Memorable/iconic cards by year - New additions

gtgrad99

After focusing on amassing cards for a while, I have decided to re-focus on building a display containing one card per year per major release that has the best eye appeal/iconic value for each year between 1948 and 1987. So far, I have a few of the items that I want to include (see below), but wanted to see what the rest of the board thought would be the best representatives for each set.




I'm not looking to break the bank on any of these, but am looking for eye appeal by year.

Thanks,
Neal

Sean1125

Hi Neal, I think the williams looks pretty nice, the only problems look like the two stains and a bit OC left/right and top/bottom?
Munson also looks nice, I'm not sure how sgc works, but will they "authentic" cards that are altered in some way but still find the card to be real?

Other than that, they are extremely nice cards and good luck in your purchase.

Stone193

Hi Neal

I wish you the best on your new focus.

What card you choose will definitely be a personal thing - everyone will have a favorite for each set - for different reasons.

Like in the 59T set - my favorite card is the Corsair Trio; in the 58T set, it's the Aaron.

SOM

I'll get the easiest one out of the way for you, Neal:

1952 Topps Mantle

Mdube16

I think this is a great idea for a collection.

Some examples off the top of my head would be the 53 Bowman color Pee Wee Reese, 53 topps Paige and 1957 Ted Kluszewski

Griffins

'54 Aaron, '55 Koufax '56 Mantle

gecko109

<< <i>I'll get the easiest one out of the way for you, Neal:

1952 Topps Mantle >>





Followed very closely by the 1989 UD Griffey. In fact, I cant think of any other "iconic by year" cards that even come close to the 52 Mantle and the Griffey. '63 Rose maybe? '75 Brett? '68 Ryan? '82 Ripkin?



Edited to add: Didnt notice the 1987 cut-off date. Too bad, the '89 UD Griffey is as "iconic" as it gets!

MantleMarisFordBerra

If I understand your goal correctly you're focusing on what happened in baseball that year, rather than what is the iconic card for that set. In other words, even tough Hank Aaron's card is the most "baseball card centric" for 1954, you'd prefer maybe Willie Mays, who made that sick catch in the series. Right? If so, I'd suggest:

56 - Mantle (Triple Crown year)
57 - Williams (amazing battling title win for a 39 year old man)
58 - Ernie Banks (first of 2 consecutive MVPs)
59 - Maybe Nellie Fox (MVP, lead team to series) or maybe Harvey Haddix (pitched a 12 inning prefect game, still lost)
60 - Mazeroski
61 - Maris
62 - Mantle again (last MVP year, last World Series championship)
63- Musial (last year) of Koufax (Cy Young & W.S. championship)
64 - Maybe the Phillies team card (epic collapse during final part of season)
65- Maybe a Houston Astors card? (Astrodomoe opened that year)
66- Frank Robinson (won triple crown & lead Balt. to W.S. championship)
67 - Yaz (Triple Crown)
68 - McClain or Lolich
69 - Something from the Seatlle Pilots or maybe Mantle last card? Dunno...
70 - Pete Rose (Famous All Star game collision at Home Plate)
71- Clemente (GREAT World Series)
72- Steve Carlton's traded card, what a great year he had
73- Clemente again (tragic death)
74 - Hank Aaron all the way
75- Any of the Big Red Machine
76 - Big Red Machine cards again, or maybe Munson as he won his only MVP that year
77- REGGIE!
78 - Billy Martin mgr card (Bronx Zoo World Champs)
79 - Munson died that year, also maybe Willie Stargell (We are family)

more ideas later, I gotta get back to work :-) Let me know what you think about these...

bobbybakeriv

This is probably not going to be the popular pick, but I would say for 1977, Mark Fidrych's RC is the most iconic.

gtgrad99

All solid suggestions! 57 has to be the "Guns" Kluzewski...probably the Brett RC for 75. For 77 I think I would opt for Fidrych even though Reggie in an O's uni would be nice. I've always liked the way Gibson pitched, so he'd be my 59 candidate. He may be my candidate for 68 also.

Somehow I think the 52 slot may be the last one filled.

Downtown1974

For the 52, I would do the Jackie Robinson. For the Mantle....1956 is a great card to go with.

Mdube16

Good call on the Fydrich for 77. Gibson is a good one for 68...also McLain or the Superstars card (Mantle, Killebrew, Mays). Im not a fan of the Gibson RC..never liked the pink.

The 74 Reggie is a favorite of mine also.

Sethro

Sorry, but Reggie is a Yankee in the 1977 set. There was a proof made of Reggie as an Oriole, but it was never mass produced.

TheHun

This is very much what some card collectors call "type set collecting". One card from every type of collection. In most cases, a good sample with eye appeal is selected rather than just the most expensive or well know card.

I have tried to collect a type of every pre-war soccer card I can. I find as nice of a sample as possible - sometimes upgrading later as some are from rare sets.

This is preferable to trying to complete sets that are nearly impossible or very cost prohibitive. The upside of this kind of collecting is passing on the cards that are replaced from upgrades - and getting them to newer collectors. It sounds like an enjoyable focus ...

best of luck !

slantycouch

Cool collection idea. Good luck!

Stadium1978

Some of my opinions (my pick for 1974 is gold):

1962 Topps - Manager's Dream (Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays)
1964 Topps - A.L. Bombers (Maris, Cash, Mantle and Kaline)
1974 Topps - #1 Hank Aaron (it's the only Topps card I know of that predicts the future).

zendude

A few of my favorites:

1955 Topps Ted Williams (just a beautiful card)
1958 Topps Willie Mays (love the big smile)
1965 Topps Richie Allen (looking young and well behaved)
1971 Topps Reggie Jackson (love the canary yellow uniform)

gtgrad99

A few additions from a local show today...

Never heard of the guy, but it's pretty cool that he's hitting with his fielding glove in his back pocket.



1.12...nuff said.



Most underrated RC in the 70's.



The sticker is in much better shape than I have ever seen the regular issue in.

MithrilMan

Hard to argue with the '73 Clemente. Also, I always liked the Munson card from that year.

MithrilMan

Here's an iconic 1982: