Posted By:
Todd (nolemmings)Many years ago, I read somewhere and then followed the definitions vintage and classic, the former for pre-WWII cards and the latter for cards issued from 1946-1972. It works for me.
In my view, 1972 was the end of an era-- cards issued in series. Both Topps Baseball and Football were issued as one series beginning in 1973, and although they regionally and/or selecctively issued Baseball in several series in 1973, the fact remains all the cards were printed at once, so the use of several series was meaningless. They also started the "in action" craze in 1972 (a few examples can be found in '71), and the following years led to more and more of these shots, and therefore fewer "poses". IMHO, the quality of the photos used for the cards declined in the '70s. Also, I believe the card stock changed as well, and mass production began to take off. For me, then, 1972 seems like a reasonable separation point.
I don't know why the line is drawn on other years--maybe 1969 because it was the end of a decade or the end of nickel packs. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.