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1971 Topps Baseball Card Checklist - Vintage Review - |
1971 Topps Baseball Card Checklist
'71 Topps Baseball is known for its distinct black borders that easily got damaged over the years. Finding a complete set in 'NrMt-Mint' condition might be close to impossible - which is not always the case for other sets released in the era. As we will later discuss, centering issues along with the black card-stock make this a very tough set to complete in solid condition. |
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The rather 'lazy' design of just a black border + Team + Name + Position might be due to the fact that according to this blog Topps might have spent more time on other aspects of the card.
"Even as old as the cards looked, and still look nearly 40 years later, Topps had some surprises in 1971 beyond the black borders, which were actually fresh: (1) this the first time Topps put a player’s portrait on the reverse of the card; and (2) this was the first time Topps used action pictures for regular issue cards, as opposed to reserving action photography to World Series, playoff and “special” cards."
Another interesting note that younger collectors might not know is that you could order sets directly from Topps even in the 1970's. Within the comments section of the blog quoted above, here is one collectors recount of buying the sets via mail:
"The '71's were the first set I ordered directly from Topp's. They were $12.50 if memory serves. I ordered complete sets later which came all at once, but the '71's were delivered in series - it took all summer to get them all. I was in Little League at the time and it wasn't unusual for BB cards to be carried in one's back pocket - a definite mistake with this series. If you did ANYTHING to these cards the black border was damaged and they looked terrible. I remember not even wanting to touch mine because they were so perfect. Still have them."
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eBay Seller: WholeLottaLumps - wrote this eBay review on the set - and it is worth checking out if you are interested in completing this set. The seller brings up some interesting points about centering - according to him, its very difficult to find some cards with 50/50 centering. |
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"Anyone who has attempted to put together a nice '71 set knows about #536 Claude Raymond. A Claude Raymond that is centered literally does not exist. Nor does one that is slightly off center. If you are looking for a nice clean set and off centered cards bother you, '71 Topps will drive you to drink."
"Jim Lonborg #577. After Claude Raymond, this is (in my experience) the most difficult card to find centered." Source: WholeLottaLumps
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"A cool variation I discovered is #583 Ron Cook. Most cards show his eyes rolled upward but there are tougher examples of Ron looking directly at you. Same thing with #133 Mickey Lolich. Eyes to the sky and eyes directly at the camera."
Source: WholeLottaLumps
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