I started collecting cards as a boy living in Ridgewood, Queens. My Father and my Uncle Willie (who had been a semi-pro pitcher in a league in Brooklyn, NY) instilled in me a love of sports. I would go around the corner to the Adams Sisters' candy store on Seneca Avenue and use whatever money I had managed to scrape together to buy a pack or two. June was always a good month because if I got a good report card I would get a dollar! I would then try to scrounge up another twenty cents so I could buy an entire box of Topps baseball cards! That was a great thrill. My card interests were not limited to just baseball cards. I can remember buying Fleer football cards and basketball cards as well as Philadelphia and Topps football cards. When we moved out to Eastern Long Island, which in those days was moslty farm land, it was more difficult for me to buy cards; I could no longer walk up the block and around the corner to the Adams Sisters' store. Nonetheless, I was able to find a few places where I could buy my packs. Regretably, back in those days I  did not keep my cards from one year to the next.  When I started high school, I pretty much stopped buying cards. I took a long hiatus until 1986 when I got back into cards. I had saved none of the cards from my youth except for a handful of 1966 Philadelphia football cards (one of which was a Gale Sayers RC!). Since then I have managed to put together many sets, including those cards I had as a boy and  even well before that. That collection appears below (and may not be quite completely accurate).

Remember: this is a hobby, not life or death. I do it to enjoy it, and hope you do as well. 

 

​

COMPLETE SETS    (As of 10/10/23)

BASEBALL

​

1952:   Wheaties

1953:   Bowman (B&W); Bowman (Color); Topps; 1991 Topps Reprint

1954:   Bowman; Topps

1955:   Bowman; Topps; Topps Doubleheader

1956:   Topps

1957:   Topps

1958:   Topps

1959:   Topps

1960:   Fleer; Leaf; Topps

1961:   Topps

1962:   Exhibit Stat Backs; Topps

1963:   Fleer; Topps

1964:   Topps; Topps Stand-Ups

1965:   Topps

1966:   Topps

1967:   Topps

1968:   Topps; Topps Game

1969:   Topps, Topps Deckle Edge

1970:   Fleer; Topps; Topps Scratch Offs; Topps Story Booklets

1971:   Fleer; Topps

1972:   Topps; Topps White Team Checklists

1973:   Topps; Topps Blue Team Checklists

1974:   Topps; Topps Traded

1975:   Topps; Topps Mini

1976:   Topps; Topps Traded

1977:   Topps

1978:   Tastee-Freeze Discs; Topps

1979:   Topps; Topps Test Comic Wrappers

1980:   Topps

1981:   Donruss; Fleer; Topps; Topps Traded Factory

1982:   Donruss; Fleer; Topps; Topps Traded Factory

1983:   Donruss; Fleer; Topps; Topps Traded, Topps Traded Factory

1984:   Donruss; Fleer; Slurpee 7-11 East, Central, and West Coin Disc; Topps; 

1985:   Donruss Factory; Donruss; Fleer; Fleer Update Factory; Topps; Topps Traded Factory; Topps All-Time Record Holders

1986:   Donruss Factory; Donruss; Donuss The Rookies; Fleer Factory; Fleer; Fleer Update Factory; Topps; Topps Factory; Topps Mini Leaders; Topps Traded; Topps Traded Factory; Topps Traded Tiffany

1987:   Donruss Factory; Donruss; Donruss Hilights; Fleer Factory; Fleer; Fleer Tin; Fleer Update; Fleer Update Tin; Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Traded Factory: Topps All-Star Set Collector's Edition ; Topps Mini Leaders

1988:   Donruss Factory; Donruss; 1998 Donruss Puzzle: Stan Musial;  Fleer  Factory; Fleer; Fleer Update Factory; Fleer Update Mini; Score Factory; Pacific Baseball Legends; Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Mini Leaders;Topps Traded Factory; Topps 1987 All_stars glossy Set; Topps Rookies Commemorative Set; ProCards Albany-Colonie Yankees (Eastern League) Team Set; Eastern League All-Star Set (Vizquel)

1989:   Bowman Factory; DonrussFactory;Donruss; Fleer Factory; Fleer; Score Factory; Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Glossy Rookies; Topps Traded Factory; Upper Deck; Upper Deck Factory; Upper Deck Factory High # Series.

