Early 70s football - what was lost!
 

I think some of us have touched on this topic a bit before, but Topps losing the license to show team insignia on their cards for several years in the 70s really cost us some stunningly beautiful cards. The ugly airbrushing that was put in place left a lot to be desired. A few months back, I picked up some Topps production match prints, I guess they could best be termed, and what was lost is fairly striking. Interesting that they had to obscure the NFL patch as well.

Very cool! Cropping the football out of the above shot is another thing that lessens the impact.

I guess they did have limited real estate to work with, but I certainly agree - that ball sailing out of Johnny U's hand is a thing of beauty!

1973 had the airbrush guys busy again. Ugh!

Very interesting. Those match prints are way beyond cool! Thanks for sharing.

Lilly
 

Dug out a few more... not a Cowboy fan, but the helmet stars are certainly missed on the final product...

I guess this is one case of where being a Browns fan has its advantages.

1973 Topps Claude Humphrey, Falcons - w/Roger Staubach
 

Very funny! Here's another example...

1973 Topps Claude Humphrey, Falcons - w/Roger Staubach
http://www.thecowboysguide.com/misc/1973T-sm.jpg

http://www.thecowboysguide.com/misc/1973T-2.jpg

Hey Tom! I guess that's looking on the bright side - not a lot of perks for Browns fans the last several years! (spoken sympathetically by a Bills fan here - one of these years one of our teams will be good again! Right? Right???)

Steve, that picture is striking - the final card, not so much. That big black blob on Humphrey's shoulder looks like something I could have done. It also looks like they airbrushed that linesman in the background into Babe Ruth for some reason. Imagine if they had had the logo rights, and had just issued a 53 Bowman baseball pure card style format for these action shots.

I guess they didn't like all the dirt on Humphrey's pants either as they took that off too. Also the officials hat in the background. Looks like they tried to give him hair.

jeff

Taking a closer look at that official on the sideline. What a horrible hack-job. Looks like they just grabbed a head-and-shoulders image off another person. Yikes!

http://www.thecowboysguide.com/misc/1973T-cu.jpg

Could have been worse, I suppose - he could have suffered the fate of the poor guy in the knit cap near the 20 on this one! And why did they touch up the football to make it look like Greg is hanging onto a piece of cardboard?

Definite low water era for Topps, vintage wise. Still prefer them to today's cards.

Knit cap guy must be in the witness protection program.

Well,that's interesting. I wonder why they airbrushed out an official? Are they considered NFL products as well?

Looking closer at knit cap guy, they airbrushed out much of his body, but put him behind a pole in the first row in the stands. But they left his legs on the field! :)

I wonder if this guy ever knew he was on a football card, and that he was unceremoniously pushed off of the field and into the stands...