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Just added my dumbest want list ever


As collectors, we do some dumb stuff.

We buy cards we can't afford. We buy cards we can't store. We buy cards of players and teams we don't like just because "it fills the set." We buy $100 packs and $1000 boxes. We justify it all because "it's a hobby," which grants us permission for just about anything that passes approval from our significant other, but there are plenty outside the hobby that would say, "that sure is dumb." And under the clear light of day, I'd probably have to agree with them.

Most of the time I don't think about the reasonableness of what I do. Usually, I just ask the budget and if the budget nods its head, then I'm buying whatever card thing I want.

But I'm entering weird territory today.

I haven't actually bought anything yet, but today I posted a want list for 1967 Topps on my blog.

I feel completely ridiculous typing that.

I've mentioned many times my interest in the '67 set. It's my favorite set of the '60s, it's one of my top 10 favorite Topps sets of all-time. And a few folks here and there have gifted me with some cards from the set.

Each time they've done so, I've posted the cards half overcome with giddiness and have filled with trepidation.

The 1967 set is one of the most notorious high-numbers set of all-time. High-number cards in the set like Tom Seaver's rookie card and Brooks Robinson go for crazy prices. It's silly that I think I can complete this set. And while I keep adding more cards from the set, I continue to deny that I'm attempting to complete it.

Then just over a week ago, I received 124 needs from the set all in one shot.

Reader Jonathan sent me another cool package of cards, and the overwhelming portion of the box were '67s. He sent many more than the 124, but a few were dupes and, yes, it's insane that I now have doubles from 1967 Topps.

Adding those 124 needs to the 171 cards from '67 Topps I already had, well, that's almost 300 cards in my set! That's just about halfway. Seems like a good reason to add a want list to me.

So I did.

1967

TOPPS

1, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 35, 39, 42, 44, 45, 48, 51, 52, 58, 69, 70, 75, 80, 83, 90, 100, 112, 114, 117, 119, 120, 121, 123, 126, 130, 132, 138, 140, 144, 146, 150, 156, 158, 166, 171, 173, 174, 175, 179, 190, 191, 198, 200, 201, 202, 205, 210, 216, 217, 234, 236, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 250, 251, 255, 261, 272, 284, 285, 286, 290, 292, 294, 299, 302, 305, 306, 307, 309, 312, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 321, 322, 323, 325, 327, 329, 330, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 341, 342, 343, 348, 350, 351, 354, 355, 356, 359, 361, 367, 369, 371, 372, 373, 375, 378, 379, 380, 382, 393, 384, 385, 386, 386, 389, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 400, 402, 404, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 421, 422, 424, 425, 426, 427, 429, 430, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 443, 444, 445, 446, 448, 449, 450, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 497, 499, 500, 503, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 522, 525, 526, 527, 528, 530, 531, 533 to 583, 585 to 609

Oof. It doesn't look so bad at first glance, until you realize it's backloaded with cards from 400 on up. And then there is that "533 to 583" where I couldn't bear to type in every number. Same with "585 to 609."


Johnny Romano at the top of the post can't believe what I'm doing and neither can Bob Buhl.



Or Don Lock.

But all it takes is going through those great '67s that Jonathan did send and the ultimate mission faded into the background.



The distinctive names.



The players I know only from reading stories about '60s baseball.



The players I associate more with the '70s thanks to pulling these guys from packs in 1975.



The managers!



One of the first 1967 Topps cards in my collection -- one of those "old, old, old" cards that somehow wandered its way into my box of cards when I was a boy. And then it disappeared. But it's back!




And there were stars, too. Some of the biggest names of the '60s.

Sure, most of the cards were "off-condition," which I don't care about at all. As long as the picture is intact and the edges distinctive, I'm happy. You think I'm going to find high-numbers in pristine condition?


So, yeah, I don't see myself upgrading this checklist, because it also contains a Mick floating head and we know what those go for.

Jonathan didn't limit the package to 1967 Topps, he also focused on one of my more pressing set-building attempts.


These all serve as upgrades in my 1956 Topps set.



But this card was a need. Another Yankee down. Just Mantle, Berra, Rizzuto and the team card to go (heh).



He also found some Dodgers that were new to my collection. I especially appreciate that Nomo Finest card.


There was also random stuff, like this assortment of Ken Griffey Jr. cards that probably doubles my Junior collection. Not that I'm collecting KGJ cards, but with as many Junior collectors that are around, sometimes you feel like you need to pull your weight a little.

But easily the highlight of the cavalcade of cards was the 1967 Topps.


And there were so many more.


Did I mention that a card of Claude "Your Fly's Open" Raymond was in the package?



Or Tito Fuentes?


Or the guy who turned an unassisted triple play?

Yeah, there were only a handful of cards from the fifth series and none from that brutal sixth series. But I don't think there are a lot of people that have those cards just lying around to distribute to folks.

I don't know what was wrong with kids back then, giving up on that sixth series just because they had to go to school, or wanted to chase football cards.

Because of that, I'm putting up a want list for a set I have zero chance to complete. But I'm still going to have a great time failing.

Besides, it's actually not the dumbest want list I've ever posted. It's only the second dumbest.

The dumbest would be that want list for the 1952 Topps Dodgers.

Comments

Robert said…
After seeing this post, I know that the '67s I sent to you a while back went to the right home.