1990:   Donruss; 1990 Donruss Puzzle: Carl Yastrzemski; Fleer; Leaf; Score; Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Traded Factory; Upper Deck Factory;Upper Deck;Upper Deck Jackson Heroes;ProCards Pawtucket Red Sox (International League) Team Set; Star Albany-Colonie Yankees (Eastern League) Team Set (Bernie Williams)

1991:   Donruss; Fleer; Fleer Pro Visions; Leaf; Leaf Gold Rookies;Score; Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Traded Factory; Upper Deck Factory; Upper Deck; Upper Deck Extended; Upper Deck Aaron Heroes; Upper Deck Ryan Heroes; Upper Deck Williams Heroes;Line Drive Syracuse Chiefs (International League) Team Set

1992:   Donruss; Donruss Diamond Kings; 1992 Donruss Puzzle: Rod Carew; Fleer; Fleer All Stars; Fleer Clemens; Leaf; Leaf Gold Rookies;Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Traded Factory; Topps Stadium Club; Topps Stadium Club Dome;Ultra; Ultra All-Rookies; Ultra All-Stars;Ultra Award Winners; Ultra Gwynn; Upper Deck;Upper Deck Bench/Morgan Heroes; Upper Deck Home Run Heroes; Upper Deck Extended

1993:   Topps Factory; Topps; Topps  Traded; Topps Traded Factory; Upper Deck;Upper Deck Mays Heroes; U.S Playing Card M.L.B. Aces

1994:   Nabisco All-Star Legends; Topps Factory; Topps

1995:   Topps Factory; Topps Hobby; Topps

1996:   Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Profiles; 

1997:   Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Mantle; Topps Season's Best; Upper Deck Jackie Robinson

1998:   Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Clemente Tribute; Topps Etch-A-Sketch; Topps Hall of Fame; Topps Rookie Class

1999:   ToppsFactory; Topps; Topps Lords of The Diamond; Topps Power Brokers;

2000:   Topps Factory; Topps; Topps 21st Century; Topps All Rookie Team; Topps All-Topps; Topps Combos; Topps Hands of Gold; Topps Perennial All Stars; Topps Power Players

2001:   Bowman Heritage 1948 Reprints; Topps Factory; Topps; Topps A Look Ahead; Topps Before There Was Topps; Topps Combos; Topps What Could Have Been; Topps Heritage; Topps Heritage Classic Renditions; Topps Heritage New Age Performers; Topps Heritage Then & Now;

2002:   Topps Factory; Topps; Topps 1952 Reprints; Topps All-World; Topps East Meets West; Topps Hooby Masters; Topps Own The Game; Topps Ring Masters; Topps World Series Highlights;Topps Heritage' Tops Heritage Classic Renditions; Topps Heritage Then & Now

2003:   Topps Factory; Topps;Topps Own The Game; topps Traded; Topps Heritage; Topps Heritage New Age Performers; Topps Then & Now

2004:   Topps Factory; Topps; Topps Traded; Topps Hit Parade; Topps Heritage Flashbacks

2005:   Topps Factory  (Yankee Edition ); Topps Series I and II; Topps All Stars; Topps Dem Bums; Topps Grudge Match; Topps Updates & Highlights; Topps Heritage Flashbacks; Topps Heritage Then & Now

2006:   Topps Factory, Topps Series I and II; Topps Own The Game; Topps Rookie of The Week; Topps Stars; Topps Trading Places; Topps Updates & Highlights; Topps Heritage Then & Now

2007:    Topps Factory, Topps Series I and II; Topps Distinguished Service; Topps Flashback Fridays, Topps Hobby Masters, Topps Opening Day Team v Team; Topps Stars; Topps Trading Places; Topps Unlock The Mick; Topps Ted Williams;Topps Updates & Highlights; Topps Heritage New Age Performers

2008:    Topps Factory, Topps Series I and II; Topps Own The Game; Topps Stars; Topps Trading Card History; Topps Update Year In Review; Topps Heritage Flashbacks; Topps Heritage News Flashbacks; Upper Deck Heroes of Baseball

