Any other set builders undertaking an impossible task?

tdubs1010 · 10-05-2020, 02:17 PM

Since 2017, I have been putting together the Ginter tobacco mini Brooklyn backs, and I just love the hunt of putting them together. Being /25 if you miss the first month after release, they can be impossible to locate certain cards. I finally am over 200 of the 350 from 2017 and close to 200 on 2019... 2018 I don't see nearly as many show up.

This most recent release I am up to 60. The hobby must be doing well because I am definitely losing more eBay auctions than winning! The fun of the chase.

What sets are you all building that feel impossible, but you just absolutely love the chase and acquisitions?

Thor34 · 10-05-2020, 02:28 PM

2013 Topps Chrome Master Set w all the colored, numbered Parallels.
That's 14 separate 220 card sets.
Complete on:
Base
Refractor
Blue #/199
Gold #/50
Very close on both Purple and Orange those being retail parallels, un-numbered.

Certainly buying ones I don't have or trading to others working on the set. I've got hundreds of dupes.

tdubs1010 · 10-05-2020, 02:39 PM

Just 3080 cards haha. That is quite a set to go after!

ClevelandIC · 10-05-2020, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor34

2013 Topps Chrome Master Set w all the colored, numbered Parallels.
That's 14 separate 220 card sets.
Complete on:
Base
Refractor
Blue #/199
Gold #/50
Very close on both Purple and Orange those being retail parallels, un-numbered.

Certainly buying ones I don't have or trading to others working on the set. I've got hundreds of dupes.

You completed the gold refractor set? That is impressive!

Rom Washentum · 10-05-2020, 02:49 PM

Good luck on the chase, everyone.

I'm working on 2019 Topps factory set foilboards. It's not impossible by any means, but it's the first one even close to the size I've undertaken. I just passed 30% on the 701 card checklist. Most of the cards can be found but considering the format they don't all surface in great quantities, so hunting them for reasonable prices has been fun.

Thor34 · 10-05-2020, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandIC

You completed the gold refractor set? That is impressive!

Yessir. Cheated a bit though and bought a complete set a few years back before this set really took off.
I am guessing I'd pay 3X what I paid back then now.

Here's my current progress:

Base 220/220 Complete 100%
Refractor 220/220 100%
Xfractor 208/220 94.5%
Orange 157/220 71.4%
Purple 212/220 96.3%
Blue #/199 220/220 100% Complete
Black #/100 109/220 49.5%
Sepia #/75 90/220 40.9%
Gold #/50 220/220 100% Complete
Red #/25 93/220 42.3%
Camo #/15 60/220 27.3%
Atomic #/10 19/220 8.6%
Pink #/5 38/220 17.3%
Superfractor #/1 5/220 2.3%

ctal · 10-05-2020, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor34

2013 Topps Chrome Master Set w all the colored, numbered Parallels.
That's 14 separate 220 card sets.
Complete on:
Base
Refractor
Blue #/199
Gold #/50
Very close on both Purple and Orange those being retail parallels, un-numbered.

Certainly buying ones I don't have or trading to others working on the set. I've got hundreds of dupes.

I have orange/purple/refractors/ etc. from this year. it was the last year I collected major until coming back this year. might be able to help ya out.

bblair_2002 · 10-05-2020, 03:03 PM

The 2011 Topps Diamond and Cognac Anniversary sets were quite the challenge. Considering you have series 1,2 and Update along with the retired player SPs over all series it comes out to around 1070 cards for each set. Took me over 5 years to finish both. Luckily I got the Trouts when they were still cheap.

BBases31 · 10-05-2020, 03:04 PM

I started on the 2018 Red Sapphires but it's too annoying to see sellers sitting on cards and not budging from 3x market price even if they've had the card up for sale for a long time. Especially so when it's a guy who might never start a game in the majors again. Comes with the territory that you have to overpay and burn money doing one of these though. I'll still buy occasionally when they pop up for auction but I'm not being aggressive

tdubs1010 · 10-05-2020, 03:24 PM

That's exactly how I view it... people won't budge on prices on cards of guys who will never be heard of again in baseball, but because it's /25 it is 10x what the true value is... I guess its the fun of the chase.

To be honest part of my enjoyment of the sets I am doing is meeting people in the hobby on here or on Instagram who have cards in shoeboxes I could use, and they get to make a little bit and help in return. It is a fun journey.

rngrdanny22 · 10-05-2020, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblair_2002

The 2011 Topps Diamond and Cognac Anniversary sets were quite the challenge. Considering you have series 1,2 and Update along with the retired player SPs over all series it comes out to around 1070 cards for each set. Took me over 5 years to finish both. Luckily I got the Trouts when they were still cheap.

I bet those sets are nice.

I vaguely remember someone on here years ago was trying to finish the 2013 Update Blue Sapphire /25 set. I think those were only available in Update, but covered S1, S2 and Update cards.

Mrpokey · 10-05-2020, 03:42 PM

I'm making the 2001 Finest Baseball Refractor set /241. I'm 90% done. The hardest to find is the no name rookies

ronzo · 10-05-2020, 04:20 PM

Working on master sets of 2002 Topps 206 and 2003 Topps 205. A little over 3000 cards in each set. Probably around 80-85% complete on both.

I could probably get close to finishing them off if I bought everything available on the Beckett marketplace, but most of those prices are ridiculous for cards with such little demand. I enjoy the hunt of looking for good deals on hard to find cards so it keeps me entertained.

goldfly · 10-05-2020, 04:32 PM

i have one from the 2020 set i'd be willing to sell i think

i got a Shane Bieber one

i'm still going through the set and figuring out what i need and what i want to collect though from the 3 boxes i got

creasecollector · 10-05-2020, 04:40 PM

Kuddos to you for undertaking those back sets! Scratching another card off the list must be really fun.

tdubs1010 · 10-05-2020, 04:46 PM

It is a grind. I think there are a couple other guys on here who are into the Ginter minis especially the parallels. Checking them off the Excel spreadsheet is very fun. Checking my PayPal is not.

YouTheManNick · 10-05-2020, 05:06 PM

Man. Some really cool stuff you guys are going after.

My impossible quest is a subset... but still very much impossible.

Since 2013 I've been chasing the printing plate set of 2013 Topps Archives 1990 design only.

I love the 1990 design and I like printing plates (used to love 'em but have kind of moved on). Anyways. At the time I thought it would be a fun chase and seven years later I'm still going.

I only have plates for 17 different cards. Some of which I have 2-3 plate colors of.

These days they almost never show up... but every now and then one will pop up. I've added two this year.

I've missed out on both David Ortiz and Felix Hernandez because I underestimated just how high player collectors were willing to bid. Those two misses always bum me out.

After missing on those two I made a decision that I would not let any more get past me. Even if I have to severely overpay.

Otherwise, I've pretty much gotten every single one that's come available over the past few years.

Triphunter · 10-05-2020, 05:10 PM

Been trying to finish 2012 topps museum canvas collection /10 or AP. Missing the ones in my sig.

scott1234 · 10-05-2020, 05:18 PM

I'm working on 2015 Bowman purple ice /50 there is 300 in the set, 150 veterans and 150 prospects, need 22 to finish, been working on it since they came out.

tdubs1010 · 10-05-2020, 05:45 PM

You just wonder how many of the set cards you need are sitting in a box or drawer... I know for my chase a whole lot.

NYBBFAN · 10-05-2020, 05:47 PM

2011 Topps Heritage red/blue/green tints. Very close to completion.

Thread here if anyone wants to help:

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1358786

ZappBrannigan · 10-05-2020, 05:50 PM

Since 06 Legendary Cuts Chronology GU Set - almost done with this, haven't updated image bank for a few years.....but have paypal ready for these...

Robinson GU /10 ( heard wasn't made)
Hoyt Wilhelm jersey /sp
Gil Hodges bat/sp
Honus Wagner jersey /10

mfw13 · 10-05-2020, 06:26 PM

Although not a baseball set, I was the first person to complete the 1977 Topps Mexican Football set.....took me 26 years (from 1977 to 2003).

Current "impossible" baseball sets I'm working on are the 2013/14/15/16 Heritage Minis.

Also working on the UD Hockey Heroes auto set....they're each #/15 and the set was released over multiple years, so cards are very hard to find.

scott1234 · 10-05-2020, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

Although not a baseball set, I was the first person to complete the 1977 Topps Mexican Football set.....took me 26 years (from 1977 to 2003).

