There are a lot of very impressive sets to pick from this year. But for me its a no brainer...

1938 Gum Inc. Horrors of War: Bombaye (Ronnie Paloger)

Having just completed this set myself, I can really appreciate the effort that it must of taken to complete this set in this condition.


7.95 GPA including Card #1 (Marco Polo) in a Psa 9....

What an impressive set!


Dave Lemon

Dave I agree - very impressive.

I agree too Dave. Incredible set. Wish I could see it in person. Marty's #2 HoW set is almost as good so it boggles my mind that there are two sets of this level out there. I can't help but wonder how much money it takes to build a set like this? Judging by the prices PSA 8s go for these days, I'm assuming the total cost for the set would be somewhere between $100,000 and $300,000.

Alan

BMW cards has the best set as the average grade is closer to an 8.5. They have some of the toughest cards in SGC 96 with pictures of every one to see. Its a shame so many people think PSA is the only game in town with the Registry. There are alot of sets (owned by Randyl Stuckemeyer) that are astonishing.

As Randy died in March, I'm wondering who actually owns this set at the moment and whether it will be auctioned off at some point? I know I can't afford to buy it, that's for sure, but I'd still enjoy following the auction! Randy had so many top-grade sets, and I'd definitely be interested in some of the others if they came up for sale.

Alan

Alan, if this is true(his passing), then the r36 (all purple) sgc set of his was sold in the last mastro/legendary auction?

Yes, it's true. There is a terrific article about him in the latest issue (Spring 2009) of the SGC Collector Magazine.

He passed on March, 16th, 2009.

Thanks for this info Charley. I should have checked this set against Randy's sets on the SGC Registry but there were simply too many other great lots I wanted to bid on even more. Gotta believe this means we'll see more of his sets for sale in the near future.

Alan

Hey Jim, any chance you can put the article up for me (and others who don't get this mag) to read?

Alan

Hey Jim & Alan.

Yeah Jim, me too..I mean, I second the motion. Would Love to read that article. I wonder where mine is?!

Alan, yes there was SOO much stuff between Mastro & lengendary at one time...I was overwhelmed myself.

Later

alan, if you go to sgc website, you can get a subscription, they send about 3 issues a year and all of them have stories from fellow collectors. its a nice magazine and has terrific information in it. they always have a section on newly discovered cards, either sport or non sport, but its always neat to hear how things were uncovered.

Alan, Charlie, et al,






(Note to Brian Dwyer at SGC: If there's a copyright problem with posting this, let me know and I'll take it down. Thanks. Jim VB)

Thanks so much Jim.

Alan

Thanks Jim, very kind of you!

"..faith in God.." Surely what made this man and his collection relevant.

rand is correct, randy sets have no equal, amazing stuff, he had a real love for collecting, dealt with him lots...what a great guy randy was, he left behind a legacy of great collecting. had no ego trip like some on the regisrty. and he was not a one set wonder..he had dozens and dozens, he would help a fellow collector in anyway he could, would never look to harm anybody!! his cracker jack was hard to believe. with a collection that was so broad it is just about impossible to keep adding to all of them, most times you have to pick a few of your favorites and let the others go, not randy he done the best i seen with so many sets. the word impressive does not even do his collection justice..

bmw's h.o.w have no equal and will never be topped.. brians set is as flawless as i have ever seen. the uniformity is amazing.

I have always been super impressed by the Bumchex 1967 Wacky Packages set. Only 6 or 7 cards have been graded higher so replicating the set is virtually impossible. Sealed wax boxes are cost prohibitive (to most) and finding MINT cards more difficult then most 1950s issues. Many 1967 'Wacky' collectors are willing to pay $25,000 or much more for (1) final card artwork. Trying to complete the finest set would equal financial suicide for just about all but wish you luck! As many know, Wackys introduced scores of collectors to non sports and currently enjoy a fanatical following.

hey dave, i didnt see the post as sour grapes at all. marty agreed with me about randy's sets. alan mentioned in his post that he would like to see some of those highend impressive cards at the same time complimenting the set. i wanted to point out that on sgc's site there was a set, happens to be even better, that also had scans of every card. i thought some folks would be interested in seeing the all time greatest HOW set and what the cards looked like. you have to admit, SGC's registry can give some of the # 1 psa sets a run for their money.

