Curious about 1973 Topps distribution

[Tomman1961]

Staub is not in the set as he had contract "issues" with Topps in 1972 and 1973. Though he does appear on Tommy Agee's card in 1973. I opened only cello in NJ in 1973. No wax at my local store. No Blue Checklists. I remember my Dad buying me a rack pack in NJ- no blue in that either.

[moeson]

Todd, now I understand why you wanted me to repost the Haber article. Even with the rudimentary hobby press back in 1973, collectors were well aware that the set was available all at once in many areas of the country. Memories may vary, but Haber was not lying.

[bigfanNY]

The Article says that Topps hopes to have all 5 series distributed to most of the country by April 1st. And the article on 1973 wrappers says that only 5th series wrappers say all 660 cards. Series 1 thru Five had Vending cases. I have only ever owned a 1st series box but have seen other 1973 Vending cases from a unique series. Yes Topps shortened there distribution and by late April or May in some places you could buy packs from all 5 series but that is very different from packs containing cards from all 5 series which was the case in 1974. Anybody out there own a 1973 vending case with cards from all 5 series? 1973 cards were issued in series. The article on wrappers also says where checklist cards came from some 5th series packs had them included and had an offer on the wrapper to get a set. my understanding limited distribution I never opened a pack of 1973 5th series with a checklist card but I opened a number of 5th series packs back in 73.

[moeson]

[nolemmings]

Like Chris6net, I had at least one complete set very early, and probably two or close to it by the end of the school year in May. This by a teenager who was not exactly able to buy them by the case. The cards came on schedule in March--no later than any other year-- and the packs I opened had players from all 5 series in them. There were no series packs in my home town in Southern Minnesota. Like the box topper said, the all 660 series was available ALL SEASON, so unless other parts of the country had series 1-5 issued throughout February, with what, a series issued every week (which seems unlikely), then the all in one series did not come last but was contemporaneous with the cards being available by series.

Actually, I will back off somewhat to say that I can't expressly recall if each pack had cards from all series-- I only know that when I opened my usual five pack or more purchase, I had cards from all five series out of the same box. I suppose it's possible one pack had all series X and the next pack all series Y. I doubt it and think I would have remembered that as unusual, and I note that the article Howie just posted made no mention of that as relates to OPC. Also someone buying just one pack would find the all-in-one advertising to be false or misleading if each pack had just one series for contents. As a 14 year old I just knew that the set was quickly and easily completed, and there were no series (note that the checklists make no mention of the word "series" either, just card nos. 1-132, etc., which is further evidence, to me anyway, that the all in one series was intended from the outset).

[ALR-bishop]

Todd ---hopefully you realize this is all just anecdotal