Current "impossible" baseball sets I'm working on are the 2013/14/15/16 Heritage Minis.

Also working on the UD Hockey Heroes auto set....they're each #/15 and the set was released over multiple years, so cards are very hard to find.

Wow that's impressive on the Mexican set! Congrats on that 1, Haha 26 years wow. Must have been pretty satisfying finishing that 1. Do you have any estimate how many there are of those?

corockies · 10-05-2020, 06:43 PM

I built the entire 200 card 1998 Leaf Fractal Materials Die Cuts set. (50 total sets possible). Many HoF '90's players have cards #ed /50 in it.

Also built a complete set of 2004 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Turn of the Century (100 total sets possible).

10-05-2020, 02:17 PM	#1
tdubs1010 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 761	Any other set builders undertaking an impossible task? Since 2017, I have been putting together the Ginter tobacco mini Brooklyn backs, and I just love the hunt of putting them together. Being /25 if you miss the first month after release, they can be impossible to locate certain cards. I finally am over 200 of the 350 from 2017 and close to 200 on 2019... 2018 I don't see nearly as many show up. This most recent release I am up to 60. The hobby must be doing well because I am definitely losing more eBay auctions than winning! The fun of the chase. What sets are you all building that feel impossible, but you just absolutely love the chase and acquisitions?

10-05-2020, 03:03 PM	#8
bblair_2002 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fort Plain,NY Posts: 2,903 hitman73	The 2011 Topps Diamond and Cognac Anniversary sets were quite the challenge. Considering you have series 1,2 and Update along with the retired player SPs over all series it comes out to around 1070 cards for each set. Took me over 5 years to finish both. Luckily I got the Trouts when they were still cheap. __________________ 20 year collector of Albert Pujols and I build parallel sets. RIP Topps Chrome Baseball Pink Refractors. Last edited by bblair_2002; 10-05-2020 at 03:05 PM.

10-05-2020, 03:42 PM	#12
Mrpokey Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 5,119 Mrpokey	I'm making the 2001 Finest Baseball Refractor set /241. I'm 90% done. The hardest to find is the no name rookies __________________ Currently looking for: 2018 Sage Sportkings Kevin VanDam Memorabilia and Autos. Buying over Ebay or Trading high for them

10-05-2020, 04:40 PM	#15
creasecollector Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,552 creasecollector	Kuddos to you for undertaking those back sets! Scratching another card off the list must be really fun. __________________ Collecting: Jhonas Enroth View my Collections, Traders & Wantlist: creasecollector.weebly.com Co-Host of the Center Ice Card Cast - A Hockey Card Podcast Instagram/Twitter: @creasecollector

10-05-2020, 05:06 PM	#17
YouTheManNick Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 2,548 trapjaw73 YTMN	Man. Some really cool stuff you guys are going after. My impossible quest is a subset... but still very much impossible. Since 2013 I've been chasing the printing plate set of 2013 Topps Archives 1990 design only. I love the 1990 design and I like printing plates (used to love 'em but have kind of moved on). Anyways. At the time I thought it would be a fun chase and seven years later I'm still going. I only have plates for 17 different cards. Some of which I have 2-3 plate colors of. These days they almost never show up... but every now and then one will pop up. I've added two this year. I've missed out on both David Ortiz and Felix Hernandez because I underestimated just how high player collectors were willing to bid. Those two misses always bum me out. After missing on those two I made a decision that I would not let any more get past me. Even if I have to severely overpay. Otherwise, I've pretty much gotten every single one that's come available over the past few years. __________________ They're = they are. Their = possession. There = "I went there." Two = 2. Too = "Me too." To = "He went to the card show." Your = "your cards." You're = "you're welcome."

10-05-2020, 02:28 PM	#2
Thor34 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Maine Posts: 1,465	2013 Topps Chrome Master Set w all the colored, numbered Parallels. That's 14 separate 220 card sets. Complete on: Base Refractor Blue #/199 Gold #/50 Very close on both Purple and Orange those being retail parallels, un-numbered. Certainly buying ones I don't have or trading to others working on the set. I've got hundreds of dupes.

10-05-2020, 02:39 PM	#3
tdubs1010 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 761	Just 3080 cards haha. That is quite a set to go after!

