3 best. 3 worst Topps issues

[nolemmings]

Darren,

The 1973 set was issued all at once where I lived, and I don't care what you believe. As a teenager who had collected for several years at the time, I was acutely aware of cards being issued in series over the years. The people at Ben Franklin, the only store within biking distance to sell baseball cards, more than once told me how they would not order more--the new series-- until the old supply had been sold, meaning I would usually have to encourage my friends to buy or just accumulate "doubles", as I generally had completed the series. So arrival of the new series cards was a big deal every year-- until 1973. They all came out at once.

Consider this. 1972 Topps high-numbers were printed in March 1972 or later, as the beautiful "traded" mini-set included Wise, Carlton and McLain playing for their new teams--no airbrush--and these players were not acquired until the end of February/early March. So we know that high-numbers from this set (and other years) were printed using photos taken from at least Spring training if not early season games.

Now look at 1973. The so-called "high numbers" include many airbrushes, e.g Earl Williams, Davey Johnson, Larry Hisle, of players who Topps could have corrected by Spring. Most importantly, McLain is a high number with an air-brushed Braves cap--and he had been released in March, having never played a game for Atlanta that season! Similarly, high-number Ken Reynolds is shown in an airbrushed Twins cap, and he had been traded to the Brewers in the Spring, having never pitched for Minnesota! Also high-number Jack Heidemann is shown with Cleveland, when he had been traded in the Spring to Oakland. So why are these guys appearing in the 1973 high series, in airbrushed caps no less, when they had been off those teams the entire season? Why, because the cards had been printed in the Winter of '72 and all at once.

[spec]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

Darren,

The 1973 set was issued all at once where I lived, and I don't care what you believe. As a teenager who had collected for several years at the time, I was acutely aware of cards being issued in series over the years. The people at Ben Franklin, the only store within biking distance to sell baseball cards, more than once told me how they would not order more--the new series-- until the old supply had been sold, meaning I would usually have to encourage my friends to buy or just accumulate "doubles", as I generally had completed the series. So arrival of the new series cards was a big deal every year-- until 1973. They all came out at once.

Consider this. 1972 Topps high-numbers were printed in March 1972 or later, as the beautiful "traded" mini-set included Wise, Carlton and McLain playing for their new teams--no airbrush--and these players were not acquired until the end of February/early March. So we know that high-numbers from this set (and other years) were printed using photos taken from at least Spring training if not early season games.

Now look at 1973. The so-called "high numbers" include many airbrushes, e.g Earl Williams, Davey Johnson, Larry Hisle, of players who Topps could have corrected by Spring. Most importantly, McLain is a high number with an air-brushed Braves cap--and he had been released in March, having never played a game for Atlanta that season! Similarly, high-number Ken Reynolds is shown in an airbrushed Twins cap, and he had been traded to the Brewers in the Spring, having never pitched for Minnesota! Also high-number Jack Heidemann is shown with Cleveland, when he had been traded in the Spring to Oakland. So why are these guys appearing in the 1973 high series, in airbrushed caps no less, when they had been off those teams the entire season? Why, because the cards had been printed in the Winter of '72 and all at once.

Todd is right on the money. I ended 16 years of collecting out of packs when Topps did not issue the 1973 set in series -- at least in the Boston/Brookline, Mass. area. Since 1959 I had purchased a box each time a series came out, discovering even at the age of 12 that that was the most efficient way to get all the cards in a series, at least when you lived in a rural area as I did until 1967. That strategy did not work when all 660 cards were distributed at once, so I just bought the entire set from a dealer.
Bo.b Richa.rdson

[BillP]

Originally Posted by spec

Todd is right on the money. I ended 16 years of collecting out of packs when Topps did not issue the 1973 set in series -- at least in the Boston/Brookline, Mass. area. Since 1959 I had purchased a box each time a series came out, discovering even at the age of 12 that that was the most efficient way to get all the cards in a series, at least when you lived in a rural area as I did until 1967. That strategy did not work when all 660 cards were distributed at once, so I just bought the entire set from a dealer.
Bo.b Richa.rdson

