3 best. 3 worst Topps issues

[Sidepocket]

1963 may be the best looking when in NM centered condition. Just gorgeous. And yes they were great fun to open back in the day! Almost HD quality photos compared to everything that came before. Phenomenal backs, easy to read, even a cartoon.

1957 had that "old school" look, great backgrounds including several of the billboard covered fences that to me were part of what made the old stadiums so classic. Baggy uniforms, small gloves, interesting colors, they almost look like they came from the forties.

1961 although much hated I really like the photo/painting style of the cards. Cool in their simplicity although like many issues too many hatless head shots.

There really aren't any bad designs in the 50's/60's in my opinion. Well, maybe 1958 although it's growing on me.

Worst? 1979 I think. Horrible quality, not even fun to open the centering is so atrocious.

1970 is pretty boring.

1981 is very unmemorable. But 1989 is worse.

[Orioles1954]

Worst to first--Pre-1980 only. Working in the auction industry I've handled the majority of these sets hundreds of times. My ranking is based on the "whole picture" including design and player selection.

1974---worst by a mile
1970
1979
1977
1978
1973
1976
1975
1969
1966
1964
1971
1972
1968
1960
1958
1962
1959
1955
1961
1954
1963
1967
1957
1965
1956
1953
1952

[ALR-bishop]

Welcome Sidepocket. I agree with you almost 100 percent

[bobsbbcards]

I'll take a shot at the worst-to-first list (1951 to 1979). If there's a particular series of that year where the skill of the photographers/design department clearly stood out, it's shown in parenthesis:

1979
1978
1973
1975
1974
1962 (high numbers)
1958
1970 (semi highs)
1977
1959
1976
1951
1953
1971 (high numbers)
1964 (semi highs)
1952
1961 (high numbers)
1963
1960
1972 (semi highs and high numbers)
1955
1968 (first series)
1954
1965 (semi highs)
1957
1966 (semi highs and high numbers)
1969 (first and second series)
1956
1967 (semi highs and high numbers)

[bobsbbcards]

Wandering through the first 132 or so cards from 1969, it continues to amaze me how beautiful some of the cards are. Here are some that exemplify Topps baseball in the '60s (in numerical order):

[ALR-bishop]

Good list, Bob, except, as usual, you are wrong about 1959

[onlyvintage62]

Originally Posted by bobsbbcards

I'll take a shot at the worst-to-first list (1951 to 1979). If there's a particular series of that year where the skill of the photographers/design department clearly stood out, it's shown in parenthesis:

1979
1978
1973
1975
1974
1962 (high numbers)
1958
1970 (semi highs)
1977
1959
1976
1951
1953
1971 (high numbers)
1964 (semi highs)
1952
1961 (high numbers)
1963
1960
1972 (semi highs and high numbers)
1955
1968 (first series)
1954
1965 (semi highs)
1957
1966 (semi highs and high numbers)
1969 (first and second series)
1956
1967 (semi highs and high numbers)

Thanks for the effort, that list is spot on IMO. Notice how the early / mid seventies cards are usually deemed the worst overall. The 73, 74 sets (also the FB sets of that year) were HORRIBLE from a paper stock standpoint and a C minus from a photo standpoint. It is my understanding that Topps was going thru some tough financial times then and cut back on the quality of the paper.

How about the fifth series of 1969, the one of the photos with the filter over the lens.

Disagree with you on the first series of 1968.. apparently it tested so bad that they had to change it.

For some reason in most cases the later series cards had better quality photos.

Just my two cents.

[Jayworld]

I find it somewhat interesting that in many cases, the year sets that rank high on lists are the ones that people first collected, which suggests more of a nostalgia feel in many respects regarding the rankings.

My first set to complete outright from packs was 1977, but I had been collecting since 1974. I think from pure design and photo quality (as well as backs), the 1976 set is a very clean set. Although the 1975 set gets a lot of love, from the unusual multi-color front designs, the Yount/Brett rookie cards, and the vertical backs, but I think the backs are very hard to read, especially in lower lighting conditions. Heck, I even have to get out a magnifying glass to see the numbers on the backs at times unless I put the card under direct light.

The 1969 and 1964 sets are beautiful sets and nice, clear backs, too. I thought the 1981 set was and unusual and distinct set with the team caps in the lower left corner; they even got the Pirates pillbox cap correct and the Padres "yellow mission bell" front panel on the caps. 1982 was a poor design, as was 1984, which in effect was a redesign of the 1983 cards with action shot and panel.

[Gr8Beldini]

Originally Posted by onlyvintage62

For some reason in most cases the later series cards had better quality photos.

Just my two cents.

Totally agree, particularly in 1969, 1971, and especially 1972.

[Rich Klein]

Best: 57, 67, 77

Worst: 58. 59. 73

Rich

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by onlyvintage62

Disagree with you on the first series of 1968.. apparently it tested so bad that they had to change it.

[onlyvintage62]

Point Taken Those are gorgeous!! But always wondered why they changed design. Given the know fact that TOPPS was somewhat cost conscious to say the least why the change. I had heard that it tested poorly and had gotten a bad reaction.

Does anybody have any insight?