Well, it's been (many) months since I've had the time to really look at my card collection and asses where I am, but I finally have a moment to breathe! So I just thought I'd take a moment to jot down what I'm working on and offer some admittedly limited observations on the marketplace. So...

1. I still need 22 more minimum PSA 7 Jets Rockets Spacemen to complete my goal of having each card in the set in at least PSA 7. (I'm going for a uniform NM set.) After a flurry of activity earlier this year it seems like the high-grade JRS market has all but dried up on E-Bay and in the major auction houses. In past years high-grade examples popped up pretty regularly. Now, no-one has these. I haven't had a chance to upgrade since last spring.

2. I still need my last two minimum PSA 6's (#35 and #36) to complete my goal of collecting each card in Bowman's Wild Man set in at least PSA 6. (Going for a uniform Ex-Mt set.) Again, the high-grade market for this set seems to have dried up a bit in the last few months, but oddly, there appear to be more high-grade Wild Man cards out there than JRS. Go figure. Overall, high-grade Wild Man can still be found (even the high number series), but the two that I need are just very tough to find in PSA 6 or better.

3. In terms of set-building, I am now up to 14 of 24 for Strange True Stories, which I think is pretty damn good considering I've only been at it since earlier this year and I've been buying card by card. My number one non-sports priority right now is tracking down those last ten cards in any condition. (And I mean any condition.) They still don't pop up on E-Bay or in the major auctions much at all, but I have had some luck by "beating the pavement" and becoming creative in finding missing cards.

4. I'm still somewhat casually pursuing upgrading my Tarzan and the Crystal Vault of Isis cards to a minimum of PSA 5 across the board, but I have come to terms with the folly of this goal and am largely content to have a solid VG-EX complete set. Upgrading this set is probably my lowest priority.

4. Lastly, I just finally took the plunge and started the Wolverine Gum Ripley's BION set. I have resisted this temptation for years, but listening to Jerry yammer on about it and then seeing those incredible high-number cards that Wade just offered on E-Bay finally broke me down. Really though, I had wanted to finish STS before starting BION. Finally I realized that would mean I could be waiting YEARS, so I have recently started buying. I am going to try for nice examples (PSA 5 or better) of the low numbers and grab anything I can in the higher numbers. I LOVE this set right now and am on the hunt.

Anyone else? What are you working on and what have you observed in the marketplace as you've been tracking them down?

Aaron: I'm not really working on anything at the moment, but wanted to complement you on your choice of sets. You've picked some of my favorites. You've made great progress on STS, good luck on finishing it. I expect the last 5 or 6 will take you a while. Tarzan is a really nice set to work on, though condition is tough due to the card stock. But it's "completable" while being challenging. As for BION, as I've said on here before, buy the high numbers when you see them. They are quite tough. But if I had to sell most of my collection, STS and BION would probably be the last sets to go.

Chuck

I'm glad I got you started on BIOn - it's a great set

My main goals right now is to finish my HOW set (I need 22 more cards and get the last 4 cards ( Nos. 100, 103, 104 & 118) to finish the 120 card USHD set.

Of course there is always BION, the planned completion date for that one is 2050.

Moved back in time and I'm working on N2 and N19 as well as Pirate Picture Gum and HOW. Some projected completion dates are well after my projected lifespan.

All The Best
Gary

Gary/Jerry, I've totally taken that approach to my STS and BION sets. Of course, I'd love to complete them as soon as possible, but I am totally at ease with the idea that it could be years (decades?) before I'm done. There's no pressure at all.

Jerry, your enthusiasm for BION is infectious!

Chuck, thank you -- that's a tremendous compliment coming from you.

I'm working on TOO much.......
I too have been picking up BION's although with Jerry's recent flourish, I've stopped for a while........

Also........
Sea Raiders
G-Men (thanks Mark Finn)
Tip Top Space & Tip Top Automobiles


And......
Always working on Dukes, Kinney & A&G sets that I've been working on for 10 years.

