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Toughest Topps sets from the 70s

bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭
edited December 29, 2017 10:38AM in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

Based on my experience, here is my list from assembling them

1-Topps 1971 Rookie Artist Proofs ( have none)
2-Topps 1970 Cloth ( have only one)
3-Topps 1972 Candy Lids (my set is only proof cards)
4-Topps 1973 Comics
5-Topps 1973 Pin Ups
6--Topps 1971 Greatest Moments
7 Topps 1974 Deckle ( harder in white back)
8-Topps 1974 Puzzles
9- Topps 1970 Candy Lids
10-Topps 1972 Cloth Stickers
11-Topps 1973 Candy Lids
12-Topps 1974 Emblems ( harder in cardboard than cloth ?)
13-Topps 1973 Reprints ( 1953)
14 Topps 1978 Zest Soap ( not really tough but included because it is Bob's favorite)

Alternative suggestions or rankings welcome

Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

Al
«1

Comments

  • secretstashsecretstash Posts: 1,393 ✭✭✭✭
    edited December 29, 2017 11:25AM

    You have to include the major topps sports sets for this decade potentially this go around.. regular 71 topps Baseball is by far the toughest, but football is pretty tricky too with 71s.

    If you are only counting series that are impossible to finish then nevermind, but finish in PSA 10, 71 topps would lead the pack. :)

  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭

    I was focussing on baseball since it is what I collect. I have finished all but the top 2 on my list and agree they may be impossible as a set, but have finished the others ( admittedly only in early proof form for #3 ) and they are doable, but some are very tough. Agree that if you are finishing sets in 9s and 10s then base sets certainly come into play. Since I collected all my sets upgraded that did not come into play for me in my list.

    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • miwlvrnmiwlvrn Posts: 4,222 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm not sure it qualifies under the intent of the OP, but my vote for the toughest Topps-related '70's set is 1971 Topps Bazooka Hockey.

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 29, 2017 11:08PM

    Happy New Year Al!

    For me, the 79T set due to centering is a chore.

    edit: when I saw Shane's remarks I wanted to be more clear. I got what Al was talking about - those sets are not in my world since I'm not a big card collector.

    I'm in awe of what Al has been collecting all these years.

    Mike
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think Al's intent is to list cards that are hard to find in ANY condition....not just condition sensitive sets such as 1971 Topps.

    I will second the notion that the 1973 Topps Comics are hard to find. I have been looking for a Joe Torre for flippin' ever! It's the only Cardinals card that I need from that list.

    Shane

  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭
    edited December 30, 2017 6:20AM

    @frankhardy said:
    I think Al's intent is to list cards that are hard to find in ANY condition....not just condition sensitive sets such as 1971 Topps.

    That.

    Here's the complete Topps supplementary sets list (with inserts and proofs stuck in there) to choose from. I think Al's list is spot on (not sure that the Zest set doesn't belong number one :p ) and the entries in bold are already on his list:

    1970 Topps Candy Lids
    1970 Topps Cloth Stickers
    1970 Topps Posters
    1970 Topps Scratch-Offs
    1970 Topps Story Booklets
    1970 Topps Super
    1971 Topps All-Star Rookie Artist Proofs
    1971 Topps Coins
    1971 Topps Scratch-Offs
    1971 Topps Greatest Moments
    1971 Topps Super
    1971 Topps Tattoos
    1972 Topps Candy Lids
    1972 Topps Cloth Stickers
    1972 Topps Posters
    1973 Topps Candy Lids
    1973 Topps Comics
    1973 Topps Pin-Ups
    1973 Topps Team Checklists
    1973 Topps 1953 Reprints
    1974 Topps Traded
    1974 Topps Action Emblem Cloth/Cardboard Stickers
    1974 Topps Deckle Edge
    1974 Topps Puzzles
    1974 Topps Stamps
    1974 Topps Stamp Albums
    1974 Topps Team Checklists
    1975 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1976 Topps Traded
    1976 Topps Cloth Sticker Prototypes (Dyer/Apodaca)
    1976 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1976 Topps Joe Garagiola
    1977 Topps Proofs
    1977 Topps Cloth Stickers
    1977 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1977 Topps/Dynamite Magazine Panels
    1978 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1978 Topps/Dynamite Magazine Panels
    1978 Topps/Zest Soap
    1979 Topps Comics
    1979 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1979 Topps/Dynamite Magazine Panels

  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I know it doesn't fit the list but I figure this is a good opportunity to ask. Wasn't there a year when Topps made a factory set? I want to say 1974? How difficult is that? And does anyone have a picture of what one looks like?