Dave, seems that Marty was just being a nice guy and was being VERY complimentary about the collecting skills and achievements of a recently deceased member of our hobby family . . . and reading those articles above, about Randyl, he indeed sounds like a wonderful human being, deserving of much praise! That blast was unwarranted.

djr said: "Wackys introduced scores of collectors to non sports and currently enjoy a fanatical following."

Agreed. And they still do. My kids get more enjoyment for their $1 out of these new Wackys then anything else for that price. And they are always pointing out things like the Fed-Up (Fedex) truck or the Sweating (Swedish) Fish candies.

Wow, Dave -- I almost posted last night after your first post to describe that post as the most "tone deaf" I have read in a long time. I thought for sure you'd regret your post on further thought and would edit it. Instead you dug an even deeper hole for yourself. You are so out of line (I'm not even referring to your beef over the Mastro lot), I almost feel like I should apologize to Marty (and Randyl) on your behalf since you won't.

Marty, don't even respond. Not worth your time. Just delete your post -- you don't need to convince anyone here about anything.

Marty(or Dave),

Are you saying that Mastro discdlosed to another bidder what your top all or maximum bid was? If so, was this by someone who is it the new company that they now run. If this is so, this is certainly a reason to never do business with this company in the future.

Jim

Thanks, Dave, much appreciated.

-----

Actually, hope you guys can iron all this out. Because when you boil it all down and remove all plastic / numbers / competition from the equation, what we have are a bunch of guys who have and love spectacular condition cards, collected from some of the most desirable vintage gumcard sets of all time! A reason for mutual celebration, not friction . . .

Well said Ralph. Since Marty and Bill and Dave are three of the biggest non-sports collectors, I'd like to see them all continue to post here and share their cards and experiences.

Alan

Ralph, well put, I've edited out my negativity.....

I am confused by all of this but the one thing I would like to know is an answer to Jim's question.

Hi all,

Marty has been going pretty hot and heavy on this thread and I believe he has every right to be angry. If you read his original post, there is nothing in it but praise for other collectors. Dave, your original post (which apparently has been removed, so I can't reference it) was inaccurate and very unfair to Marty. I believe you owe him a public apology.

The sooner we get off this kind of kick, the better. We are a small family and squabbles like this can only be damaging to the sense of fraternity we have in this hobby.

Best regards, Bill Bengen

no contest, west coast would be the winner with their 1962 topps mars attacks set psa 8.51 gpa. speachless does not begin to cover my reaction to this holy grail.

now why did this guy delete his earlier post and then reiterate himself 2 posts down?

listen- all i did was respond to a post and agree with rand and a few others with their opinion and the next thing i know i need to defend myself??? does this look right to you also???


"now why did this guy delete his earlier post and then reiterate himself 2 posts down?"

apparently rand being anonymous has it's perks...if nothing else this thresd is serious to me and dave lemon, why would this guy throw this into it?? maybe to humerous and lighten up the tention?? i dont know him and if dave does not i cant see why?

ya know what, i feel like i am a high schooler going back and forth, i am going to respect myself some and take down my posts on dave lemon. this didnt have to happen but it did, but i also can stop it on my end..

Marty, I owe you apology for over reacting to your first post........

dave- by no means was i making light of rons set, i did fail to give him his due, i got caught up in posting on randy and the bmw set that i forgot what the post was about to be honest. better to have this end than act like we are. some real good people on this board, last thing they want is you and i cluttering it up.

so i dont forget "yes" rons set should be set of the year and also h.o.f...i would think it's a bit tougher than mars attacks...just my opinion before people get nuts...i have a mars attacks, a great set too.. but the size of h.o.w is the clincher, 288 cards is tough...i know.

dave- glad you agreed, nobody wins the other way, have a good day.

