General Forum

I believe I referenced this briefly in a previous post. My collecting took a decided turn in the early to mid-90s. Up until then I collected ALL sets, nowadays that's impossible. So here is my dilemma:

BASEBALL: I need to back collect to  @the mid-90s - present but not all years. What would the BEST sets to concentrate on [only 1 maker/year] . I like Archives and Heritage Sets, so if you have a better option. please LMK. I also collect A's but no special players.

FOOTBALL: Pretty much the same with Football except Archives and Heritage sets seemed to have stopped production. So what sets are next in line? I also collect Eagles and Peyton Manning.

BASKETBALL & HOCKEY: All inventory is being sold or traded off EXCEPT HOFers, RC w/value, ERR/VAR/COR cards and logo stickers. I expect any additions will have to come from trades.

MULTI-SPORT, ALL MISC SPORTS etc. Probably same as Basketball & Hockey, I also have a Hometown Hero Collection that covers any sport to non-sports. Tatum>Gesicki>Truex>the Shirelles. I can trade or buy.

NON-SPORTS: Really any sets that catch my eye, covering all categories. So not sure what would help? Trade or buy.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: 1. ERR/VAR COR cards and sets. 2. Team Logo Stickers 3. Non-sports stickers. I also add as many Vintage cards as possible to add to my older set collections

Ambitious, YES, Impossible, absolutely not.  Budget is not a problem but time is at certain times of the year. I also have a huge start on all the above. Do you want me to signature like Commish? lol.

Please share your thoughts, ~BOB~

If people know what you want and your wantlists are up to date then it should be easy to trade for the cards you want. 

I like the vintage looking sets also. Did you say trading hockey away :) Yes please. 

Finally a signature like the commish would be a great help. 

Baseball: I'd focus on Topps Flagship, because for some of those years into the 90s IIRC that's going to be your best shot. Either that or Stadium Club if your fancy. 

That's the extent of my advise... also, watch my have lists and want lists in the near future, I'm adding a monsterous amount of cards that I've picked up to the DB

Bob,

I will start by saying it is refreshing to see that a site veteran sometimes needs advice too.  A rookie like me can be inspired that no petition for advice is beneath a collector-trader's dignity.

I think I have said it out loud whether in front of everyone or privately, but I respect your volition to do anything you want:  With prospective trade partners, I hang my hat on their want and for sale lists, and they can do the same with mine.  I believe you have explained maybe a few times, with a million cards it is tough, maybe unfeasible, to load in all your wants and FST on a micro card-by-card level. 

If/because that is the case, I only happen to be passing through the forums today.  You are very active, posting - well, what - a dozen a day?  Therefore, you throw an occasional personal categorical want/FST listing like you have done above, every now and then and hope the rest of us will notice and take the bait... and I have, and I will again, but I can't speak for everyone else.  The forum visits are only a recent development for me and I cannot possibly notice everything posted. 

It's much easier for me to scan peoples lists than to try and be creative.  It must be easier for you to throw up an occasional post than to Want/FST your entire collection.  How you find your partners and how we find you... that all just has to work itself out.  I'm sure there is no shortage, and I am honored to count myself among the prospects whatever your approach. 

I like the Commish's signature.  He and I haven't traded yet but I'm still kind of new.  Copying him couldn't hurt anything.

Be aware, when deciding on a football set, that Topps quit making football cards about 5 years ago.  If you want one brand consistently, you probably need Score, Donruss, or Contenders.  Problem with Contenders is that the Autograph Rookies are numbered in the base set.  Prestige, and Rookies & Stars are usually nice looking sets that run a little higher and have a smaller checklist than score. Usually just the best 4-5 players from each team, plus rookies. If SP cards are a deterrent, you should look over the checklist of any Panini set and see if the last 100 or so cards have an SP in the notes.

Baseball, I agree with the above who said Topps, if you're just picking one.  Fullest checklist.  Spread out over 2 series so you end up with a big set, but you don't have to buy a ton of cards at once to get them all.  Heritage is nice if you like the original set it mimics.  Heritage baseball is always the design from 49 years ago, so you know what to expect every year.  This year will be the 1970 design.  Archives are fun but have a lot of retired players, which you may not want.

For baseball, I would recommend Topps for player inclusion and complete stats, but the last couple of years Topps doesn't have complete statistics, Heritage is the only current baseball set with complete stats. Also, The last couple of years Topps isn't giving many cards to backups or relievers; just stars, vets, and rookies. Heritage has a much more inclusive checklist. If you want cards of all players, check out Topps Total and Upper Deck 40 Man from the mid-2000s. They were large sets with most (all?) active players.

Honestly, it's personal preference. What you collect is entirely up to you. I collect literally everything, casting a wide net knowing that completion is truly impossible, but some people collect only one specific person or team, or card brand, etc. There's no wrong way to do it, and there's no reason at all you can't change your mind and do something else later.

I don’t know very much about what’s best but in baseball I’d say the easiest would be Topps. Easy doesn’t necessarily mean you should collect it. However if is easy is a plus then go for that.