    Arthur

  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,680 ✭✭✭✭✭

    In 1974 a Topps Factory baseball set was sold through JC Penny. It doesn't seem to be terribly rare, at least the box I have seen repeatedly over the years. Not sure about the actual original factory set still in the box.

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 30, 2017 11:43AM

    Hiya Arthur - Happy New Year buddy

    Of interest?

    They didn't produce another factory set till 1982:

    I'd be interested to know how the set was sealed. I'm sure those for sale have been picked over?

    Mike
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I was mistaken when I said I had all Cardinals on Al's list except the Comics Torre. I also do not have any 1970 Topps Cloth.

    Shane

  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks Mike, happy New Year to you as well. Is that a picture of the '82 in your post?

    Arthur

  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭
    edited December 31, 2017 8:53AM

    @frankhardy said:
    I was mistaken when I said I had all Cardinals on Al's list except the Comics Torre. I also do not have any 1970 Topps Cloth.

    Two Cardinals are in the 1970 Topps Cloth "set" (Rich Nye and Vic Davalillo). Here's the complete checklist of possible cards created from examining an uncut partial sheet that was most likely used to create the cards. Cards with an asterisk are cards that are listed in the SCD Standard Catalog.

    Bottom Row:
    Steve Hargan (half card) - Indians
    *Jose Laboy - Expos
    *Ivan Murrell - Padres
    *Chuck Hartenstein - Pirates
    *Curt Motton - Orioles
    *Denny Lemaster - Astros
    *AL Playoff Game 2 (Boog Powell) - Orioles
    Willie McCovey - Giants
    *Lowell Palmer (half card) - Phillies

    2nd to Bottom Row:
    Yankees Rookie Stars (Thurman Munson rookie) - Yankees
    *Phil Niekro - Braves
    *Ron Perranoski - Twins
    *Rich Nye - Cardinals
    Syd O'Brien - Red Sox
    *Juan Marichal - Giants
    *NL Playoff Game 3 (Nolan Ryan) - Mets
    *Tom Hall - Twins
    Ted Williams (half card) - Senators

    2nd to Top Row:
    Dick Hall (half card) - Orioles
    *Jerry McNertney - Pilots
    *NL Playoff Game 1 (Tom Seaver) - Mets
    *Dennis Higgins - Indians
    *Gary Gentry - Mets
    *Jim Northrup - Tigers
    *Bill Burbach - Yankees
    *Al Santorini - Padres
    Clete Boyer (half card) - Braves

    Top Row:
    *Ray Culp (half card) - Red Sox
    Tommie Reynolds - A's
    Fred Gladding - Astros
    Duane Josephson - White Sox
    Padres Rookies - Padres
    Danny Murphy - White Sox
    Mike Wegener - Expos
    Vic Davalillo - Cardinals
    *Walter Alston (half card) - Dodgers

    For team set collectors, here's the breakdown:
    3 cards - Mets, Orioles, Padres
    2 cards - Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Expos, Giants, Indians, Red Sox, Twins, White Sox, Yankees
    1 card - A's, Dodgers, Phillies, Pilots, Pirates, Senators, Tigers

    The Angels, Cubs, Reds, and Royals were not represented at all.

    Edited because I misspelled "Rich Nye" as "Chuck Hartenstein". Just a typo. Nothing to see here. :blush:

  • @bobsbbcards said:

    @frankhardy said:
    I think Al's intent is to list cards that are hard to find in ANY condition....not just condition sensitive sets such as 1971 Topps.

    That.

