Is there such thing as junk era vintage cards?

[homerunhitter]

I think my point on my post is for example are there many people here chafing 1979 topps or 1978 topps? Or getting excited about 1977 topps! I think more would get excited about 1952 topps or 1953 topps or chasing 1955 topps or 1956 topps versus 1974 topps!

[G1911]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

I think my point on my post is for example are there many people here chafing 1979 topps or 1978 topps? Or getting excited about 1977 topps! I think more would get excited about 1952 topps or 1953 topps or chasing 1955 topps or 1956 topps versus 1974 topps!

I mean, 1952-1956 is obviously more popular. I don’t think comparing less than favorably to the pinnacle of the golden era is the barometer of junk.

[homerunhitter]

I’m sorry maybe I’m not communicating the question I’m asking correctly. Hopefully someone else will come along and hopefully understand the question I’m asking.

[Beercan collector]

I don’t think there’s any pre-1980 junk era mainly because of topps poor printing
- It’s still fun to find a 1975 card where a players image is focused or a 76 card without print dots - 1978 and 1979 have horrendous centering .
Seems to me quality control was pretty good in 1977
- I still expect anything from 1980 to be in mint condition .

[toppcat]

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[toppcat]

1970 was a starting point because there were no Mantles. 1972 to me is the end of the vintage era, not the least because it's the year Topps went public and dramatically changed their business model.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

I think my point on my post is for example are there many people here chafing 1979 topps or 1978 topps? Or getting excited about 1977 topps! I think more would get excited about 1952 topps or 1953 topps or chasing 1955 topps or 1956 topps versus 1974 topps!

I would say this is not true in my experience at all.

Many, if not most collectors enjoy the memories and feelings they receive from their collections. The cards that twist the heart strings of childhood will bring you out and are usually the first sets purchased.

With the younger crowd on here, there's constant mentions of sets I have little interest in like 88 or 91 Topps. For myself, I prefer 1985 Topps over any and all other sets of any year as it was my favorite year of collecting and when I jumped in full force.

Most members have favorites of years they began, I have seen true excitement for the 22' Topps Heritage with the 73' format. I would rate this one of the worst designs Topps ever created, but I would never look down on someone's childhood whimsy.

It's all perspective, for me the happiness I get from those memories far surpasses other sets. I still love them, but its a different kind of love. Those days of riding bikes to get cards, a soda, and a Marathon Bar rule all.

[Jenx34]

Originally Posted by homerunhitter

I think my point on my post is for example are there many people here chafing 1979 topps or 1978 topps? Or getting excited about 1977 topps! I think more would get excited about 1952 topps or 1953 topps or chasing 1955 topps or 1956 topps versus 1974 topps!

The simple answer to that is Duh! Of course people are more excited to chase '52 and '53 vs. 1974. The reason is time.

1970's card values are rising, especially in high grade due to time passing. In 20 years, you'll think differently about 70's cards. Granted one will always have a set they like less than others, but watch card values, especially of the stars over the next 5-10 years and beyond. They won't be thought of as junk.

One thing that does differentiate sets after 1973, is there is no extra value for High #s, common or stars. A Mark Lemongello or Rogelio Moret card will likely never command any value, but mid to low grade 50's commons are often sold for $1 or $2, so it's not like they are skyrocketing. There is a little more cache to older stars. There was also an air of mystery about many from the 50's and 60's due to the lack of television.

The only way we will ever truly know what the hard definition of the junk era is will be in 30-40 years, are people seeking out the stars from the mid-80s to early 90s. If a 1983 Tony Gwynn in a PSA 8 doesn't appreciate proportionately (as it seems to have stayed stagnant for the most part now), then you'll have your answer. But to look at the 1970's cards as junk, in my opinion, indicates a narrow minded view and ignores what history shall provide us.

[RCMcKenzie]

I'm sort of agreeing with the OP that the "junk vintage" era is 1957 thru 1979. I will carefully place a 1956 Topps common into a cardsaver, but 1957's are shuffled up and dealt into a 5000 count box with Joe Montana and Walter Payton rookies.

It probably depends on your own era. I bought packs in the mid 70's and bought late 50's cards in lots at shows for pennies, and put them all together in boxes.

I would categorize card eras as before 1886, 1886-1919, 1920-1938, 1939-1956, 1957-1979, 1980-1992, 1993-today.