Toughest "regular" issued set from the 1970s??

[Exhibitman]

When I lived in NY [birth-1977] I never saw an OPC card. The first ones I saw [in 1979] were 1971s that belonged to a friend in SoCal. He moved from Boston and got them in MA. So I guess there was some OPC penetration into New England.

[laughlinfan]

As I have probably rambled about in other posts, growing up an hour south of Niagara Falls, I am fortunate enough to have great memories of OPC baseball cards I bought on cross border excursions. Things I loved and still remember -

The gum was much better than the Topps gum! I went through an old storage box and found a stack of OPC wrappers from the late 70s, and when I flipped through them, I could still smell the gum! Might not have been Doc Brown's Delorean, but I was truly in a time machine for a few moments!

They were cool and unique, especially the ones with both English and French on them - always loved issues that were different!

The 1974 Hank Aaron Specials with only two cards pictured on each!

And the edges! Some look like they were cut with blades duller than a year old razor!

Always stunning to me that people didn't love them as much as I did. One time I talked with my friend's son in the 90s, who collected cards, and was surprised to hear that he and his friends joked about OPCs as poor knockoffs. Made me feel bad for my old cardboard friends!

[tjv815]

I got back into collecting around 2000. and started with my birthyear set of 1972. Shortly thereafter, I added 69-79. I had a blast working on those sets. About five years ago, I decided that I would work on the OPC sets, figuring I would have another great time putting these sets together, and giving me another opportunity to pick up some classic vintage cards. Nobody told me how difficult it was going to be to work on these sets. I am having a blast, but it has been a slow process. And I will agree with some earlier posts about the 1974 OPC set. Without a doubt, a difficult set to build. I love those Aaron specials from 74. Very cool. And I have always enjoyed seeing the differences between the Topps issue and the OPC issue. The backs of the 1971 and 74 sets really stand out. Overall, from 65-80, I am having a good time working on these sets.

[brewing]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

When I lived in NY [birth-1977] I never saw an OPC card. The first ones I saw [in 1979] were 1971s that belonged to a friend in SoCal. He moved from Boston and got them in MA. So I guess there was some OPC penetration into New England.

Adam, typo or did you have a friend that collected cards when you were 2?

[Exhibitman]

Birth-1977 = birth to 1977, not Birth = 1977.

[ALR-bishop]

I have seen him. I am older than him ,but he is not that young

[Exhibitman]

I'm not even 50; i just look old. All the card groupies just wear me out.

[nolemmings]

Adam's not that old, he's just been around a long time. I have an early edition of his boxing card price guide that he graciously inscribed for me at time of purchase-- I would scan and show it but I'm afraid of damaging the papyrus and scroll. It's still handier than the chiseled stone tablet First Edition though.

[ALR-bishop]

Todd -- Did he provide a COA ? Did PSA slab it as authentic ?