    Here's the complete Topps supplementary sets list (with inserts and proofs stuck in there) to choose from. I think Al's list is spot on (not sure that the Zest set doesn't belong number one :p ) and the entries in bold are already on his list:

    1970 Topps Candy Lids
    1970 Topps Cloth Stickers
    1970 Topps Posters
    1970 Topps Scratch-Offs
    1970 Topps Story Booklets
    1970 Topps Super
    1971 Topps All-Star Rookie Artist Proofs
    1971 Topps Coins
    1971 Topps Scratch-Offs
    1971 Topps Greatest Moments
    1971 Topps Super
    1971 Topps Tattoos
    1972 Topps Candy Lids
    1972 Topps Cloth Stickers
    1972 Topps Posters
    1973 Topps Candy Lids
    1973 Topps Comics
    1973 Topps Pin-Ups
    1973 Topps Team Checklists
    1973 Topps 1953 Reprints
    1974 Topps Traded
    1974 Topps Action Emblem Cloth/Cardboard Stickers
    1974 Topps Deckle Edge
    1974 Topps Puzzles
    1974 Topps Stamps
    1974 Topps Stamp Albums
    1974 Topps Team Checklists
    1975 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1976 Topps Traded
    1976 Topps Cloth Sticker Prototypes (Dyer/Apodaca)
    1976 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1976 Topps Joe Garagiola
    1977 Topps Proofs
    1977 Topps Cloth Stickers
    1977 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1977 Topps/Dynamite Magazine Panels
    1978 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1978 Topps/Dynamite Magazine Panels
    1978 Topps/Zest Soap
    1979 Topps Comics
    1979 Topps Team Checklist Sheet
    1979 Topps/Dynamite Magazine Panels

    I would imagine that 1972 Topps Venezuelan Stamps should be on this list as both a Topps release in the 1970's as well as one of the toughest Topps releases to complete as a set in any condition. The same could be said for the Topps Venezuelan Stickers issued in various years from 1970 to 1976.

  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bobsbbcards said:

    @frankhardy said:
    I was mistaken when I said I had all Cardinals on Al's list except the Comics Torre. I also do not have any 1970 Topps Cloth.

    Two Cardinals are in the 1970 Topps Cloth "set" (Chuck Hartenstein and Vic Davalillo). Here's the complete checklist of possible cards created from examining an uncut partial sheet that was most likely used to create the cards. Cards with an asterisk are cards that are listed in the SCD Standard Catalog.

    Bottom Row:
    Steve Hargan (half card) - Indians
    *Jose Laboy - Expos
    *Ivan Murrell - Padres
    *Chuck Hartenstein - Pirates
    *Curt Motton - Orioles
    *Denny Lemaster - Astros
    *AL Playoff Game 2 (Boog Powell) - Orioles
    Willie McCovey - Giants
    *Lowell Palmer (half card) - Phillies

    2nd to Bottom Row:
    Yankees Rookie Stars (Thurman Munson rookie) - Yankees
    *Phil Niekro - Braves
    *Ron Perranoski - Twins
    *Rich Nye - Cardinals
    Syd O'Brien - Red Sox
    *Juan Marichal - Giants
    *NL Playoff Game 3 (Nolan Ryan) - Mets
    *Tom Hall - Twins
    Ted Williams (half card) - Senators

    2nd to Top Row:
    Dick Hall (half card) - Orioles
    *Jerry McNertney - Pilots
    *NL Playoff Game 1 (Tom Seaver) - Mets
    *Dennis Higgins - Indians
    *Gary Gentry - Mets
    *Jim Northrup - Tigers
    *Bill Burbach - Yankees
    *Al Santorini - Padres
    Clete Boyer (half card) - Braves

    Top Row:
    *Ray Culp (half card) - Red Sox
    Tommie Reynolds - A's
    Fred Gladding - Astros
    Duane Josephson - White Sox
    Padres Rookies - Padres
    Danny Murphy - White Sox
    Mike Wegener - Expos
    Vic Davalillo - Cardinals
    *Walter Alston (half card) - Dodgers

    For team set collectors, here's the breakdown:
    3 cards - Mets, Orioles, Padres
    2 cards - Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Expos, Giants, Indians, Red Sox, Twins, White Sox, Yankees
    1 card - A's, Dodgers, Phillies, Pilots, Pirates, Senators, Tigers

    The Angels, Cubs, Reds, and Royals were not represented at all.

