favorite 1970's Topps set?

[goudey1933]

1972...hated it as a kid...appreciate the funky cool factor now.
Scott

[jasonc]

1971, like the black borders, also some challenging high numbers. Actually, it's not even close IMO.

1975 has a good rookie class though. Not a big fan of the design though.

[jerrys]

1970 & 1971 Topps

Looking for trades in both sets - I have all the stars.

Need commons for commons in high grade only.

[ALR-bishop]

1972

[MattyC]

1. 1975 Mini
2. 1971
3. 1972

[KCRfan1]

I love the 1973 set. A bit nostalgic for me as these were the first cards I remember buying a lot of as a kid. I also like the set for having Mays, and Clemente, along with Aaron, and the Schmidt rookie card. There is a good blend of HoFr's. Centering is a bear though.....

[Vintagevault13]

1974. I know many don't like this set, but I really think it is undervalued and deserves more respect. It has some of the best action shots of any set (best cards of Ryan and Seaver IMO). The Aaron Specials #s 2-6 are also great.


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[the 'stache]

1971, 1975, 1977, and 1979. In that order.



There's something about the black borders that I really like with the '71 set. It can be hard to find clean examples of your favorite players, as the edges show imperfections so easily. But when you do find that keeper, it looks sharp.



The '75 set, you've got to love the colors. Like the '71 set, there are quality issues. These are hard to find with really fantastic centering.

[K-Nole]

1971 is my favorite. We are putting this set together right now (Sorry jerrys, but most of my dups are VG-VG/EX, otherwise I would get with you to trade) and am loving it. More semi star and "name" players (Like John Lowenstien, Cesar Cedeno) Rookies then I thought were in it. I also like the multiple series of playoff and world series. I am a big fan of the 70's Orioles, and there are many F. Robinson & B. Robinson cards in these series.
Not to mention, how we got a good majority of the cards we have. MANY were donated by members of this board. With the kindness of others, it also adds to the "meaning" and "history" of putting this together with my son.

2nd Favorite would have to be 1979, only because that is the year and set, that was my very first ever buying, when i was a kid. In our set, those same cards in the book, are the very cards I pulled from packs as an 8 year old kid.
Including both Bumb Wills variations.

[KCRfan1]

Originally Posted by Vintagevault13

1974. I know many don't like this set, but I really think it is undervalued and deserves more respect. It has some of the best action shots of any set (best cards of Ryan and Seaver IMO). The Aaron Specials #s 2-6 are also great.


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I will agree with that. The cards are plentiful, and can be found in great condition for little money. What's not to like, it's 40 year old cardboard!

[savedfrommyspokes]

72s for sure

[JollyElm]

I agree with Ed about the 1974 set. It really is a great collection of cards. Love it!!
But 1972 is by far my favorite. Although the player selection can be described as bizarre at best, the 'In Action' cards are great. And the high numbered 'Traded' cards are really cool.

[Collectorsince62]

1971. There's something about a near mint card from that set that puts them in a class apart from the others in that decade. Back in '71 I thought collecting cards was no longer cool for a 16-year old, so I stopped . . . but not for long. I came to my senses later that year but it was late in the season. Lucky for me because instead of the usual pack ripping, handling and packing into a shoebox (death to black borders) I ordered the complete set from Larry Fritsch over that Winter for about $25 where it remained untouched for years until I carefully put them in sheets a few years ago. I upgraded a few due to centering problems, but looking through that set of pristine black borders now is pure joy.

[jb67]

Originally Posted by Collectorsince62

1971. There's something about a near mint card from that set that puts them in a class apart from the others in that decade. Back in '71 I thought collecting cards was no longer cool for a 16-year old, so I stopped . . . but not for long. I came to my senses later that year but it was late in the season. Lucky for me because instead of the usual pack ripping, handling and packing into a shoebox (death to black borders) I ordered the complete set from Larry Fritsch over that Winter for about $25 where it remained untouched for years until I carefully put them in sheets a few years ago. I upgraded a few due to centering problems, but looking through that set of pristine black borders now is pure joy.

Agree with your statement about the 71's. My favorite 70's card without question.