2009:    Topps Series (1 & 2 and Update) ;

2010:    Topps; Topps History of The Game; Topps History of The World Series;  Topps Tales of The Game; Topps More Tales of The Game; Topps Vintage Legends; Topps Update; Topps Chrome

2011:    Topps; Topps Factory; Topps Before There Was Topps; Topps Series 1 & 2 Diamond Duos; Topps History of Topps; Topps Series 1 Kimball Champions; Topps Toppstown; 

2012:    Topps; Topps Factory; Topps Classic Walk Offs; Topps Timeless Talents; Topps Gold Standard (Ser.1 & 2); Topps Golden Futures; Topps Mound Dominance;

2013:    Topps; Topps Factory; Topps Calling Card; Topps Chasing The Dream; Topps Chase It Down; Topps World Baseball Classic; Topps Update; Topps Update Post Season Heroes;Topps Update Franchise Forerunners; Topps Heritage Then & Now; Topps Heritage News Flashbacks;

2014:    Topps; Topps All Rookie Cup; Topps Future Is Now (Ser. 1 & 2); Topps Super Vereran; Topps Update Fond Farewells; Topps Heritage New Age Performers; Topps Heritage News Flashbacks; Topps Heritage Then & Now; 

2015:    Topps; Topps Arche-Types;  Topps Highlight of The Year (Ser. I,  II and UD); Topps Inspiration; Topps First Pitch (Ser. I & II); Topps Free Agent 40; Topps Heart of the Order; Topps Robbed; Topps The Babe Ruth Story; Topps Stepping Up; Topps Update; Topps Update MLB All-Star Access; Topps Update Pride and Perseverance; Topps Update Rarities; Topps Update Tape Measure Blasts; Topps Update Whatever Works;Topps Heritage Baseball Flashbacks; Topps Heritage New Age Performers; Topps Heritage News Flashbacks; Topps Heritage High Numbers Combo Cards;

2016

Topps (Series 1, 2 and Update)

2017

Bowman; Topps (Series 1, 2, and Update)

2018

Topps (Series 1, 2, and Update); Topps Walmart Holiday Snowflake

2019

Topps (Series 1and 2); Topps Walmart Holiday Snowflake; Topps Opening Day

2020

Topps (Series 1, 2 and Update); Topps Opening Day

2021

Bowman; Stadium Club; Topps (Series 1, 2 and Update); Topps Heritage High Numbers; 

2022

Bowman; Topps (Series 1, 2 and Update); Topps Heritage High Numbers;

2023

Topps Series 1;

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

BASKETBALL

 

1969-70:  Topps

1970-71:  Topps

1971-72:  Topps

1972-73:  Topps

1973-74:  Topps

1974-75:  Topps

1975-76:  Topps

1976-77:  Topps

1977-78:  Topps

1978-79:  Topps

1979-80:  Topps

1981-82:  Topps

1989-90:  Fleer

1990-91:  Fleer, Hoops,Skybox

1991-92:  Hoops, Hoops Update

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************

​

FOOTBALL

​

1954:  Bowman

1955:  Bowman

1956:  Topps

1957:  Topps

1958:  Topps

1959:  Topps

1960:  Fleer,  Topps

1961:  Fleer,  Topps

1962:  Fleer,  Topps

1963:  Fleer, Topps

1964:  Philadelphia,  Topps

1965:  Philadelphia

1966:  Philadelphia,  Topps

1967:  Philadelphia,  Topps

1968:  Topps Stand-Ups

1969:  Topps

1970:  Topps

1971:  Topps

1972:  Topps

1976:  Wonder Bread All Stars; Crane's Discs

1989:  Pro Set

1990:  Pro Set, Score, Topps

1991:  Pro Line; Ultra; Upper Deck; Upper Deck Extended; Upper Deck Game Breaker Holograms; Upper Deck Montana Heroes; Upper Deck Namath Heroes.

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************

​

NON-SPORTS

​

1959: Fabian

1959: Fleer Three Stooges

1962: Topps Civil War News

1965: Man From U.N.C.L.E.

​