Is there anybody who doesn't like '71 BB?

[4815162342]

1971 Topps? Nah, I'll take 1985 Donruss for my annoying condition sensitive black borders fix!

[Beatles Guy]

Not really a '71 fan. I really like '73,'75, and '79.

[theseeker]

of the 1971 set. It's my favorite design of all time. Not big into RC's, so that's never a determining factor for me. The 1972 set finishes a distant second for the decade in my book. It's phsychodelic design really embodies the era. It's a sharp contrast to the classic feel of the 1971 set. Although many collectors find it dull,l I also like the 1970 set.

It was a decade of changing times. The 1971 was the first set with action shots, making the 1970 set the last not to have them. The sets grow to record numbers in the early '70's. 1973 was the last year of series issues, making the overproduced 1974 set a first. 1976 marked a change, with its increased photo quality and clean design. It is an underappreciated era in the collector world. The 1971 set will always stand out for its timeless elegance.

[ALR-bishop]

Good post John. I am an old guy so the 50s and 60s are my kind of cards, but I very much understand your view of the 70s (which is when I entered the work force) and it's changing cards

[Scott T]

My favorite set from the 1970 is the 1973 issue.



Here are my highly unofficial rankings:

1. 1973
2. 1977
3. 1974
4. 1970
5. 1972
6. 1971
7. 1975
8. 1976
9. 1978
10. 1979

[Collectorsince62]

I was 16 in 1971 and all my card collecting friends had already stopped buying baseball cards. I decided it was time for me to stop as well. So the boxes went into a closet and I turned my attention to other interests . . . until about August. I bought a few '71 packs just to see what they looked like, and the black borders and especially the action shots lured me back, and I've stayed with it ever since. My little hiatus actually turned out for the best. Since I missed most of the low numbered cards, I bought the complete set (probably from Larry Fritsch) and kept it pristine in the original box for years. The only upgrading I ever had to do was for better centering. If the '71 set had looked like the awful '73 design, I probably wouldn't have resumed collecting. And the 70's were a great time to be a collector. No price guides, great finds from newspaper ads and yard sales. And all because the 1971 Topps set was so unique.

[JasonL]

there's enough to like about the 71s but overall, I have to say that I dislike the set because I find the border blemishes way too distracting to the eye. A PSA 9 set would be nice to look at, but otherwise, the general examples out there are just too irritating.