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A New Area of Collecting for Me: Building a 1969 Topps Football Set

As many of you know, I am an av1id collector of 1970 and early 80's Topps and OPC baseball cards. Plus, no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I am a set builder at heart. While this is my passion, I hit the proverbial "Brick Wall" earlier this fall. I became frustrated with how a couple of my sets were going. I felt like I needed a breath of fresh air, plus a little more focus. After much thought, I decided to dip into football cards. After doing some research, I decided that the 1969 Topps football set was one that I would like to tackle. My plan is to complete this set in NM or better, with all cards being clean and free of staining and major chipping. I want to collect all of the start and RC in PSA form (PSA 7 or better).

For those of you who have not seen this set, it is a beautiful one. The first series cards (#1 - 132) have wonderful color that bleeds out to the edges. They are stunning, but more difficult to achieve in high grade, because corner and edge defects are easily detectable. The second and final series (#133 - 264) features white borders and less bright colors. There is one major variation in the set, and that is the second series checklist card, which comes in either the white border and non-white border form.

So far, I am 106 cards into the set, and having a blast. I would like to thank mojorob for giving me a lot of advice as far as this set. I thought I would share a some first series cards first, both raw and graded.

Look at the nice sharpness and color of these raw specimens:

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I hope to get the Roman Gabriel in PSA 8 form at some point, but this nice raw version will do nicely for now.

I have been able to conquer 2 of the great QB's of the era in PSA 8 form, so without further adieu, I give you Johnny U and Broadway Joe:

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Finally, I will share a couple of the big Rookies of the set. Here is Bryon Piccilo, who was the inspiration of the movie, "Bryon's Song," and also Larry Czonka, who was a key part of the Dolphins' undefeated Super Bowl run:

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Thanks for looking. I am excited to see this set continue evlolve. I will update this thread with some second-series cards plus will share more first series cards as I add them.


Comments

  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭
    Good luck! It's a great set to work on . I love the multiple color scheme of this set and the use of the single red letter at the beginning of each name is cool as well.
  • DanBessetteDanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
    Nice work! Great looking set and I've always been a fan of the Merlin Olsen card. I just picked up a PSA 8 Gino Cappelletti from this set this week and will post a scan to that thread when I get it in hand. Can't wait!
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,954 ✭✭✭✭
    Great-looking, colorful set. Enjoy building it! image
  • slum22slum22 Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭✭
    This set is absolutely beautiful. The colors in the first series pop off the screen. You've got a great start to the set so far. Keep updating your progress with scans as you add to your set in the future.
    Steve
  • JBrulesJBrules Posts: 2,126 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good luck with the set. The Unitas and Namath cards look great. It should be a lot of fun and keep us posted.
  • jay0791jay0791 Posts: 3,547 ✭✭✭✭
    Doing the set also.

    Love the colors and poses of most of the cards.

    Some of the pink backgrounds have a tendency to have small print dots.

    Been looking for a nice psa 8 Bob Griese for quite a while now.

    Good luck
    Collecting PSA... FB,BK,HK,and BB HOF RC sets
    1948-76 Topps FB Sets
    FB & BB HOF Player sets
    1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
  • tsalems1tsalems1 Posts: 3,449 ✭✭✭✭
    GREAT looking set John!
    opcbaseball.com
  • Beck6Beck6 Posts: 1,038 ✭✭✭
    Great set! I have put it together several times and the colors are the best part of them. Sayers and Namath are my favorites. Is the Jim cadile as tough as it used to be? I remember that card being a bear In high grade
    Registry Sets:
    T222's PSA 1 or better
  • DanBessetteDanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
    I agree with everybody that you should keep this thread updated.
  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭
    And I agree with Dan, when he agreed with everyone else, that you should keep the thread updated.

    image
  • vintagefunvintagefun Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭
    Nice pick John. Great colors in that set.

    Looks like you're off to a great start.

    Look forward to your updates.

    Jim
    52-90 All Sports, Mostly Topps, Mostly HOF, and some assorted wax.
  • grote15grote15 Posts: 29,739 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Beautiful cards, John~love the colors and the photos on these!


    Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
  • jmaciujmaciu Posts: 1,289 ✭✭✭
    Thanks a lot guys. It is fun to look at these cards that are blooming with color. I can't wait to add more here. For those of you who collect, which ones have been toughies to track down? Someone mentioned Cadile.
  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That's a heckuva start w/some incredibly sharp cards! I think I'll be tackling that one after I wrap up my 70s run.
  • DboneesqDboneesq Posts: 18,219 ✭✭
    Love that set John. Keep us updated on the additions. Back in 2009 I discovered that I had almost a complete raw set (was missing 5 or 6 cards), but in a much lower grade than you have. I started using those cards to send out my TTMs. Although I did get back quite a few, I am probably now missing many cards. One day soon I will have to go thru the set and start putting it back together. GOOD LUCK with your set. You have an AMAZING beginning!
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
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