10-05-2020, 02:49 PM	#5
Rom Washentum Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 78	Good luck on the chase, everyone. I'm working on 2019 Topps factory set foilboards. It's not impossible by any means, but it's the first one even close to the size I've undertaken. I just passed 30% on the 701 card checklist. Most of the cards can be found but considering the format they don't all surface in great quantities, so hunting them for reasonable prices has been fun.

10-05-2020, 03:04 PM	#9
BBases31 Banned Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 7,603	I started on the 2018 Red Sapphires but it's too annoying to see sellers sitting on cards and not budging from 3x market price even if they've had the card up for sale for a long time. Especially so when it's a guy who might never start a game in the majors again. Comes with the territory that you have to overpay and burn money doing one of these though. I'll still buy occasionally when they pop up for auction but I'm not being aggressive

10-05-2020, 03:24 PM	#10
tdubs1010 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 761	That's exactly how I view it... people won't budge on prices on cards of guys who will never be heard of again in baseball, but because it's /25 it is 10x what the true value is... I guess its the fun of the chase. To be honest part of my enjoyment of the sets I am doing is meeting people in the hobby on here or on Instagram who have cards in shoeboxes I could use, and they get to make a little bit and help in return. It is a fun journey.

10-05-2020, 04:20 PM	#13
ronzo Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 306	Working on master sets of 2002 Topps 206 and 2003 Topps 205. A little over 3000 cards in each set. Probably around 80-85% complete on both. I could probably get close to finishing them off if I bought everything available on the Beckett marketplace, but most of those prices are ridiculous for cards with such little demand. I enjoy the hunt of looking for good deals on hard to find cards so it keeps me entertained.

10-05-2020, 04:32 PM	#14
goldfly Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 396 goldflystill	i have one from the 2020 set i'd be willing to sell i think i got a Shane Bieber one i'm still going through the set and figuring out what i need and what i want to collect though from the 3 boxes i got

10-05-2020, 04:46 PM	#16
tdubs1010 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 761	It is a grind. I think there are a couple other guys on here who are into the Ginter minis especially the parallels. Checking them off the Excel spreadsheet is very fun. Checking my PayPal is not.

10-05-2020, 05:10 PM	#18
Triphunter Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 246 zerochr	Been trying to finish 2012 topps museum canvas collection /10 or AP. Missing the ones in my sig. __________________ Looking for: 2012 Topps Museum Canvas /10 or AP: Clemente, Gwynn, Hamilton, Henderson, Mantle, Mathews, Mays.

10-05-2020, 05:18 PM	#19
scott1234 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,568 scotty	I'm working on 2015 Bowman purple ice /50 there is 300 in the set, 150 veterans and 150 prospects, need 22 to finish, been working on it since they came out.

10-05-2020, 05:45 PM	#20
tdubs1010 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 761	You just wonder how many of the set cards you need are sitting in a box or drawer... I know for my chase a whole lot.

10-05-2020, 05:47 PM	#21
NYBBFAN Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 4,703	2011 Topps Heritage red/blue/green tints. Very close to completion. Thread here if anyone wants to help: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1358786

10-05-2020, 05:50 PM	#22
ZappBrannigan Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Biafra Posts: 2,334	Since 06 Legendary Cuts Chronology GU Set - almost done with this, haven't updated image bank for a few years.....but have paypal ready for these... Robinson GU /10 ( heard wasn't made) Hoyt Wilhelm jersey /sp Gil Hodges bat/sp Honus Wagner jersey /10

10-05-2020, 06:26 PM	#23
mfw13 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 17,017	Although not a baseball set, I was the first person to complete the 1977 Topps Mexican Football set.....took me 26 years (from 1977 to 2003). Current "impossible" baseball sets I'm working on are the 2013/14/15/16 Heritage Minis. Also working on the UD Hockey Heroes auto set....they're each #/15 and the set was released over multiple years, so cards are very hard to find.

10-05-2020, 06:43 PM	#25
corockies Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3,132 corockies corockies	I built the entire 200 card 1998 Leaf Fractal Materials Die Cuts set. (50 total sets possible). Many HoF '90's players have cards #ed /50 in it. Also built a complete set of 2004 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Turn of the Century (100 total sets possible).