Progress on my main goals has been very slow these past couple of years.

In that time, I've given up on:
G-Men HOTL
BION
Strange True Tales
Not to mention the sets I'd love to go after but never got enough of a start to make it practical.

I am close to finishing:
Lone Ranger - need one
Superman - need five
Coins of all Nations - need one
African Animal Jig - need one and a couple of upgrades
Horror Monsters Green - need one and Purple - need two

Also looking for dozens of upgrades on completed sets.

Seeing so many great sets here thanks to Dan and the rest of you who contribute to the Gallery, sure makes it tough not to begin
others. Finances can be such a bucket of cold water.

Completing:

US Caramel Presidents (master set of reds, blues, oranges)
Gum Inc. Superman (highs)
League of Nations
Hollywood Picture Stars (master set: Shelby red ink backs and brown ink backs; Hamilton set)
B&G Warriors of the World
Strange True Stories
Indians, Cowboys & Westerns
Sea Raiders (master set: Boston, Montreal, English and bilingual backs)

Upgrading:

Battleship Gum
Dare Devils
Dick Tracy
Mickey Mouse & Movie Stars
Ser of 48 - Aviation
. . . . and a host of others

R3

and finding most things I "need" difficult - as fewer better items listed - and everything "I" bid on sells high That being said I'm forever pressing forward. Chasing N2, N28, N29, N143, N184, sunny south blacks and HLC and OFFC sepia indians. Slowly chasing N162 and Ancient Mythology sets as well as picking up T206's when I can get in lots inexpensively. I continue to look for and buy packs and advertising pieces. Chasing couple silk and leather sets as they're cheap, available, and fun to do. While I root for the economy to rebound - part of me is anticipating a downward price adjustment for middle grade cards - of course they're the kind I chase

robin hood
adventures of Raddison
treasure Island
pirates bold
g-men
horrors of war
Davy crockett (bright orange back)
Davy crockett (tan back)
magic roundabout!!
foreign legion
just to name a few.

Flags of the world (a&bc)
Flags midgee (topps)
man from uncle
thunderbirds
dick tracy
mickey mouse

hogans heroes
addams family
wings
world on wheels
freedoms war

charlies angels
kung fu

Slow and Steady wins the race..

Topps 1955 Funny Foldees #30 (3rd year looking)
I'm Going to Be
Tom Mix Booklets #38
Popeye Comics
Uncle Sam #130
In Histories Spotlight
League of Nations
Indian Gum
Cops N Robbers
Goudey License Plates

Marty, Interesting to see Funny Foldees comment. I've been looking even longer for #28 and #31. I don't see many of these on ebay???
I also still need most of the variations (1949/1955).

card #30 :



variation card :

I picked up 3 HOW cards this weekend & I'm down to 19.

injun-uity straight arrow

Hello to All ,



Trying to get a Horrors of War set together at a reasonable price .



This has now been scuppered by the exchange rate . I could get some great Grade 4's for say , $24.99 , and with the exchange rate at £1 - $1.95 it didn't hit my pocket to hard . With the exchange rate of now , £1 - $1.45 these $24.99 would cost me approx 25% more !!



Just an insight as to how a UK collector has been affected by the downturn in the world economy .



----

Mark



ps...i have picked up some recent bargains though , a 5 for $15 etc ..

