I recently got the collecting bug again, after a 20 year gap. Wanted to get back to set building and decided to start with the sets my Dad collected as a kid. The '53 Topps set was his most complete (over half) and had most of the non-high number star cards (except Ford), so I thought I'd start there. I am in the process of reclaiming my collection from my parents house and doing inventory, so I should have some stuff to trade in a month or so.

Over the last several months, I've added about 40-50 cards, mostly through eBay and a few online dealers, including the Ford, and several high numbers (including the Gilliam.) I'm down to 82 cards left, with Mays being the big one (probably the last card I'll get). The Podres is the only other $100+ card I'm looking for, although I still need a number of low and high numbered short prints that come close. I'm generally trying to collect mid-grade (Ex, Ex-Mt). Not really concerned with graded vs. non-graded. The condition requirement is more to keep consistent with the quality of the cards I inherited from Dad.

I went a little nuts today and bought 16 cards from a dealer, bringing the magic number down to 66. I won't be able to buy any more for a while, most likely, but I'll be looking to trade around the beginning of April.

In any case, here are the 66 I still need:
6, 9, 10, 31, 32, 35, 38, 42, 61, 72, 75, 80, 84, 87, 92, 93, 94, 107, 115, 146, 160, 164, 167, 191, 213, 221, 222, 225, 227, 228, 229, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 242, 244 (Mays), 246, 249, 250, 251, 252, 254, 255, 256, 257, 259, 260, 262, 263 (Podres), 264, 265, 266, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 276, 277, 278, 279

I guess self-restraint is not one of my better qualities. Picked up a PSA 5 of the Early Wynn card (#61). That brings the number to 65.

Self-restraint still a problem. I picked up 6 more over the weekend.

Got the Kiner (191) as well as the Roe high number (254). Also, the Hutchinson short print (72) and a few othes (Hegan - 80, Minner - 92, Scaborough - 213.)

That brings the number to 59. Here's the new list:
6, 9, 10, 31, 32, 35, 38, 42, 75, 84, 87, 93, 94, 107, 115, 146, 160, 164, 167, 221, 222, 225, 227, 228, 229, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 242, 244 (Mays), 246, 249, 250, 251, 252, 255, 256, 257, 259, 260, 262, 263 (Podres), 264, 265, 266, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 276, 277, 278, 279

I got a fever... and the only prescription... is more vintage baseball cards.

Seriously, I was a little better this week, but picked up 3 more, including 2 high numbers. Got the Jackie Jensen (#265), one of my dad's favorite players from his Red Sox days, as well as a pair of Bobs (Milliken, #221, and Hooper, #84).

The magic number is now 56.
6, 9, 10, 31, 32, 35, 38, 42, 75, 87, 93, 94, 107, 115, 146, 160, 164, 167, 222, 225, 227, 228, 229, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 242, 244 (Mays), 246, 249, 250, 251, 252, 255, 256, 257, 259, 260, 262, 263 (Podres), 264, 266, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 276, 277, 278, 279

Three more down. The magic number is now 53 (how appropriate).

Bought a couple of the low number short prints, Sam Janes (#6) and Smoky Burgess (#10). Then picked up Danny O'Connell (107), one of the few DPs I was still missing. Just need 15 more from the first three series and I'll have all high numbers left.

The new list is... 9, 31, 32, 35, 38, 42, 75, 87, 93, 94, 115, 146, 160, 164, 167, 222, 225, 227, 228, 229, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 242, 244 (Mays), 246, 249, 250, 251, 252, 255, 256, 257, 259, 260, 262, 263 (Podres), 264, 266, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 276, 277, 278, 279

Been going a little nuts. My number is down to 38 cards. Only 4 non-high numbers. Also, finally got my collection in order and will be offering some vintage FB and BK soon in trade.

Anyway, the 38 cards still needed are:
87, 94, 164, 167, 222, 227, 228, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 242, 244 (Mays), 246, 249, 250, 251, 252, 255, 256, 257, 259, 260, 262, 263 (Podres), 264, 266, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 276, 277, 278, 279