Differences between 70, 71, 72, 73 topps?

[PolarBear]

I love the 73 set. If you're looking for a set with character, the 73 set has everything from ridiculously funny airbrushed hats and uniforms, odd photo locations like Tug McGraw in someones back yard with a crutch leaning against the shed, and bizarre actions shots like Luis Alvarado throwing on a playground lot next to a line of parked cars.

[JTysver]

Not to mention that Tug McGraw is wearing a glove with "Hammer" written on it. My guess is it may belong to John Milner whose nickname was the Hammer. Milner played left field in 1972, thus the glove not being a first base mitt which was Milner's normal position.

[parkerj33]

Hi there. I have built all 4 sets, and many copies of each except 72, which was the first i did as a kid in the 70s. Funny, back then in the late 70s, we all hated the 73s, so i never bothered to build it until nearly 40 years later. I have built about 5-6 copies of 73 and must say i love it for the photography and truly bizarre nature of most of the action shots. And its the best value, but that 6th series checklist is a beast, expect to pay $20+ for an umarked nice copy. The dwight evans RC is another toughie.

As for the others, they are a bit more widely collected in my opinion....and their value is probably settled and appropriate. the 1970 has that bench, ryan, rose, banks and clemente that are pricey. The 71 borders may make you crazy, all depends, but the ryan, clemente (again!), dusty RC are tough. Great action shots in 71 too....not as goofy as 73 but definitely still offbeat - harrelson has a nice shot of ryan. 72 is my least fave and although it was my first, i haven't touched it in 30 years.

[frankhardy]

I currently have all of these sets completed. I have Topps sets from 2014 down to 1968. But the catch is that I am not as concerned with condition as most are. Sure I like my cards to be as nice as possible but since we live on a budget I am more concerned with completion rather than quality. Having said that, my sets are mostly mid grade.

Currently working on 1967. Those high numbers are EXPENSIVE!