Until 1973, cards were released in series, and the high numbers were released last. Sometimes, stores didn't need as many, if they still had unsold cards from previous series in stock. So, they may have ordered fewer, or none, of the last series. They knew once baseball season ended, kids would be buying cards of other sports, and unsold baseball cards would be dead inventory.
Others can elaborate further, but that's it in a nutshell.
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