A Taste of Topps

[The Nasty Nati]

For the last few years I've strictly collected T206's, but lately I've been getting the itch for collecting more modern cards. So I've been thinking about building a Topps set from a particular year, but it seems too daunting. Instead, I'm considering building a "set" that features just 1 card for every year Topps has made baseball cards (1952 to now).

I want to compose a collection of cards from each year that best embodies the design from that year. I'm not necessarily looking for cards that are of high value or significance, for example a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron, and I'm not sure I want to go too crazy on prices (although it depends), but I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on specific cards from each year that look great or are a must to get.

Note: I still want the players to be stars or minor stars. Grades of PSA 3-6 for vintage and PSA 8-10 for modern.

A couple examples off the top of my head:

1954 Topps Jackie Robinson
1956 Topps Mickey Mantle
1957 Topps Hank Aaron (like the reverse image mistake)
1969 Topps Nolan Ryan
1970 Topps Johnny Bench
1975 Topps George Brett
1978 Topps Eddie Murray
1979 Topps Ozzie Smith (love the chops)
1980 Topps Rickey Henderson (very iconic 80's card)
1983 Topps Tony Gwynn

[LeftHandedDane]

You might want to consider which players you would like to see represented in your "set", then pick the 2-3 cards of each player that you like and see how the years play out. There are certain years where there are a number of iconic cards and others with fewer, and you wouldn't want to end up with a "set" that did not include, for example, at least one Clemente or Aaron or Seaver.

Another consideration is whether you will limit yourself to the main set or include inserts or smaller sets (like 64 Stand-ups or the Supers from the early 70's. Many of these are also very cool and might help you include a wider variety of players.

[1963Topps Set]

For 1960, you should go with Bill Mazorski. This is a very colorful card, not to expensive and that years World Series hero!

[DaClyde]

1971 should be either Munson or Clemente as those are probably the greatest two images in the set.
If you go with Munson for 72, then Clemente is again one of the most interesting cards for the 1972 set.
1976 Topps, gotta go with the traded card of Oscar Gamble. That is THE conversation piece in the set.

[1963Topps Set]

1953 Topps: Satchel Paige
1955 Topps: Willie Mays (1954 MVP and World Series hero)


Can you go with combo cards, or just singles?

[paul]

What about the poor underloved 1951 Topps set? Shouldn't you include one from that set?

I think you definitely need to include the 1953 Jackie Robinson, which I think is Topps' nicest card ever. I know you picked a 1954 of Jackie, but you could replace that with a 1954 Mays, also a fabulous card. If you don't like the 1953 Jackie, then go with the 1953 Satchel Paige, his only Topps card.

Another favorite of mine is the 1977 Carlton Fisk.

[almostdone]

Just my opinion but I would go with 52 Snider horizontal plus the middle of the a Dodgers run and not too crazy expensive. 1953 is a close call between Satchel and Robinson. Card #1 plus Brooklyn bridge in background or Paige's only Topps card. Classic card either way. 1954 I would go with eiter of the Ted Williams cards. I agree Mays would be a good choice for 55. Mantle is perfect for 56 as well as Aaron for 57. I like Kaline for 58. Something about the red background for me. 59 I would go with Frank Robinson. Nice pose, black background and I love the historical point of the name change to "Redlegs". 1960 is easy for me. Musial. Koufax for 61, Maris for 62, 63 I love Clemente. I like Brock in 64, Yaz in 65, Killebrew or Palmer in 66 and on and on.
Great idea for a collection. Keep us posted on choices. It should be an interesting one to follow.

Drew

Ps I agree with the above poster. 51 should be included

[EldoEsq]

My personal favorite card is the 1952 Topps Johnny Mize. Very inexpensive and just a great picture...Johnny looks larger than life with old Yankee Stadium in the backround. And the 1953 Bowman Pee Wee Reese is classic...but Not sure if you want Bowman...

[jason.1969]

Love the idea! From my own modest collection, here are the ones that jump out from the various years.

1952 - Gil Hodges
1955 - Hank Aaron
1957 - Ted Williams, Larry Doby, Gil Hodges
1959 - Frank Robinson
1963 - Sandy Koufax
1964 - Billy Williams
1974 - Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan
1976 - Al Oliver, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose
1978 - Dave Winfield

[Econteachert205]

I'd go with:

53 topps paige
59 topps bob Gibson
61 topps Maris
68 Ryan koosman
73 john Ellis
77 George brett

[K-Nole]

For 1976, I would add the Kurt Bevaqua Bubble card to the list.
For some reason, that card was the hardest card for me to find, when we did that set.

