How About Some Love for 1974's?

[JollyElm]

It's funny to me that no love is ever given to the 1974 Topps set when people are compiling lists of great post-war sets.

To me, Topps reached their high water mark when it came to using live action shots on the cards that year. They used a wide variety of 'poses' and game situations that are far from the cliched shots you usually find.

I just grabbed a few pics from ebay to show the majestic nature of this set. If you look at all the action shots from 1974, it gives you a great idea of what happens during the course of a game. I unabashedly love it!!!!

1974a.jpg
1974b.jpg
1974c.jpg

And let's not forget the awesome horizontal shots. Yes, most of them involve catchers, but they add such a great element to the set.

1974d.jpg

[goudey1933]

The Nolan Ryan is my all time favorite card.

[ALR-bishop]

I like the 74 set. It was an historic set in that it was the first one where Topps eliminated series distribution and published all of the set at once. The Washington/San Diego twist was also cool.

Up until 1994, in addition to the regular Topps sets, I also collected all Topps test or insert sets for each year, and 1974 was a good one for extras.

Admittedly there was that ugly Traded set. But the 1974 Deckle set was nice, and I collected that 3 ways, white back, gray back and undeckled proofs. I also have the Action Emblem Stickers set in cloth and cardboard form.. And I have a set of the 12 Puzzles and a set of the 74 Stamps...and the Team Checklists. Topps test and insert sets , which were magnificent during the 60s and early 70s, dropped off quite a bit after 74

[SPMIDD]

Whenever I get tired of collecting Mantle's (maybe never) the 1974 set is my next one to buy. You can get a nice '74 set for a very reasonable price in my opinion.

[71buc]

The 74 set was the first one I completed buying pack after pack as an 11 year old. The Garvey, Robinson(s), Rose, Reggie, and Ryan are beautiful. However, I always loved the Ralph Garr.

[Northviewcats]

1. Not to difficult to get NM cards, especially when compared to the 1973s
2. Winfield rookie
3. Washington variations
4. First traded set?
5. Hank Aaron specials
6. Lots of great action shots of Hall of Famers: Ryan already mentioned, but I love the Reggie Jackson, Cepeda & the Killebrew card
7. Attractive framing with the adjacent banners top and bottom
8. Red border autographed team cards (a parallel subset before its time)
9. Jesus Alou error
10. I say Apadaco; you say Apadaca

Fun set to collect.

Best regards,

Joe

[Rickyy]

Originally Posted by 71buc

The 74 set was the first one I completed buying pack after pack as an 11 year old. The Garvey, Robinson(s), Rose, Reggie, and Ryan are beautiful. However, I always loved the Ralph Garr.

I was just like Mike...this was the first one I attempted to complete pack by pack... last regular card was Dave Sells that I actually had to trade a friend for...it was conducted on the porch of his grandma's mobile home park... on a nice summer afternoon nice memories! Later on...went to complete the master set by getting a 1974 Washington Nationals Dave Roberts at a card show some 20 years later...

Ricky Y

[7nohitter]

Originally Posted by goudey1933

The Nolan Ryan is my all time favorite card.

Mine too...I have about 20 of them!

[Flit0305]

I have been putting together a raw set for a couple of years, only picking
centered and sharp corners. I started collecting in 1972, so the 70's sets are special.

[Touch'EmAll]

I just wish the '74 Schmidt looked halfway as nice as these. I remember getting my mom to take me to Toy City to get a couple of those 3-in-one cello packs. You would go thru the whole box looking for the best showing front or back stars. Also, just shaking my head at the fact the last years (1973) Cy Young went to Palmer when Ryan pitched not one but 2 no-hitters and broke Koufax' single season strikeout record. SOB Palmer had as great team and the voters gave him brownie points for his wins - when hands down the best pitcher was Ryan. I was 9 years old and lived less than half hour to Anaheim Stadium - saw ryan many times. You always heard the before game crowd banter, "will Ryan throw another no-hitter tonight?"

Steve

[Samsdaddy]

I know this thread is a few months old but I am back into collecting after taking a while off.

I like the 1974 set a lot. But, I think it does not get its just due because, in my opinion, the next year, Topps hit a big winner with the 1975 set.

The color and style of the '75 set along with the rookies such as Brett, Yount and Rice just over shadow the 1974 set.

Just my two cents.

[MattyC]

The photos in 74 are awesome. Great sampling. Has inspired me to go find a nice raw set for a binder now!

[David W]

Torre brushed back, Reitz blowing a bubble, Simba and his long. Great action Cardinals.