    Bob,

    You said Chuck Hartenstein.... I don't think he played for the Cardinals. As you stated in your actual list, I think the Cardinals are Rich Nye and Victor Davalillo.

    Thanks for the team breakdown. Of course..... it would have been nice if there were no Cardinals like those other few teams that were not represented.

    Shane

  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I bet the Seaver, Ryan, Munson, and McCovey would break the bank if they became available.

    Shane

  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭

    @frankhardy said:

    You said Chuck Hartenstein.... I don't think he played for the Cardinals. As you stated in your actual list, I think the Cardinals are Rich Nye and Victor Davalillo.

    Oops. I corrected it just now. Sorry about that. :*

  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭

    Shane--As a Reds fan Bob tries to avoid Cardinals as much as he can

    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bishop said:
    Shane--As a Reds fan Bob tries to avoid Cardinals as much as he can

    Haha! That made me laugh!

    Shane

  • DavidPuddyDavidPuddy Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭

    For Bob

    "The Sipe market is ridiculous right now"
    CDsNuts, 1/9/15
  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,680 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What do the backs of the Zest cards look like? Normal except for numbering?

  • DavidPuddyDavidPuddy Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭

    All the Spanish I know comes from the backs :)


    "The Sipe market is ridiculous right now"
    CDsNuts, 1/9/15
  • PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 4,680 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Cool, I didn't realize it was a Latin release, though the players should probably have been a hint :)

  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭

    Ooooooo......those should probably be in the "Holy Grail" thread. ;)

  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭
    edited January 2, 2018 7:08AM

    David---thanks for the scans.

    Bob-- does a master set include a bar of the soap ? Will PSA grade the soap ? What would make a bar of the soap mint ? How important are corners and centering ?

    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • DavidPuddyDavidPuddy Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭

    @lawyer05 said:
    is there a Carew ?

    No, those 5 cards make up the entire set.

    The sets that I've opened have had some really nice cards. Centering is usually in the 7 or better range with similar corners. The edges often seem to have small dings that hold back the grades. 3 of my 9's came from the same pack if I remember correctly. Some of mine came a little long, thus the baggie holders.

    "The Sipe market is ridiculous right now"
    CDsNuts, 1/9/15
  • BillyKingsleyBillyKingsley Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭

    Since you guys covered baseball, I'll give you the NBA/ABA sets. I primarily collect NBA and have most of the 70s sets.

    Hardest to locate to easiest:
    1972-73. For some reason these just never showed up as much.
    1973-74. Somewhat easier than the year before.
    1974-75. About equal to the year before, although condition wise slightly tougher due to dark borders on the back.
    1976-77. The postcard size means they generally are not found with other sets.
    1979-80. For some reason these were slightly scarcer than the other late 70s sets.
    1970-71. Not overly hard to locate but the most condition sensitive. Being"tall boy" cards they are usually found in less than perfect shape.
    1978-79. Pretty easy to find.
    1975-76. The largest Topps set of the 70s, they are pretty common to come across.
    1971-72. The first standard sized Topps NBA set since 1957-58, they are actually pretty common.
    1977-78. The most common 70s set. Available in brown or white back, neither is particularly hard to find.

    For the inserts, there aren't many to choose from.
    1970-71 Rulers are the rarist.
    1978-79 game piece is rare to find at all and rarer still unscratched. Many of these probably didn't survive, and last I knew Beckett does not recognize it's existence.
    1971-72 trio stickers are the first standard size NBA insert. They are the most common insert of the 70s but are rarer than any of the base sets.

    If there are any other inserts of the 70s I am unaware of them. As far as I know the next insert was in 1980-81. I can provide scans of any of the above as I've completed 7 of the 10 base sets, except the rulers which I have not hunted down an example of yet.

