target and I would still buy the boxes if I could. The only place I know that does them now gets more than $20 for the 550 count box but they put some rarer stuff in it too, I've gotten patches and autographs out of them. 

I've never just done one set at a time...that is a concept so foreign to me that I have no idea how to go about it. I am always working on every set I have not completed yet. (And even a few of them need upgrades or replacements for cards I lost in a flood)

I am a set collector of vintage cards.  Since you only have 50 I would start by looking at lots for sale or auction on Ebay.  I would highly recommend gregmorriscards on Ebay for commons and semi stars. He combines shipping and has 100% feedback.  I would also try card shows and sportlots.  Good luck and happy collecting. 

I am a vintage set builder. In my experience, patience is the key. Like others have mentioned, I diligently watch autions (mostly ebay) for larger lots. I try for lots that average out to $.10 - $.20 per card. You probably won't get many star cards or key rookies that way, but it is a great way to fill out commons.

I also have been very fortunate while hunting cards in flea markets and antique stores. Last summer I was able to buy about 50k cards from an antique store for under $150. Included in that lot was a 5,000 count box of vintage football. I have also purchased the remnants of a local shop through a connection made at an antique store.

About 10% of my football collection was acquired through trades on this site.

'73 Topps Football is a great vintage set to collect. It is a fairly easy set to find and no single card is so expensive that it makes completion impossible. Plus it is pack with HOFers. The toughest card for me has been Terry Bradshaw. I will probably end up buying it as single. It's Bradshaw's 3rd year card, but it seems to be his toughest card to find. It's not expensive, but I haven't seen it come up for auction very often.

HOF rookies include Franco Harris, Ken Stabler, Dan Dierdorf, Jack Youngblood and Art Shell. This set also includes affordable cards of some "greats of the game" like Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, and Len Dawson.

Good luck in your search and if you find yourself acquiring doubles, I'm always open for vintage football trades.