So Bob, you opened 7th series wax boxes in 66 and 67? I also live in Massachusetts and I can tell you in the Taunton/Lakeville area I never saw the last series. Shifted to Philly Football about late Aug / Sept. Rack Packs were around in grocery stores and Woolworth's but only early series.
Back to my questions, what do you remember about opening them, distribution wise.

thx billp

[spec]

Originally Posted by BillP

So Bob, you opened 7th series wax boxes in 66 and 67? I also live in Massachusetts and I can tell you in the Taunton/Lakeville area I never saw the last series. Shifted to Philly Football about late Aug / Sept. Rack Packs were around in grocery stores and Woolworth's but only early series.
Back to my questions, what do you remember about opening them, distribution wise.

thx billp

Bill,
In 1966 and '67 I did most of my collecting in Winter Park and Orlando, Fla., where I was in college. I have no recollection of the 1966 high numbers, but I do remember not finding 7th series cards in 1967 until I visited my cousins in North Reading, Mass., around Labor Day. The precise details escape me, but I bought a box there (I think my younger cousin did, too) and we were able to complete our sets. I think we got the only two boxes in that neighborhood because the convenience stores all were pushing the Topps Red Sox stickers, which didn't excite me (although I did complete a set). Also had trouble finding the 1967 6th series in Pensacola, Fla., where I lived and collected from 1957 to 1967, but I found a box in Mountainside, NJ, while visiting my aunt on our way up to Boston.

[Harliduck]

To all who are posting nuggets on the 66s and 67 high number packs...THANKS!


3 Favorite -

55 Topps
66 Topps
67 Topps


3 Least -

58 Topps
72 Topps
77 Topps


This changes for me all the time, lol. I also LOVE the 71 Topps set which I just completed and worked thru several upgrades to finally call my entire set EX. TOUGH fricken set...most work I have EVER done. I have over 400 doubles of this set due to all the work involved...

[BillP]

Originally Posted by spec

Bill,
In 1966 and '67 I did most of my collecting in Winter Park and Orlando, Fla., where I was in college. I have no recollection of the 1966 high numbers, but I do remember not finding 7th series cards in 1967 until I visited my cousins in North Reading, Mass., around Labor Day. The precise details escape me, but I bought a box there (I think my younger cousin did, too) and we were able to complete our sets. I think we got the only two boxes in that neighborhood because the convenience stores all were pushing the Topps Red Sox stickers, which didn't excite me (although I did complete a set). Also had trouble finding the 1967 6th series in Pensacola, Fla., where I lived and collected from 1957 to 1967, but I found a box in Mountainside, NJ, while visiting my aunt on our way up to Boston.

I agree on the RS stickers, coincidently, I was on vacation as late as February of 68 in Lexington, ma and was able to buy them. Pasted them to my matchbox case.

[Peter_Spaeth]

dislike a lot
1970
1968
1960
1973

(don't consider anything after 1975 a real card )

like a lot
1965 (WHY does Mantle have to have his eyes almost closed though, ruins what could have been a great card?)
1957
1952
1954
1971
1967

[ALR-bishop]

Peter--you talking about the card where he is hitting a home run while whiffing on a Gibson fastball ?

I have lots of non cards alongside my real cards

[Gr8Beldini]

Best:
1956 with the beautiful action shots and best player selection (by far) of any 1950's set. Only set with Jackie, Ted Williams and Mantle together. If only there were a Musial...
1965: Yogi and Spahnnie as Mets; Beautiful contrast between the heavy blue Yankee uniforms and the pink border. Ditto the Dodger blue against the orange. Nicest looking group of key cards (excluding the Clemente who looks somewhat constipated).
1963: Love the color borders and quality of photographs. Nicest reverse of any vintage set. My favorite Mays, Clemente and Koufax cards. The only card of Dalkowski... Ashburn, Hodges, Marv, Choo-Choo, Woodling, Casey (et al) look killer in those Mets uniforms.
Worst:
1961: Boring design with drab photography (other than the magnificent All-Star cards). Ugliest Mays and Killebrew cards of all-time.
1959: More border than photograph. Ugliest Mantle (tied with the 67 Topps mug shot).
1968: Dumb design; laden with hatless pix and black magic markered hats; boring reverse.