Baseball cards have been around since the late 19th century and collecting them is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages. Building a complete baseball card set or full collection can be a very rewarding experience for any serious collector. It does require dedication, patience, and a willingness to spend time and money searching for those hard to find cards to finish off a set.
One of the most popular sets for collectors to try and complete is the iconic 1952 Topps baseball card set. This set features all 16 major league teams from that season with each team having a roster of 5 starting players on the cards. In total there are 217 cards in the 1952 Topps set, making it a challenging but very satisfying endeavor for any collector looking to check off every single card.
Some of the biggest challenges with completing a 1952 Topps set are finding the high value stars and short printed cards that are scarce. Examples include the Mickey Mantle card which in near mint condition can fetch tens of thousands of dollars. Other expensive cards include the Willie Mays, Ted Williams, and Whitey Ford rookie cards. Beyond the stars, there are also several short printed teams like the St. Louis Browns that are difficult to locate.
Patience and persistence are key when hunting for the harder to find cards to finish a 1952 Topps set. Collectors will need to check auction sites regularly, attend card shows, and inquire with local card shops for potential leads. It may take years to track down some of those pricier short printed cards, so it’s important not to get discouraged during the hunt. Networking with other collectors can also help by spreading the word of want lists.
Beyond just the chase of completing a set, acquiring and caring for vintage cards from the 1950s is a history lesson in itself. Examining each player close up and learning about the teams, stats, and careers through the cards helps bring that era of baseball to life. Topps cards from the 1950s also played a role in popularizing the modern baseball card collecting hobby.
For collectors seeking a slightly more attainable full set to work on, the 1972 Topps baseball card release is also a very popular choice. This set features 660 total cards and includes stars of that era like Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Nolan Ryan. While it contains more cards than the 1952 set, the 1972 Topps cards are generally more abundant in the marketplace and affordable even for the star players.
Completing a 1972 Topps set is still no small feat though. It will require sorting through thousands of duplicate cards, carefully checking want lists, and being strategic about trading and purchases. The scarcer cards tend to be those featuring players from teams that struggled or had smaller fan bases. Examples include the expansion teams like the Padres, Expos, and Royals. Finding high quality, centered copies of certain short printed players can also prove challenging.
For collectors, seeing that final card slip into their binder and knowing they now possess a full set provides an enormous sense of pride and accomplishment. Displaying a completed vintage Topps set is a sight to behold and a true testament to dedication. The research, hunt, and assembly process also deepens one’s knowledge of the players, designs, and history captured within the cardboard. While expensive for some sets, building a full collection is a rewarding quest that can be enjoyed across generations of collectors.
Whether choosing to take on the challenge of the classic 1952 Topps set or the more modern but still impressive 660 card 1972 issue, completing a full vintage baseball card collection is a pursuit that any true fan of the card hobby can appreciate. It combines the thrill of the chase with the preservation of sports history and memorabilia in a very tangible way. With commitment and strategy, any collector can cross the finish line with a prized complete set for their collection.