    Billy Kingsley ANA R-3146356 Cardboard History // Numismatic History
  • BillyKingsleyBillyKingsley Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭

    By the way, that comes from years of hunting them at shows and in the wild. Now with sites like eBay and COMC it might be different, but, since I completed 70% of the sets before I had an account on either site, I have not checked.

    Billy Kingsley ANA R-3146356 Cardboard History // Numismatic History
  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭
    edited January 3, 2018 7:54AM

    Billy-- if you put most of your sets Together pre eBay and COMC you must be old....like me

    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • BillyKingsleyBillyKingsley Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭

    I'm 34

    Billy Kingsley ANA R-3146356 Cardboard History // Numismatic History
  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭

    @BillyKingsley said:
    I'm 34

    Well, at least Al is a multiple of that number. That's almost the same. :o

  • waxman2745waxman2745 Posts: 717 ✭✭✭

    This is stretching the decade of the 70s to include 1980 (but still pre-Donruss and Fleer), but how about the 1980 Topps Pepsi All Stars.

    Adam
    buying O-Pee-Chee (OPC) baseball
  • jmoran19jmoran19 Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭
    edited January 4, 2018 6:29PM

    @BillyKingsley said:
    Since you guys covered baseball, I'll give you the NBA/ABA sets.

    For the inserts, there aren't many to choose from.
    1970-71 Rulers are the rarist.
    1978-79 game piece is rare to find at all and rarer still unscratched. Many of these probably didn't survive, and last I knew Beckett does not recognize it's existence.
    1971-72 trio stickers are the first standard size NBA insert. They are the most common insert of the 70s but are rarer than any of the base sets.

    If there are any other inserts of the 70s I am unaware of them. As far as I know the next insert was in 1980-81. I can provide scans of any of the above as I've completed 7 of the 10 base sets, except the rulers which I have not hunted down an example of yet.

    Never heard of a 78/79 insert. The rulers are from 69/70 then there were these insert sets

    70/71 posters
    73/74 team stickers
    74/75 scratch offs (red borders around black boxes)

    Current obsession, all things Topps 1969 - 1972

  • BillyKingsleyBillyKingsley Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks Jmoran. I reversed the posters and rulers in my head. Totally forgot the team stickers even though I have more than half of them. DUH, lol. The trouble of going on the forum right before bed. That sounds like the scratchoff I have. I can't seem to find my scan of it, looks like it might be one that I lost when my remote hard drive died in 2016. Do you have a scan? I'll keep looking for mine, It had a mostly orange themed back.

    Billy Kingsley ANA R-3146356 Cardboard History // Numismatic History
  • ExodusExodus Posts: 348 ✭✭✭

    1971 Topps Bazooka Hockey

  • miwlvrnmiwlvrn Posts: 4,222 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Exodus said:
    1971 Topps Bazooka Hockey

    Cool to see someone voted to agree with me on that one! :)

  • DarinDarin Posts: 6,247 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So Zest soap doesn't quite yield the power of a Pepsi or Coke brand?

    Don't see the name Zest soap anywhere on those cards.

    DISCLAIMER FOR BASEBAL21
    In the course of every human endeavor since the dawn of time the risk of human error has always been a factor. Including but not limited to field goals, 4th down attempts, or multiple paragraph ramblings on a sports forum authored by someone who shall remain anonymous.
  • jmoran19jmoran19 Posts: 1,605 ✭✭✭

    here you go Billy, 1975 football had the same type of insert but in neon green. John

    Current obsession, all things Topps 1969 - 1972

  • BillyKingsleyBillyKingsley Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭

    Yup, that's it! Man, where was my head that day? I mean, I know I posted literally right before going to bed, but I should be better than that! I know I got mine from an unopened pack that I opened, but I have no memory of opening a pack from 74-75. I remember opening the late 70s packs. Guess my memory is playing tricks on me.

    Billy Kingsley ANA R-3146356 Cardboard History // Numismatic History
  • mrmoparmrmopar Posts: 1,030 ✭✭✭✭

    I didn't realize the Zest set was so hard. I guess because I picked up a set (probably for Mota) a long time ago, I have never looked for one again.

