Early 70s football - what was lost!

[laughlinfan]

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.

[tim]

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

[laughlinfan]

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!

[jb67]

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

[laughlinfan]

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

[Bigdaddy]

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

[CowboysGuide]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

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

Very funny! Here's another example...

1973 Topps Claude Humphrey, Falcons - w/Roger Staubach

[laughlinfan]

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.

[jefferyepayne]

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