General Forum

My apologies if this has been asked before.  Just started back up after finding my cards from 30+ (yikes!) years ago at my parents house and am fairly new to organized card collection... but catching the bug for sure.

When building a complete set is it the norm to include the original error card or the correction... or both?  What about with variations?

I suppose the real answer is probably "whatever you want"... but I am assuming there is a general standard.  In those cases where I have them I will most likely keep/collect both, however I'd still like to put together a "complete set" in a binder, and then at the back of the binder (or separately) have my collection of inserts and such that also came with that set.

As I build my sets in the binders (using the TCDB checklists), I am trying to leave the gaps where my missing cards will go.  For now, I am just leaving a spot for the corrected card and initially I will put whatever version I get there (error/correction)... but ultimately the goal would be the corrected version in with the set, and then the error would go in the back along with variations and inserts.  The set would be considered "complete" when all the corrected versions of the cards were collected. 

Thanks,

Mark

Actually, you were right.  The answer is "whatever you want".

Some collectors want everything.  Some want just the "a" version.  Some just one of each number. 

So whatever works for you is the right answer

"Whatever you want" is correct. Some set-builders want all versions of each base card to complete their set, but some only care to have one card for each card-number. Then there are some who want only the ERR version or only the COR version for their set. Then you get to the current VAR and SP (or SP/VAR) cards and it's exactly the same.

Personally, my set is complete if I have one card for each number in the set. It doesn't mean I won't attempt to get other versions of the same base card, but the set is complete without them. It's all about personal taste.

Thanks, appreciate the responses...that's essentially what I have been doing.. basically I am going to make sure I have one of each item and then my "active" search will shift to more casual.  I guess I was just wondering if the guy (or gal) off the street came up and said "I have the complete 1969 Topps set" you might generally know that for all practical purposes that means they have a specific set of cards.

... or if I have the error card and the corrected card and I wanted 1 of the cards to be together in series in the set and then the other card in the back along with inserts etc. what would be considered standard practice. 

My plan at this point is to create a binder with 1 of each number.  however, if I end up with multiple cards, then the corrected version will end up in the series and the errors and variants and inserts etc. will be in the back of the binder.

Like I said, I knew what the answer would probably be, but just getting started I thought there might be some sort of default to start with until I start getting more opinions of my own and clarify some of my collecting goals.

Thanks again,

Mark

Mark, I do my binders exactly as you describe.  One spot for each number.  Other versions at the end, as well as parallels.

The generally accepted terminology is a complete set is one card of each number and a master set is all errors and variations. I do mine pretty much the way you are. I try to get all of them but once I have a “complete set” I don’t try very hard to get the rest. Too many others to chase down! I’m not sure if you’re entering your cards in the database but if you do you’ll notice in the upper right it will show how many cards you have in the set. You can see what percentage of the set and master set you have. Also if you’re interested there’s an active trading community on here to help fill in those gaps!

I too keep my sets in binders  w/ what insert sets I like  and/or just the Phillies for a insert set if very large.

As for what makes a set  Older sets  I want the commond card in set   and  variation in back of the album with a card size piece of paper in a page pocket labled  ei  2007 TOPPS VARITIONS.  

For what it's worth, and I'd say that's a fair amount -- on this site, if you have one of every number, it shows you as having 100% of the set. That's how I collect. One of every numbered card. If I stumble into some errors, I'll keep both versions of the card, but once I hit that 100%, I'm done with that set (except to go back and admire it every few years) and never look for another card in the set.

Enjoy!

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