Marty, you would get vote for PSA Collector Hall of Fame. You have an amazing collection.
Dave Rosenberg, Brian Karl and Allan Moon are well on their way towards the same achievement.

Bombaye (Ronnie Paloger) 1938 Gum Inc. Horrors of War: is my pick for vintage Non-Sport set of the year

but let us not forget

Scottsdalecards (Bob Marcy) - 1933 Indian Gum Set

Ruby (Robert Levine) - 1888 Allen & Ginter American Indian Chiefs (N2):



I also think that Non-Sports growth over the past few years is enough to justify Psa to expand their number of awards given each year.

They currently have:
1. Best Vintage Non-Sports Set of the Year (1971 and older)
2. Best Modern Non-Sports Set of the Year (1972 to present)

My vote would be for:

1. Best Vintage Non-Sports Set of the Year (1949 and older)
2. Best Vintage Non-Sports Set of the Year (1950 to 1971)
3. Best Modern Non-Sports Set of the Year (1972 to present)

Does anyone else agree?

arent the main focus of MY collection, it would seem with the 19th century, 20th century tobacco cards, the E caramel/candy cards, etc, that an even earlier category would be warranted too. Pre 1949 would encompass WAY too much to limit it to just that. I don't have a dog in the fight and don't really care. I don't avoid graded cards and I have 6-8 graded tobacco sets and 1930's sets strictly by coincidence of buying them at auctions but ungraded cards are the lion's share of my collection.

Tom,
I couldn't agree more. What may hold that back, for now, is that we need more sets listed. If you take a look most N, T and E sets only have a few collectors who list their sets. As this expands I'm sure Psa would expand the number of awards. Are you ready to participate?

tom good point- if you ask me tobacco and the 19th century stuff has out performed the 50s'-60s stuff the past year, the 30's is always hot, auction prices dont lie, of course i am excluding exceptions like the 59 stooges, i think tobacco is "still" cheap even with the recent prices, i think nonsports in general is still not done to the upside, baseball has kicked it into another gear the past 4-5 years, why not nonsports following suit??

dave- honestly i dont get caught up in the h.o.f stuff...i have dozens of sets that are not graded..many 2nd and 3rd sets of what i have up that would grade the same....besides my pre-war baseball and some more expensive h.o.famers my baseball is all raw, i have a nm and better sets from 1952-1980, and the bowmans, i enjoy raw just as much..building a registry set is fun!! but if you get caught up in the competetion the less fun it becomes. i try not to do that. i subscribe to the notion that there is awlays a better set somewhere...and i know where they are......all at dan c's house...lol.

With the exception of 2007 when they let two collectors in, the PSA HOF has only let in 1 collector per year. Bill was the first primarily non-sports collector admitted. Its not likely they would choose another non-sports collector for the forseeable future(in my opinion). More than likely it would be a vintage baseball card collector unless they let in Mike Rakosi--the King of Vintage Basketball.

i think PSA is short sighted on this. allowing only 1 or maybe 2 collectors a year in this exclusive club. If they placed a Non Sports Guy along with Football, Basketball, ect.. it may increase their revenues by more submissions for other collectors who want to be noticed.

i guess they should let some more people in since (rumor has it) they will be going out of business in the next couple of years.

PSA gives out hundreds of vawards each year--the only thing that is exclusive is the Hall of Fame.

The catered dinner, the dancing girls, the five-star entertainment and 100 free grades make this a perk worth achieving.


Jim

jim, would it be fair to say, that the HOF PSA set Registry Collectors have over $1,000,000 worth of cards (at least) tied up? at the end of the day, these guys have poured millions into their cards, so the "Perk" is well earned. have you ever taken time out to review some of Randy Stuckemeyers set over in SGC? i would think even the most savvy at PSA would have to appreciate some of it. regards

you said rumor has it psa will being going out of biz in the next few years, what's going on?
kind regards

if you dont mind, please put your real name up.