Dumbest want list ever? I think not.
Mark Hoyle said…
This set takes patience. I didn’t start out wanting to put it together. Little by little just like you I had 300+. . Just added a few at a time . Took a few yrs.
Chris said…
Wow... you're tackling '67 and '56 Topps? Good luck to you.

You have some very generous readers, btw. The Ike Delock and Tommy Byrne cards look pack fresh!
I love this post (obviously). Unfortunately, I have no doubles for you. I sold a shoebox-full of my 1967-69 doubles doubles sometime in the 1970s.

Thr multi-player cards are great. Also the Arnold Earley card.
AN UNMARKED MANTLE CHECKLIST (Either version (2). $20.00. I HAVE PLENTY OF THEM. I'M SURE WE CAN TRADE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN "UPGRADING" IT.

Your want list isn't that bad. I've been working on mine for 7 years. Here is what it looks like.


1967 TOPPS: 13, 34, 42, 45, 53, 56, 73, 82, 86, 90, 106, 198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 213, 216, 222, 224, 225, 226, 228, 230, 234, 236, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243,

244, 246, 247, 248, 250, 253, 260, 262, 272, 275, 277, 279, 283, 284, 285, 289, 292, 294, 296, 298, 300, 305, 306, 311, 315, 317, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 327,

329, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 337, 340, 345, 348, 352, 354, 355, 357, 358, 359, 362, 367, 368, 370, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 379, 380, 381, 382, 386, 387,

388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 396, 397, 401, 402, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 411, 412, 415, 417, 421, 425, 426, 427, 428*, 432, 433, 438, 439, 442, 443, 444, 446, 447, 449, 450, 452,

453, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 462, 463, 469, 471, 475, 476, 479, 483, 485, 493, 496, 498, 503, 510, 512, 516, 517, 520, 521, 522, 525, 526, 528, 529, 531, 534, 535,

536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574,

575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609.


LOL. Not a lot of difference. I do however have plenty of dupes. So if you want to trade, jlmk!
night owl said…
If I have any of these for you I'll send them off. I'll have to check.
Old Cards said…
Now these are "real" baseball cards.Good luck on your pursuit of the 67 set. A worthwhile goal for sure.

RunForeKelloggs said…
I like the way the old uniforms and hats, when present, stand out in the 1967 cards.
Base Card Hero said…
If anyone has the patience to complete this set, it's probably you. I'm still a ways away from attempting a 1960's set.

Good luck.
Fuji said…
My post for tomorrow is about a set build I never thought I'd attempt... but I'm so stoked about it. We'll never know if we're going to be able to complete it... if we don't try. Best of luck.
POISON75 said…
Mr. Owl:
I thought I let you know what I still need in my 1967s. I started making it in 1990 myself as you can see it can be a little struggle to find the missing high numbers still regardless I hope you have a better chance to complete it & I'm sure you will finish it before me.

Heres what I need still

1967 Topps:

536-Cubs Rookies(J.Niekro)

544-Indians Team

552-Ted Savage

568-John Sullivan

573-White Sox Team

580-Rocky Colavito

581-Mets Rookies (T.Seaver)

595-Cookie Rojas

597-Ted Abernathy

600-Brooks Robinson



1967 Topps Poster Inserts:

6-Mickey Mantle

GTT said…
1967 is a pretty nice set.
Bo said…
I'll take a look and see what I have for you.
kcjays said…
I love the 1967 set. I think it took me 16 years to slowly piece the set together. Of course most of that was pre-internet. I sold my one and only “big pull”, a Roberto Clemente patch card to finance the Seaver rookie. I got $200 for the patch card and think I paid $225 for the Seaver. Living in St. Louis, there have been monthly card shows here since I moved here in 1986. I would go to a show near the airport about every other month. Once there I would buy one 6th or 7th series card from a dealer each time. The (older) gentleman was very nice and would always take a dollar or two less than the $10+ price. He knew that I was putting together a set and one visit, after my usual purchase asked me how close I was to completing the high cards in the set. I told him I had about a third of the 7th series but only a few of the 6th. Even in the late 90’s it was hard to find the 6th series. He told me to come back to his table before I left the show, which I did. When I returned he handed me a stack of 67’s and told me to pick out any cards that I needed. The cards were all 6th and 7th series. I looked through about 50 cards, needing almost all of them. I set 26 aside, not having any idea why he asked me to do this. The only card I distinctly remember in the pile was the Red Sox team card. He then asked me if I had any money left from my visit from other tables. I told him I had $24 and some change. He asked me to give him the money and then said I could have to cards I’d set aside. When I protested that I couldn’t do that and it wasn’t fair he insisted that I take the cards. It was a wonderful experience and a great example of how nice some people in the hobby are. I only saw the dealer one more time and then he wasn’t at any more shows.
I apologize for the long post/comment but there aren’t many people that I can tell that story to.
The photo on that Ken Holtzman is awesome, because it's pre-basket above the ivy at Wrigley.
BTW, that is Holtzman's rookie card.
Jonathan said…
Wow, I'm glad the cards worked out. I decided to try this myself while knowing that it would be a long time before I complete it. I'm down to needing 33 cards, but they are all high numbers and I'm just picking them off one at a time on Ebay while constantly checking COMC to see if any show up on there cheaper. Maybe by this time next year I'll complete it.