[almostdone]

1976 has got to be Johnny Bench.
Drew

[Gr8Beldini]

Originally Posted by 1963Topps Set

For 1960, you should go with Bill Mazorski. This is a very colorful card, not to expensive and that years World Series hero!

I was going to suggest something like this. Certain years lend themselves to certain players. 1952 Taking money into consideration I'd go with Robin Roberts or maybe Billy Martin; 1953 Satchel if you're spending the money. Otherwise Rosen; 1954 Doby unless you want to spend some money - then absolutely Mays; 1955 Kaline or Podres depending allegiances and on money you want to spend; 1956 Cheapest Jackie Robinson you're going to find. Otherwise Newcombe or Larsen if you're looking to save some money); 1957 must be a Dodger with all of those great Ebbetts Field backdrops. Furillo is cheap and awesome. Otherwise spend the money and buy Duke); 1958 (I think Curt Flood would be cool here); 1959 Fox; 1960 Maz; 1961 Maris Maris Maris; 1962 McCovey; 1963 Musial's last card or maybe Marv Throneberry (iconic and inexpensive card); 1964 (If you were going to spend some money, I'd get this Mantle. Reasonably priced and a significant year for him. Otherwise I'd go with Ken Boyer); 1965 Casey Stengel (gotta have Casey in a Mets uniform this is his last card and also his coolest); 1966 Koufax; 1967 Yaz or Gibson (Lonborg or Tony C if you want to go cheaper); 1968 McLain or Lolich; 1969 Seaver, 1970 Brooks Robinson; 1971 Clemente (or if you're looking to save money, Curt Flood on the Senators is an inexpensive iconic card as is Vida Blue); 1972 Carlton (traded version); 1973 Mays; 1974 Aaron is iconic but ugly. 1975 Pete Rose; 1976 Bench (I originally had Morgan here but edited to agree with previous poster); 1977 only 2 to consider - Fidrych or Reggie; 78 Guidry; 79 Stargell; 80 If you don't already have a Pete Rose, this is a good spot for him; 81 Fernando from the update set; 82 Ozzie from the traded set or Yount; 1983 Daryl from the traded set; 1984 Sandberg; 1985 Brett or McGee; 1986 Clemens; 1987 Mattingly; 1988 Kirk Gibson Traded set;1989 Will Clark; 1990 Rickey Henderson; 1991 Puckett...

[jason.1969]

Originally Posted by almostdone

1976 has got to be Johnny Bench.
Drew

Such an awesome card. Bench looks somewhere between imperial and divine, neither of which was much of a stretch for him when the Big Red Machine was going full tilt.

[jason.1969]

Originally Posted by almostdone

Just my opinion but I would go with 52 Snider horizontal plus the middle of the a Dodgers run and not too crazy expensive. 1953 is a close call between Satchel and Robinson. Card #1 plus Brooklyn bridge in background or Paige's only Topps card. Classic card either way. 1954 I would go with eiter of the Ted Williams cards. I agree Mays would be a good choice for 55. Mantle is perfect for 56 as well as Aaron for 57. I like Kaline for 58. Something about the red background for me. 59 I would go with Frank Robinson. Nice pose, black background and I love the historical point of the name change to "Redlegs". 1960 is easy for me. Musial. Koufax for 61, Maris for 62, 63 I love Clemente. I like Brock in 64, Yaz in 65, Killebrew or Palmer in 66 and on and on.
Great idea for a collection. Keep us posted on choices. It should be an interesting one to follow.

Drew

Ps I agree with the above poster. 51 should be included

My 52 Topps Snider is vertical/portrait...do you mean Hodges?

[judsonhamlin]

For 1974, I'd go with Carlton Fisk. HOF player, action pose and vertical to boot. I agree with Bench for 1976. For '77, I would suggest Reggie Jackson. Not the best card in the set, but his first Yankee card. If not him, one of the NL stars that showcase the Centennial caps with the white piping, like Brock or Hrabosky.

