1956 Topps Additions

This is the final batch of my recent acquisition posts. No, this is not another one of my near set completion posts. 56T is not one of those sets I expect to be reporting near completion status anytime soon. A few years ago, I could have purchased Banks, J.Robinson, Aaron, Clemente, Berra, Koufax, Mays, Feller, and Ford for $10-$40. Now that these cards have skyrocketed, I'm missing too many key cards to really get anywhere on this set unless the prices come back down. I'm currently missing 25 cards out of 240 (+2 including checklists). I guess I'm 1 card from 90% completion. I don't know that I'll be able to get 5 of the 9 cards listed above (plus Mantle). It's not like I completely neglected going after deals, but I focused on other sets, so by the time I made it to 56T the Boom Era II had already begun. Anyways, here are 3 new additions.  

 

1964 Topps Set Countdown

 Even more exciting than my progress on 63T from yesterday, is my progress on 64T today. With the following three acquisitions, I'm now down to 1 missing card from the 64T set. I think what's happened over the past 10-15 years is that Topps re-introduced artificial high numbers to get collector used to the concept again. Until 1973, cards were released in series that collectors tended to lose interest in by the time the final series came out. Perhaps the season was over or another season had begun. With the artificial high numbers of modern day, it seems that all vintage high number have skyrocketed as well. Less than 10 years ago, the tougher high numbers included 52T, 53T, 61T, 62T, 67T. Although 63T was a little tougher, 64T was barely noticeable regarding high numbers until now. The following 3 cards are $8-$10 cards that would have cost me $1-$2 ten years ago, but they cost me $7-$8 today. Anyways, just waiting on #541 Phil Niekro RC to complete this set.

 

1963 Topps Set Countdown

I guess it's okay to begin my countdown towards 63T completion now. The follow 3 acquisitions bring my set to within 11 cards from completion. I don't plan on purchasing a #537 Pete Rose RC, so I will be calling this set complete at 575 out of 576 cards. It's a nice round number, and I'm only 10 cards away. The highest book value of those 10 missing cards is only $30, so it shouldn't be difficult to find this within the next year. Though I used to be able to find these $30 cards for $3.00-$4.50, prices have risen to the point that they're now asking $12 for them. I've been holding out for $5-$6, so it may take a little while.

 

2018 Tri-City Valleycats Championship Ring & Banner

 In 2019, the Houston Astros (short-season A) minor league farm club released a replica of their 2018 championship ring. The Tri-City Valleycats was practically coming off a championship decade, having won the league championship in 2013 and 2010 as well as division championships in 2015, 2014, and 2012.  After the 2019 season, the Valleycats would never play under the banner of the Astros again.  The 2020 season was cancelled, and then the 2021 season resulted in the Valleycats losing their minor league affiliation. This ring they gave out was HUGE, and looks very realistic.  Thought I'd share  

The banner has at least 25 signatures from the season ticket holder party prior to the start of the 2019 season led by Ozney Guillen (son of Ozzie Guillen). The banner contains nearly all (if not all) of the players who started that season. 

Another Completed Set: 55B

      It's been a long time coming for 55B, but that day is finally here. The unobtainable TV set has been obtained. Unbelievable! I got the key cards before the current card boom of the 20's, which I first started noticing around 2016. Anyways, here's the final component for my 55B set. 

 

1953 Bowman Color Essentially Completed

With the acquisition of Bobby Morgan #135, my 53B Color set is now at 159 out of 160 cards. Mickey Mantle will never be a part of this set, so as far as I'm concerned it is complete.  I also acquired a Floyd Baker #49, bringing my 53B B&W set up to 55 out of 64 cards with only 9 more to go.