[JTysver]

Iconic and great cards are two different categories.

The most iconic (hobby hype) are...

1975 Topps George Brett
1973 Topps Mike Schmidt
1978 Topps Eddie Murray
1972 Topps Carlton Fisk
1974 Topps Hank Aaron
1975 Topps Robin Yount
1975 Topps Jim Rice
1975 Topps Gary Carter
1976 Topps Dennis Eckersley
1977 Topps Dale Murphy
1979 Topps Ozzie Smith

The tragedy is that the hobby wasn't too big until the mid 1980s. That has kept the value on some of these cards down. For example, until Beckett started coming out with monthly price guides, the hobby hype focused on Mike Schmidt more than it did Nolan Ryan. In fact, Ryan was not even the ace of his team.
The Brett card and the Schmidt card were more sought after by the early 1980s and the Ryan card became sought after later in the 1980s. In 1982 or 1983 it could be had for about $25. I remember trading it away for a 69 Mantle Game card- straight up book value around 1983.

Had the hobby taken off in 1980 for example, Brett's rookie cards would be higher.

When the glut of cards came along in the late 1980s, that was because there was also a glut of collectors. They are the ones who pushed Ryan's value up.

If I were to choose the best cards from the 1980s (star power, hype- either then or now, and or image), I'd choose. Let's not forget Hank Aaron- who essentially was the biggest name in the mid 1970s after surpassing Ruth, is on here because of his sought after cards in 1974 and 1975.

1973 Topps Bench- awesome action shot
1970 Kelloggs Clemente- really beautiful card
1977 Renata Galasso Joe DiMaggio- common but something different
1977 Burger King Lou Pinella- rare card
1976 Topps Traded Oscar Gamble
1973 Topps Aaron/Mays/Ruth
1973 Topps Aaron
1974 Topps Hank Aaron and Aaron record breakers
1975 Topps Hank Aaron
1975 Hostess Hank Aaron
1978 Topps Pete Rose- big hit streak
1975 Kelloggs Jim Hunter (A's or Yankees)- error card