[PM770]

I love the 75s. Certainly my favorite of all-time, not just the 70s. I also really like the 76 and 79 designs too. 74 has a good look. Love the black of the 71s. The 70s was just a great time for baseball card designs!

[K-Nole]

AAAAAAND, these are the stories that I LOVE to hear. Thanks for sharing. To the majority of us on this board, we are collectors, and we collect for the love of the hobby. Not the money or value or re-sale aspect, but rather because we love the hobby and how it takes us back to our childhood.
Thanks again for sharing. BTW, me and my son are getting closer to the end on this set. With a lot of of help and kindness from this board.

Originally Posted by Collectorsince62

1971. There's something about a near mint card from that set that puts them in a class apart from the others in that decade. Back in '71 I thought collecting cards was no longer cool for a 16-year old, so I stopped . . . but not for long. I came to my senses later that year but it was late in the season. Lucky for me because instead of the usual pack ripping, handling and packing into a shoebox (death to black borders) I ordered the complete set from Larry Fritsch over that Winter for about $25 where it remained untouched for years until I carefully put them in sheets a few years ago. I upgraded a few due to centering problems, but looking through that set of pristine black borders now is pure joy.

[CW]

1977.

Picked mostly for nostalgic reasons, but also because the set has some of the best baseball card photos in the history of Topps cards.

For example....

[brewing]

1971 - First use of action shots, and unique black border.

1970, 1973, 1975, 1978 in random order round out my top 5.

Dislike 1972 horrible player selection for IA cards and I am not a fan of the design. 1976 backs have to be the worst. I think the worst set in the first 50 years is 1979.

[Collectorsince62]

Originally Posted by K-Nole

AAAAAAND, these are the stories that I LOVE to hear. Thanks for sharing. To the majority of us on this board, we are collectors, and we collect for the love of the hobby. Not the money or value or re-sale aspect, but rather because we love the hobby and how it takes us back to our childhood.
Thanks again for sharing. BTW, me and my son are getting closer to the end on this set. With a lot of of help and kindness from this board.

AAAAAAND you nailed it. I have no intention of selling or grading the set - I just enjoy having it. Good luck finishing your own set. And working on it with your son is even better.

[chris6net]

1972 for me by a large margin. I think the 72 set was the best ever!

[Hammerin'Hank]

1st. 1975
2nd. 1971

I love the 1971 Topps but anything below an 8 grade looks more damaged then it really is. There was a beautiful raw set break of 1971 Topps auction that closed last night on Ebay. Looked like a 9 mint Earnie Banks that only went for $17.

[Lueth2048]

1972. The first set I collected as a kid.

[Bigdaddy]

First would have to be 1971. Love the black borders and the action shots.

I'd have to go with '77 and '78 next, as those were the sets I collected as a kid. The first cards I ever bought were from 1977. I still remember having a stack of Carews but only one well loved Pete Rose.

[bobsbbcards]

(in date order)

1970 Kellogg's
1970 Topps Candy Lids
1970 Topps Super
1971 OPC
1972 Kellogg's All-Time Greats
1972 Topps
1972 Topps Candy Lids
1973 Topps Comics
1973 Topps Pinups
1973 Topps 1953 Reprints
1974 Topps Deckle Edge
1977 MSA Cup Lids

[ALR-bishop]

So what is your ranking not using dates, Bob ? And do you prefer the white or gray back 74 Deckles ? And is the Carl Furillo your favorite of the 73 Reprints ? And why are there no logos on the Comics and Pin Ups ?

[savedfrommyspokes]

Bob, one other question(somehow Al forgot to ask ), how challenging have the last two series of the 71 OPC set been for you?

I have about 10 of the hi#s and am about ready to give up on completing this set and settle for all but the last two series complete. From 1950-present, this has been by far the most challenging set (excluding any US regional or test sets) I have attempted to complete.

[ALR-bishop]

...is challenging for Bob

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

...Everything is challenging for Bob

Tru dat.

It's actually been YEARS since I bought a '71 OPC card, so the fact that I completed it back in the days when the cards were cheap made it much easier. That said, I agree with you that trying to complete it now would be horrific.

I did try and complete a 1970 OPC set a card at a time within the last five years and ended up giving up--the last series was just too difficult.