Please tell me more about the dancing girls.

Rand, did you try the email address? Not sure what the big deal is about being anonymous (w/ only an email address) if you are not making controversial posts. A Google search would have satisfied your curiosity. I made deals Matt and he seems like a good dude. Popculture401k / gai5centwaxpack is known on eBay / Registry.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/gai5centwaxpack__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Rand,

Seriously? Check my sets on the registry under Davalillo and value them at SMR, Then look at Fogle, Merkel, Louchios and Spence. Conservatively we are talking $50mm market value here and that is being very conservative. Look at Louchios T206 set--unparalelled.

Yes Randy had a beautiful collection and I admire it very much. It would be unfair however to compare it with Spence or Louchios.

Best non-sports set of the year = Paloger's R69 set.
Next non-sports Hall of Fame member = Marty Quinn.

Hall of Fame club should definitely be exclusive, I'd rather see Ruth and Mantle, than watered down players like Rice and Sutter in there. One at a time, eventually those that "poured millions into their cards" will eventually get there.

The expanding of non-sports awards should be increased as well. More and more non-sports are being graded. For example, SGC has graded more non-sports cards since they have been running their special than any other time in their history. For PSA's awards, I feel they should be broken down even more:

1) Best Vintage Non-Sports Set of the Year (pre-1900)
2) Best Vintage Non-Sports Set of the Year (1900s-1920s)
3) Best Vintage Non-Sports Set of the Year (1930s-1940s) - Break down the 30s? Lots going on there!
4) Best Vintage Non-Sports Set of the Year (1950s-1960s)
5) Best Modern Non-Sports Set of the Year (post-1970)

Jim , I know those sets are worth tens of millions. i was only saying that it costs millions to join the club.

greetings,
i'm matt. but ever since my book you know you're a slacker if... was published 10 years ago all my friends and family have called me slacker, thanks your a very rad dude as well. always a pleasure to do biz or chat gum cards.

Rand,

Whoops I misunderstood--no--just $500,000 and a few vintage cards

Jim

lots of good points made here.

steve l, is right, more catergories for people to sahre in. i dont see what the big deal is with that?

rand, i agree with (here we go again, lol) randys set's. very diverse with his collection. and yes sgc is grading and crossing over psa cards at a big rate...i wouldnt hesitate to use sgc at all, matter of fact some sets i have "are" going to go there when i get a chance.

Hey Marty,

",.. the 30's is always hot, auction prices dont lie, of course i am excluding exceptions like the 59 stooges, i think tobacco is "still" cheap even with the recent prices,..."

Am I the only one left on Survivor:Expensive Tobacco Island?

I am in shock, really, at what non sport tobacco is going for the last few years. I am , as usual, maxed out at this point. Do you really think there is room northward?

Marty,

Do you really think that SGC is crossing over PSA cards at a high rate?

Hard for me to judge but not many SGC cards on ebay vs. PSA; they seem to get lower prices except in baseball prewar(because most set collectors collect PSA); and the SGC Set Registry is a tiny fraction of PSA's.

I like SGC and am personal friends with Dave Forman but I was not aware of a major shift going on.

Jim

''Am I the only one left on Survivor:Expensive Tobacco Island?''

