Ramblings of a barely coherent man . . .Whither the Sets: I've officially migrated from a set collector to a team collector. My 1971 Topps wantlist has been gathering dust for several years now, ever since I completed my 1972 Topps set. Fact is, I have more interest in collecting Phillies cards from the last four decades than I do in tracking down high-numbered '71 cards of Skip Guinn and Bob Moose. I'm not currently collecting any of the few 2010 releases, nor do I plan to collect any. However, at some point I'll track down the Phillies base cards and a few Phillies inserts from the 2010 releases.
This isn't to say my set-collecting days are kaput. My Dad has been throwing out hints he'd like to go after the '75 Topps Mini set, but I'd go 10 years further back - to 1965.
Fare Thee Well: It appears as if Upper Deck will not produce any more baseball cards. I had wanted to pontificate upon this development in a lengthy, spell-binding post, but it's hard to write about something you just don't give a rip about. Upper Deck's offerings from the past several years have left a lot to be desired, and I'm not convinced they'll be missed. That being said, I'd love to see some upstart baseball card company receive a license from MLB Properties. Topps has shown no signs of letting its monopoly compromise its baseball card products, but a little competition is always a good thing. (Has Goose Joak thought about going after a license?)
Jim from Downingtown was Right: Richie Allen's 2004 Topps Fan Favorite card is a better looking card than his regularly issued 1965 Topps card. If Night Owl decides to start a petition for Topps to bring back the Fan Favorites set, I'll be the first to sign it.
Is it opening day yet?
That sounded pretty coherent. That is a nice vintage card. I like the big Trophy, which was highlighted recently by the Night Owl. I'll sign that petition by the way.
ReplyDeleteDo petitions work on Topps? If so, I've got some door-knocking to do.
ReplyDeleteSo we are back to the one set era. I think this could be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI've actually started a blog (http://ultimateset.blogspot.com) recently documenting my project of creating a single set for the years with more than one card set. This is helping me clean my attic by getting rid of redundant cards.
I say start the petition. Stranger things have happened and who knows - you may even end up with a 1975 Topps-style card in the set.
ReplyDeleteKevin - I'm looking forward to tracking your progress with the 1981 Ultimate Set. 1981 is the first year I vividly remember collecting baseball cards and each Topps, Fleer and Donruss card from that year is burned into my brain.
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteNot one set, one manufacturer. Now that they are the only game in town, Topps will probably flood the market with all manner of "must-have" (in their opinion) sets.