General Forum

Hypothetically, you are a set collector wanting vintage all the way back to the beginning of Topps.  Your collection already boasts partial sets through the 50s and 60s, with some HoF cards already part of the sets. You also have a separate PC of HoF and a few stars from those years though this collection is lower priority than the sets.  From 1952 to 1957 you are missing anywhere from 75% of the set to less than 25%.  From 1958 to 1961 you are doing much better but are lacking mostly high number cards.

Searching for good buys, you find an ad listing 1600+ cards from 1952 to 1961.  There are pictures with the ad that show some of the stars and HoF cards that are included though probably not all of them.  Condition is listed as a few Pr to ExNM.  The ad does say that some of the cards had been glued in a scrapbook therefore have paper stuck on some backs.  The ad lists the number of cards by set as 1952 - 58; 1953 - 119; 1954 - 60; 1958 - 40; 1959 - 460+; 1960 - 570+; 1961 - 500; plus a few odds and ends. The list price is $1500 (Cdn).

There is no way to determine how many cards you could use unless you get a list from the seller which he most likely will not do as the cards are not in numerical order. They must be sold as one lot. Do you buy?

I would, with the expectation that I'd likely be able to trade many of the dupes to other members for what I was still missing. 

I would, with the expectation that I'd likely be able to trade many of the dupes to other members for what I was still missing. 

I would need a count of how many have paper stuck on the backs first before making any further decisions.

"Glued in a scrapbook....." ...didn't have a bicycle to put them in the spokes?!! I gasped when I read that part. That's a tough call w/o at least knowing a bit more info. Approx. $1/ card for vintage sounds pretty good on the surface. It's what's under the surface I wonder about.

Considering the circumstances that you described about working on vintage sets, I would definitly take a chance. Sure they are probably more low end condition cards but really at just $1 a card it is worth the shot to complete the sets and worry about upgrading cards later. Of course this is all on the condition that I have the money to spend on the cards.

I'm usually a gambler, but I hesitated here. I have purchased lots similar before, however they may not have been as big, but the price was lower. Recently, I picked up @500 cards, '50s-'60s, for $300 bucks. Condition was alright, NO glue or tape. As others have said tough call.....ready cash also helps.

From a random selection, the seller estimates about 10% of the cards have old paper stuck on the back of the cards.

From what info you provided, I'd have to pass.  I'm not the lucky type so I wouldn't risk it at just over 90¢ per card.  It might be different if I could see all cards in-person.

I'd agree. I realize 1500 is "quite a few" but if I had someone interested I might take the time to at least provide some idea as to "who's who" in the lot rather than take a "stab in the dark". Surely the seller must have an idea as to the "heavyweights" in the bunch.