My current vintage want list has about 120 different sets listed. Many are 2nd (3rd?) sets. As I'm sure many of us do, if I finally finish one set and have lots of extras, then start a second set if say have 75% of a set; Or when almost finished building a set, a complete set gets offered that can't be refused; but still need to finish that 'first' set.
Will likely start to post some in the BST section; but the sets I'd most like to finish are:
- Arms of Nations (2-handed sword + 5 upgrades)
- Fold-a-roo's (Need 4; 3 extra for trade)
- Crazy TV 'master set' - Need 3 Pink Knock-knocks and 1 Pink Ton o'laffs
- Frontier Days
- King Kong test (#27 + some upgrades)
- Giant Plaks
- Theatres Old/New
- UK stuff: Battle ab&c emblems; thunderball (2 variations); exciting world james bond

Still trying to find the 100th card in the Auto-Drivers master set (all back variations). Picked up the 99th card this summer. Still need:

Mecca back factory 649 Henry Fournier

Also working on the Egyptienne Luxury College silks, variations on L20 leather college seals, and a host of non-USA automobile, auto racing, and motorcycle sets.

And for the gentleman doing the Injinuity, (if I can find them), have a bunch to trade, and need a few).

Jon.

Still trying to finish off my G-Men Master Set od 321 - still looking for Red &, "NO 240", (#'d between 126-166, inclusive) printing variations.

I'd be very generous to anyone who can supply the last few cards.

I'm working on quite a few sets, although I always wish it was less.



The real thorn in my side is the missing #6 from Treasure Island (1960 Buymore Sales). There has to be some copies of this card out there somewhere!



I also only need #49 to finish my raw Commando Ranger set. Can anyone help?



The third set where I'm missing only one card is Bring 'Em Back Alive where I need #65 (in PSA), although the set needs tons of upgrades.



Still need two cards to finish my Golden West raw set, three cards to finish my PSA Dare Devils, twenty plus to finish my PSA Round Up, and about eight to finish my PSA Outer Limits.



I'm also working on a raw Allies In Action set but this has been slow going. Anyone got cards to trade?



Alan

Here are some vg-ex sets that I have fruitlessly trying to complete.

N3 - Dueling Pistol....Sword Bayonet
N7 - #35 Feathers and Flowers in hair.....#38 Blue Star in Hair
N8 - Chub....Perch
N34 - Queen of Italy
N44 - #25
N77 - #25 Trapeze, Flying Jump
N83 - Albany Day Line...Quebec Steamship Co
N101 - Percheron
N105 - Buck Jumpers...A Hot Pursuit
N117 - Georgia...Massachusetts
N128 - The Accumulative Instinct
N135 - A Foul Balk...A Low Ball
N139 - Wreck on Shore...Old Transatlantic Side Wheeler
N165 - Skating...Tobagganing
N232 - Block Island...Monterey
N303 - Earl of Warwick...Spanish Court
N353 - Lincoln...Washington Bride
N462 - Ships of Columbus...A Spanish Explorer
N554 - John Ericsson

Hello to All ,

Hi Tony F ,

I know you don't like buying complete sets as you like the thrill of the chase for the single cards , but i've tracked down a complete set of Magic Roundabout if your interested .

Let me know .

----
Mark

E-mail sent mate.

1933 R174 World War Gum - have 40 of 96

1934 R78 Jungle Chewing Gum - have 30 of 48

1938 R1 Action Gum - have 1 of 96

I'm always working to expand my collection of RMS Titanic and related cards. Right now I have around 23 different for a total of about 60.

Still trying to find the last four to finish my PSA 1965 AB&C British Battle (#32, 39, 42, 44).

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www.AlteredCards.com - in-depth education on advanced card doctoring techniques & detection with detailed examples

Hello to All ,

Hi Kevin ,

Have you card #31 from ' Ships that have made History ' issued by Godfrey Phillips in the UK .

It's not a difficult set to get hold of but i've a spare Titanic card if you need it .



----

Mark

I am working on the Sea Raiders master set. All 4 different low number backs for each card 1 thru 24 and both variations of the high number backs 25 thru 48. I am within 13 cards of the 144 total. Dan.

Thanks Mark, it's really appreciated. Fortunately I have one, it was one of the first.

Here is the Titanic card collection, under the Trade & Tobacco Cards section.

Thanks again!

Kevin

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www.AlteredCards.com - in-depth education on advanced card doctoring techniques & detection with detailed examples