More Popular: 71 or 75 BB

[esquiresports]

I've seen a few "favorite set" and "least favorite set" of the 1970s posts. I recall the 1971 showing up on favorites much more often than 1975. Neither seemed to get many "least favorite" votes. As far as cards graded, it's close to a tie, with 217K 1971s and 207K 1975 Topps cards being graded by PSA.

[JollyElm]

To me it's pretty simple. The 71's are more popular for a few reasons:

1. The tough black borders make most people like me on the constant lookout to upgrade the cards we have.

2. There's a very wide variety of action shots that add a great visual element to the set.

3. Since the set was released in series, it's always tough finding the much sought after high numbers. By 1975, that element was gone.

4. A bunch of HOF'ers--Mays, Banks, Wilhelm and Mazeroski immediately come to mind--had one of their last cards in this set.

I think the 1975 set unquestionably wins the HOF rookie card battle, though. Brett, Yount, Rice and Carter. Niiiiice!!

[67_Palmer]

Both great sets, but if I'm picking one, I'm going with the 71's.

[39special]

I also like the '71 set.The '75 set has a nice look to it,and doesn't have the high priced hi#.

[Rich Klein]

only because they are harder to complete than 75's

[the 'stache]

It's a tough call for me, because one of my favorite all-time cards are in each set:

My '71 Clemente



And my '75 Yount



I think aesthetically, I like the '71 set a little more because of the reasons mentioned, the black border, and the action shots.

Then again, the '75 set also has George Brett's rookie....

[Paul S]

...but for my own self I prefer the 71. Both sets have great and special cards/images in their own right, but the '75 has a design that I feel detracts from images. The 71 gives the images their due. It's like for 75, Peter Max did the design, and for 71 Johnny "The Man In Black" Cash had them silkscreened on his shirt. 75 is of its' time. 71 is timeless.