    I collect Steve Garvey, Dodgers and signed cards. Collector since 1978.
  • mrmoparmrmopar Posts: 1,030 ✭✭✭✭

    I guess they are not that hard. Fritsch has sets for under $15 on eBay in quantity.

    I collect Steve Garvey, Dodgers and signed cards. Collector since 1978.
  • flatfoot816flatfoot816 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭

    in honor of #4 on the list--my recent Christmas present to myself for my registry set that someday I hope to finish-- 4 HOFers from this very tough set acquired from the recent Heritage auction. 1/2 way there!!




  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭

    Nice pickup!!!! Good luck on completing your set. :smile:

  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭
    edited January 7, 2018 8:14AM

    Those are great Flatfoot

    Does anyone have a Zest card with soap stains ? Are they hard to remove ?

    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
  • ReggieClevelandReggieCleveland Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bishop said:
    Those are great Flatfoot

    Does anyone have a Zest card with soap stains ? Are they hard to remove ?

    You can just rinse them away.

    Arthur

  • PROMETHIUS88PROMETHIUS88 Posts: 2,819 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Stone193 said:
    Hiya Arthur - Happy New Year buddy

    Of interest?

    They didn't produce another factory set till 1982:

    I'd be interested to know how the set was sealed. I'm sure those for sale have been picked over?

    I see these on Ebay from time to time and would have to think they have been picked over as well. But I have always wanted one!!

    Promethius881969@yahoo.com
  • Gemyanks10Gemyanks10 Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭
    edited January 8, 2018 12:58PM

    @PROMETHIUS88 said:

    @Stone193 said:
    Hiya Arthur - Happy New Year buddy

    Of interest?

    They didn't produce another factory set till 1982:

    I'd be interested to know how the set was sealed. I'm sure those for sale have been picked over?

    I see these on Ebay from time to time and would have to think they have been picked over as well. But I have always wanted one!!

    I’ve had a couple over the years, both were cellophaned for what it’s worth. I do not know if they were aftermarket cellophane or not and stated such in my eBay listings when I sold mine. I wish I had kept 1 of them, but at the time, a down payment on a home was more important lol. I’d like to pick one up again just to have one, as they do pop up on eBay fairly frequently. I was told they sold these only around Christmas time at JC Penny departmart stores. In my experience, 1983-1985 factory sealed sets are way more rare. In 1983 and 1984, they were just brown boxes sealed with masking tape. In 1985, they had a couple different versions my favorite being the red white and blue box that was also sealed with masking tape. I have that one stashed away forever.

    Always looking for OPC "tape intact" baseball wax boxes, and 1984 OPC baseball PSA 10's for my set. Please PM or email me if you have any available.
  • countdouglascountdouglas Posts: 2,271 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I recall buying a 1986 Topps factory set from the J. C. Penney Christmas catalog that also arrived in a nondescript dark brown cardboard box sealed with a piece of masking tape. It was the only set that I ever purchased from their catalog, and I've long since parted with it.

  • parkerjparkerj Posts: 1,098 ✭✭✭

    Al, you are missing the 1971 Topps Winners...or do you not count them?

  • bishopbishop Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭
    edited January 11, 2018 2:43PM

    I did not include them because they have never been listed in the SCD Standard Catalog for Topps. They were issued by Topps and have a baseball theme, but picture a bunch of kids who were contest winners whereby each received a certain number of cards with their image on it in baseball outfits ( two were sister, The Boyle gals)

    The set is very hard to assemble, and, in fact, it is not clear a complete checklist yet exists,.. A checklist of I think 15 was recently expanded by several. I think the currently known list can be found on Dave Hornish's blog...Toppsarchives.blogspot.com

    It would be fair to include it and I would put it just above # 4 in my list.

    Bob thought he had it nailed with April Boyle >:) but then someone pointed out there were more than 15

    I only have a couple of them

    Topps Baseball-1948, 1951 to 2017
    Bowman Baseball -1948-1955
    Fleer Baseball-1923, 1959-2007

    Al
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