I've always been a fan of 1957 Topps. It's the first Topps set that features real color photography, and its unobtrusive design gives the feel of Polaroid snapshots from the game as it was at the time. Plus it's the first Topps set to use now-standard dimensions, so you don't have the size issues that are sometimes a hassle when putting together older sets. I believe it's also the first set to feature full career stats on the back, something I appreciate.
I've picked up a few cards here and there over the past few years, mostly from vintage common bins at the card show or the cheapest I could find on COMC. And back around the time I first started blogging, I bought a beat-up Mickey Mantle on eBay, so at least I have one of the big names out of the way. A couple notable cards checked off courtesy of traders are Whitey Ford and Hoyt Wilhelm.
As the poor condition of the Mick will tell you (still wasn't cheap!), I'm not being at all picky about condition with my set. Any condition accepted! I won't rule out upgrading someday down the road, but it definitely won't be a priority any time soon.
The set is just 407 cards deep, so after the 752-card monster I battled not long ago that is 1971 Topps, this one seems like a cake walk, at least as far as quantity. As far as quality, there are some pricey cards in there such as Ted Williams, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, etc. Plus rookie cards of Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Don Drysdale to name a few.
My list shakes out to 417 cards after including the unnumbered checklists and Bazooka contest cards (not sure if I'll bother with these ultimately, but I've included them for now), and one error/corrected variation.
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| Plucked from PCs. |
Anyways: my 1957 Topps spreadsheet.. feel free to take a look and please let me know if you've got any cards I need and want to see about maybe working out a trade. Thanks!
Beat up or not, the fact that you own a 60 year old Mantle card makes me want to grow up to be just like you. (Although, I'm fairly certain you're younger than me.)
ReplyDeleteAwesome set, the photography is incredible. So glad that Topps got in one set of full-color photography before the Dodgers (and Giants) moved, a lot of cards I've seen have Ebbets Field in the background.
ReplyDeleteI only have two cards from 57 Topps (both graded) but I'll check COMC for some singles you need, as a "trade" for the customs we discussed.
This is such a fun project! Best of luck Gavin! Should be a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteTotally jealous of this endeavor - good luck!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if it's something you'd be interested in, but burlssports.com does vintage set breaks. I think they are really cool...just thought I'd pass it along. Not sure when the next 1957 break is.
ReplyDeleteThere's a certain honesty about this set with the simple photography. Cards today are a loooong way from that! Perhaps that's the reason vintage appeals to me more all the time. Good luck Gavin!
ReplyDeleteWonderful set that will a great project for you. I've been a debate with myself for a long time over the '57 versus the '61 as my next goal.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the chase.
'57 Topps rules! I really don't get why this set isn't more popular. The Hoyt has always been a favorite of mine, as it's the only card I've ever seen of him as a St. Louis Cardinal. I'll keep an eye out for anything I can help you out with along the way.
ReplyDeleteI recall that the 1957 Topps was one of the hottest sets in the 1980s...probably because in the 1980s, guys getting back into collecting at around age 40 or so grew up with that set as the one of their childhood. It will be fun to watch your set build!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever get back to Orland, I'll see if my vintage guy has some 57 at 3 for a buck. I think it's mostly 60's in his bin, though.
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