My Willie Mays run is nearing completion

[raddoc25]

I just wanted to share the progress of my 1951-1974 Willie Mays run as I wait for the final 2 cards (1955 Topps and 1963 Fleer) to arrive.

I grew up a SF Giants fan so an appreciation for the greatness of Mays was engrained in me at an early age. It is a happy coincidence that he and I share the same birthday.

As you can see, I'm a bit of a centering snob, bordering on pathological. To me, centering is the most important single attribute of a card. It's often the first thing you notice about a card and is an important factor in first impression eye appeal. While none of these cards are particularly difficult to find, finding them dead centered was a challenge. Most years, less than 3-5% of the examples are what I would consider dead centered. It was both time consuming and costly to assemble this collection.

[Above the Rim]

Very nice, Congrats !

[discodanman45]

Are you going to go after his All-Star cards? I know the league leaders can be overwhelming, but his 1958 All-Star is a great card!

[boxbuster7]

awesome accomplishment

[Stifle]

Not sure why, but the 62 was my favorite Topps cards. Well done sir, well done!

[raddoc25]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

Are you going to go after his All-Star cards? I know the league leaders can be overwhelming, but his 1958 All-Star is a great card!

I'm probably not. The frame I have for it only holds 30 cards so just enough for his base cards and 2-3 others. Plus, I have some house maintenance costs coming up so money is going to be tight.

[JustRachel]

I am blown away by this run. Wow. As someone already said, well done!

[crazy4kinsler]

That's a great run there. I need to pick up a nice copy of 1 of his cards sooner rather than later. I'd like to get it before he passes because they'll skyrocket once that happens.

[raddoc25]

Project is completed! With a baby on the way and some home expenses, I'm still undecided if I will keep it but if I do, there's plenty of upgrade opportunities in the early years.

[3Bucks]

Love the collection and display. Where did you get the display, is it a shadowbox? Love old card collections like this. I'm working on the Hank Aaron Topps run, just need his RC, of course the most expensive one! I'd keep that and pass it down to your kids.

[raddoc25]

Originally Posted by 3Bucks

Love the collection and display. Where did you get the display, is it a shadowbox? Love old card collections like this. I'm working on the Hank Aaron Topps run, just need his RC, of course the most expensive one! I'd keep that and pass it down to your kids.

It's actually frame with individual cutouts for each PSA card. I like it but it was pretty costly compared to a shadowbox.

My latest and probably last Mays pickup. Another centered beauty. It's amazing how many fewer white backs there are.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by 3Bucks

Love the collection and display. Where did you get the display, is it a shadowbox? Love old card collections like this. I'm working on the Hank Aaron Topps run, just need his RC, of course the most expensive one! I'd keep that and pass it down to your kids.

I have been going after the Hank Aaron Run as well and I am about 70% complete. It will be a Frankenstein collection though with CGC/PSA/SGC slabs. Maybe one day I will make it more uniform with all PSA or SGC. The rookie card is the biggest obstacle. I will need to let go of a few cards since paying $3000 plus for one piece of cardboard is a tough thing for me to do!

Great thing about collecting vintage is you can do a project and have it come to completion. The ultra-modern world is pretty overwhelming for me and I don't know how to approach it.

[Cardsandcoffee]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

I have been going after the Hank Aaron Run as well and I am about 70% complete. It will be a Frankenstein collection though with CGC/PSA/SGC slabs. Maybe one day I will make it more uniform with all PSA or SGC. The rookie card is the biggest obstacle. I will need to let go of a few cards since paying $3000 plus for one piece of cardboard is a tough thing for me to do!

Great thing about collecting vintage is you can do a project and have it come to completion. The ultra-modern world is pretty overwhelming for me and I don't know how to approach it.

Nice looks like I may be competing with you Disco! haha. I just am about to pick up a true Grail for me, a mid -high grade of the ‘54 Topps Aaron. Have a few other years already in the run, this may make me go for it now the RC is out of the way

[sheetskout]

That is impressive. Kind of jealous.

And by kind of I mean I'm jealous.

[Cousin Jethroe]

well done

[BlowoutBuzz]

Impressive run. Bad news below.

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[raddoc25]

Originally Posted by BlowoutBuzz

Impressive run. Bad news below.

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We knew this day would eventually come but nothing prepares you for the shock of it all. I was beginning to think Willie was going to live forever. He still will in the hearts and minds of baseball fans around the world. RIP Willie Mays

[RoyalsCollector]

Was really hoping he'd make it to see the Rickwood game. RIP

[here2havefun]

Awesome run. Now you can go after his Venezuelan cards!

[pikeman80]

I am closing in on my 51-72 Willie Mays run. Just missing the 55 Bowman. Giants cards only. Have 52,54 & 55 Redman but no 52 Stahl Mayer

https://app.cardladder.com/showcase/...sMvS23ah1v8b91

[pikeman80]

Terrific Mays Collection. How long did this take you to collect.

[raddoc25]

Originally Posted by pikeman80

Terrific Mays Collection. How long did this take you to collect.

Great collection yourself. I've been slowly upgrading this run over the last few years. I'm hoping to get every card at PSA 5 or better. But I'm only trying for very well centered cards so most examples are not within my consideration.