Topps Production Line Photo 1974

ICE9 · April 26, 2008 12:05PM

There were a few threads regarding the OPC factory photos that were recently posted on net54. Someone mentioned, with out much notice, that there were a few Topps photos there too. The original poster on net54 indicated that these originate from an old Topps shareholders report. I asked for & he sent a high resolution scan of the production line photo. I've also asked for his permission to repost the high res scan here. Until then, here are the photos as posted on net54:

It looks like they're packing 1974 baseball; cello boxes on the left of the conveyor belt and wax boxes on the right. If you look to the far right there appears to be boxes of '74 product stacked to the ceiling!

I absolutely love this stuff!!! I'm going to search for some old Topps sharholders reports. I believe Topps IPO was in '71 or '72.

Mike

ymarea · April 26, 2008 12:15PM

Ice 9,

Thanks a bunch. Those are some really neat pieces of history. I especially like the picture of the kid in the store. I'm 44 yrs old, but still occassionally dream that I'm a kid again rummaging through boxes and boxes of old packs. That photo brings to mind the dreams and the good feelings that go with 'em. Thanks again.

ICE9 · April 26, 2008 12:23PM

Yup - I'm 42 years old and I remember buying tons of packs in 1974. My brother & I used to walk to school early and buy them from a mom & pop candy store across from our school. These bring back some really wonderful memories.

Mike

Estil · April 26, 2008 12:36PM

<< Yup - I'm 42 years old and I remember buying tons of packs in 1974. My brother & I used to walk to school early and buy them from a mom & pop candy store across from our school. These bring back some really wonderful memories.

Mike >>

How did you like the colorful cards that came the next year?

I would've loved to have been a kid during that time and open those packs of colorful cards. At least I'm only seven cards away (four PSA 7's, three raw) from finishing that set!

bobbybakeriv · April 26, 2008 12:38PM

Those are terrific!

ICE9 · April 26, 2008 12:49PM

<< 

<< Yup - I'm 42 years old and I remember buying tons of packs in 1974. My brother & I used to walk to school early and buy them from a mom & pop candy store across from our school. These bring back some really wonderful memories.

Mike >>

How did you like the colorful cards that came the next year?

I would've loved to have been a kid during that time and open those packs of colorful cards. At least I'm only seven cards away (four PSA 7's, three raw) from finishing that set!

>>

I really liked the '75s, but I killed them (as well as their predessors) with a rubber band. I used to wrap the cards tightly and then put 'em in my back pocket. If the teacher's saw them, they were gone. BTW, congrats on being so close to completion on your set. 1975 is one of my all time favorites.

Mike

Gonblott · April 26, 2008 12:51PM

<< 

<< If the teacher's saw them, they were gone. B
>>

I bet she still has them and there graded by now.

ymarea · April 26, 2008 1:16PM

<< 

<< 

<< If the teacher's saw them, they were gone. B
>>

I bet she still has them and there graded by now. >>

brianwintersfan · April 26, 2008 1:44PM

No wonder the quality control was bad. Do you think those women cared what they were handling!

Great pics!

brianwintersfan · April 26, 2008 1:49PM

nam812 · April 26, 2008 1:50PM

That assembly line picture reminds me of the original Willy Wonka movie where the guy has his female factory workers opening cases and cases of Wonka bars looking for the golden ticket for his daughter.

perkdog · April 26, 2008 1:57PM

<< That assembly line picture reminds me of the original Willy Wonka movie where the guy has his female factory workers opening cases and cases of Wonka bars looking for the golden ticket for his daughter. >>

Spot on as usual Nick!

Really cool photos though! Thank you for sharing.

otwcards · April 26, 2008 2:06PM

RedHeart54 · April 26, 2008 2:12PM

<< That assembly line picture reminds me of the original Willy Wonka movie where the guy has his female factory workers opening cases and cases of Wonka bars looking for the golden ticket for his daughter. >>

I was going to post the exact same thing! The only difference is everyone of those packs may contain a golden ticket. Think of all the mint Winfields, Schmidts, Ryans, Roses, etc etc etc

Carew29 · April 26, 2008 3:00PM

"Workin' 9-5, what a way to make a livin"......

mikelowell25 · April 26, 2008 3:11PM

steve, spot-on with the caption!! i thought the exact same thing regarding that woman--she's obviously watching the clock and counting the minutes til her next cigarette break or til she gets to punch out for the day--i wonder where she is today--maybe she works for gai grading packs??!!

this photo reminds me of the opening of "laverne and shirley" where the gals put the glove on one of the beer bottles along the production line at the shotz brewery.
i take it that this was in duryea, pa since i believe topps closed its brooklyn factory in the late 60's. (does anyone know what year exactly??)

someone should photoshop gary's (80's junkie) face on the fat woman in the front, right underneath her hat--then the photo will remind me of the classic saturday night live sketch with the late, great chris farley playing the lunch lady.

zep33 · April 26, 2008 7:38PM

The lady in the front is Gary's mom

69Cubs · April 26, 2008 11:44PM

Thanks for the pictures, I was in 6th grade at that time buying baseball cards and wacky packages with my newspaper route money!! Great memories!!

Mike

baseballfan · April 27, 2008 11:14PM

its amazing that any cards grade a high 9 or 10 with the those cards they were handled so much.

cool pics

jradke4 · April 27, 2008 11:48PM

from the pics i think we can see why QC wasnt so great then. like those ladies gave a rats you know what. they were waiting for their next smoke break.

BobS · April 28, 2008 3:38AM

Okay - don't tell me I'm the only one that noticed.

Isn't that Flo from the diner, 5th one back on the right? Mel is gonna' be pissed she was moonlighting. Kiss my grits.

jrinck · April 28, 2008 4:34AM

<< Okay - don't tell me I'm the only one that noticed.

Isn't that Flo from the diner, 5th one back on the right? Mel is gonna' be pissed she was moonlighting. Kiss my grits. >>

Vera also used to work there before going to Mel's. Most people think she got her nickname of "Dingy" from just being plain absent minded, but the truth is that she was a rough handler of cards and would often ding the corners.

And now you know.

Stingray · April 28, 2008 4:34AM

<< Yup - I'm 42 years old and I remember buying tons of packs in 1974. My brother & I used to walk to school early and buy them from a mom & pop candy store across from our school. These bring back some really wonderful memories.

Mike >>

Same here, and I remember going to the local Kresge with Mom and getting to buy 10 packs for a buck!! Love the Kung-Fu poster in the background!!

Topps Production Line Photo 1974

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