Charley, I have found the immunity idol on Survivor (sometimes) Expensive Tobacco Island! It is an amazingly beautiful and rewarding place but have mixed feelings also about welcoming newcomers. However, I am a positive sum gain kind of guy and welcome collectors of all demos with open arms. Hopefully we can make some trades, if you like; please email.

jim c- maybe i should clean it up some, i was reffering to pre-war baseball, and it seems alot of tobacco nonsports is going to sgc as well, unless i am dead wrong, but it seems they are doing well with this...but you are right about the registry, if not for this the other era's 50's -60's might be stronger on the sgc side. whenever i go the the net54 baseball site someone else is posting about there crossover to sgc..i do think what eric b has been researching will come true and maybe lead to a psa "lull" period...this might be a time for some to try sgc?? whi knows?? i have no problem with sgc cards at all, they are very good graders...

rand please let me know about the rumors of psa not lasting another two years
kind regards

one of the board's posters has done some terrific research into CU's quarterly reports. if you go to the search box and type in PSA you should come up with his posts. They are doing very poorly in the stock market and burning through their cash reserves. His perception is that PSA will be sold off to private hands. The new owners will want to absorb as much cash out as possible which leads to lower standards (more higher grades) and watered down pop reports to encourage more submissions. Credibility (as its not already at issue) will start to go the way of GAI... ect, ect....

thanks rand,
kind regards

Hello to All ,

Congratulations to Mr Paloger & West Coast on their induction into the PSA Hall of Fame for the hard work done on Horrors of War and Superman sets .

Also a big well done to Mr Cohen for his Best Vintage Non Sports set of the Year award (3 Stooges)and Stoney417's award for Modern Non Sports set of the Year , Star Wars .

........and not forgetting the Mighty Mr Quinn for his Best Collection award .

Worthy winners all .

----
Mark

Mark,

I don't believe they went into the Hall of Fame--I think their sets went into the Hall nof Fame--big difference.

One collector into HOF this year--Michael Rakosi--the King of Vintage Basketball

Hello to All ,

Hi Jim ,
I stand corrected .

Congratulations to those inducted into the PSA Set Registry Hall of Fame for outstanding individual sets .

One heck of an achievment .

----
Mark

Mark,

No--they are not inducted--their sets are--no non-sports people were inducted this time.

Their sets are great!

Jim

Congratulations to the Winners....

PSA Set Registry Awards 2009

- PSA Set Hall of Fame -
Ronnie Paloger (Bombaye) - 1938 Gum Inc Horrors of War

- PSA Set Hall of Fame -
West Coast 1940 Gum Inc Superman

- Best Collection of the Year -
Marty Quinn

- Best Vintage Non-Sports Set of the Year -
Richard Baron Cohen (Twinight #1) - 1959 Fleer Three Stooges (Basic)

- Best Modern Non-Sports Set of the Year -
Scott Stonebrook (Stoney417) - 1976 Topps Star Trek


Great Job guys!

Hello to All ,

Hi Jim ,

I pasted and copied my e-mail ...

The following are being inducted into the PSA Set Registry Hall of Fame for outstanding individual sets:

Don Louchios 1910-11 Sporting Life (M116) - Basic Baseball
Donald E. Spence - The Lone Star Collection - 1912 T202 Hassan Triple Folders
Donald E. Spence - The Lone Star Collection - 1934-36 Diamond Stars - Master Baseball
Charles M. Merkel - 1948 Bowman Baseball
Donald E. Spence - The Lone Star Collection - 1955 Topps Baseball
Larry Robbins (l.r.'s 1957 Vintage Baseball) - 1957 Topps - Basic Baseball
Thomas Martin - 1968 Topps - Basic Baseball
T. Allan Bergquist - 1975 Topps Mini Baseball
Donald E. Spence - The Lone Star Collection - Mickey Mantle Basic Set
Jon Isaacson (Fight4oldDC) - Pro Football Hall of Fame Rookie Players
Craig and Ashton Moss (Ashton's 51 parkies) - 1951-52 Parkhurst Hockey
Dave and Lori Nicklas (The Hockey Collection) - 1964-65 Topps Hockey
Ronnie Paloger (Bombaye) - 1938 Gum Inc. Horrors of War Non-Sports
West Coast - 1940 Gum Inc. Superman R145 Non-Sports

As you can see , it's first line states what i stated in my last post ...

' inducted into the PSA Set Registry Hall of Fame for outstanding individual sets '

----
Mark