there is more than one way to obtain a kaat (and complete the 1972 topps set)

some time around halloween, i decided to buck up and finish my 1972 topps set. i had picked up a few cards here and there this year, but had no real focus on obtaining the last 18 or so cards i needed. they were all high numbers, including rod carew's in action card and the joe morgan and steve carlton traded cards, so the task was a bit daunting.

i went to one of the local card shows in november and picked up a few cards that i needed, but didn't finish the set as i had hoped.  i live in the wrong place to find decently priced copies of that aforementioned carew card, as well as that of his teammate, jim kaat.  after a couple of online purchases, the kaat in action card was the last one i needed.

in what was a most unexpected and appreciated mailday, mr. haverkamp sent me the kaat card i needed to finish the 787 card set.

good old fashioned trading is a great way to finish a set, especially a vintage one.  thanks jim!

here are the other nine cards that made up the last ten needs.

i purchased all but the mazeroski from greg morris cards on ebay.

so now i have completed the topps sets from 1970 through 2010, although i think i sold some of my sets from the 90s that had been left at my parents' place. that's ok though, as i am toying with the idea of keeping only my flagship sets through 1979 - they are the only ones i've bindered:

my set building focus shifts now to my ongoing attempts with 1965 and 1957, along with some modern sets - 2002 topps 206 and 2001 topps heritage.  i'd love to trade if you can help a blogger out!