[71buc]

When I primarily collected cards in the 70s and 80s I approached collecting in a similar manner. I collected cards from each season featuring HOFers that I found aesthetically pleasing. Below are the Topps cards I added to my collection because I found them to be most attractive or important from the sets I collected. At the time my choices were pretty constricted by my budget as well

1952 Feller, Slaughter
1953 Paige, Campanella
1954 Aaron, Kaline
1955 Koufax, Clemente
1956 Williams, Robinson
1957 Frank and Brooks Robinson
1958 Mantle, Maris
1959 Gibson, Cepeda
1960 Mantle, Clemente
1961 Marichal, Yazstremski
1962 Managers Dream Mantle and Mays, Lou Brock
1963 Drysdale, Banks
1964 Mays, Rose
1965 Carlton, Aaron
1966 Billy Williams, Palmer
1967 Aaron, Mays
1968 Ryan, Bench
1969 Jackson, Seaver
1970 McCovey, Morgan
1971 Clemente, Stargell
1972 Clemente, Mays
1973 Clemente, Jackson
1974 Aaron, Ryan, Brooks Robinson
1975 Yount, Brett
1976 Bench, Ryan

[SMPEP]

1974 - Always like the bunting Pete Rose

1973 Bench also desreves consideration - but to me 1973 HAS to be Hank Aaron.

1972 - Clemente

1971 - Nolan Ryan

1970 - Hank Aaron again (he looks stoned to me)

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

My 52 Topps Snider is vertical/portrait...do you mean Hodges?

I got three cards mixed up in my head. I love the Snider which is vertical but I thought about hodges behind a horizontal Dodger but the horizontal card actually in my mind was Red Schoendienst.
That's what I get for typing in bed after a long day without making sure I was right. Nice catch. Thanks,
Drew

[jason.1969]

Have seen a couple nominations of 1977 Reggie Jackson. Yes, it's his firsy Yankee card, but it's also his all-time ugliest. To me the best card of Jackson as a Yankee that truly captures the essence of Mr. October is 1978 Topps RB. Take a look. I don't think you can beat it.

[BicycleSpokes]

1973 Pete Rose

[The Nasty Nati]

Hey guys,

A much belated thanks on everyone’s suggestions. I will take all of these into consideration when I start to build the “set.” So many great options.

It seems 1953 Topps Satchel Paige is a must. I keep forgetting that this is his only appearance on a Topps card. Also dually noted I think I may be inclined to pick up a card from 1951 Topps. I always considered that a playing card as opposed to an actual baseball card, but in the scope of the collection it would be nice to include that to show the progression.

I’m not sure what I will do with this collection, but I’d like to probably display them all together in order from 1951 to 2015. To keep them consistent looking I’ll probably avoid some of the horizontal variations as I assume I will be displaying the cards vertically (noted that '55, ’56 & ’60 are all horizontal though).

Another thought I had would be to pick up certain cards that represent certain accomplishments within that year. Like Triple Crown batting or pitching accomplishments (Ex: ’56 Topps Mantle, ’66 Robinson, ’67 Yastrzemski, ’12 Cabrera).

Also appreciate all options for fun, but budget friendly cards in each set. Certain cards in certain sets I’d be willing to splurge on, but it’s the fun cheap cards that are also nice to have and show the evolution, design, and great photography that Topps had to offer over the years.

I’m not sure when I will start this set as I’m currently preoccupied with adding some T206 "wants" and starting a ’33 Goudey collection, but when I start this I’ll be sure to show the progress. Maybe I'll show them in spurts like decade or accomplishments as to not bog down the thread page.

Thanks,
Ben

[jason.1969]

Regarding the horizontal formats, you could always go with this one as your 1960 rep:

Master_1960.jpg

If it's any consolation, my Hank Aaron card display is an example of what I think turned out great even though there are several horizontal cards in it. For me, it was one of those things where I immediately thought, "Ick, I wish all the cards went the same way," but then got over it in just a few secs.

[jason.1969]

If it's any consolation, my Hank Aaron card display is an example of what I think turned out great even though there are several horizontal cards in it.

Here it is.

[almostdone]

Planning and spacing are everything in displays. Here is what I did with my Koufax and Clemente displays. Notice both have horizontal and vertical cards included.
Drew

[jason.1969]

Drew, I wonder if you could squeeze in a 1955 also...would really tie it together!

[almostdone]

Clemente

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

Drew, I wonder if you could squeeze in a 1955 also...would really tie it together!

I actually have both of their 55 rookies in my HOF collection.

[jason.1969]

OMG!!! Insane collection!

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

OMG!!! Insane collection!

Looks whose talking. Nice Aaron's Jason. Very well done.
Drew

[mrmopar]

No disrespect meant here, but doesn't that graded card just scream out of place for you?

Originally Posted by almostdone

Planning and spacing are everything in displays.
Here is what I did with my Koufax and Clemente displays. Notice both have horizontal and vertical cards included.
Drew

[frankhardy]

Why not go with an MVP theme or a Cy Young Award theme. You could get the MVP from each league from every year Topps made a card.... Sort of like the 1982 Kmart set. The most expensive would be the 1956 Mantle. I think it would be very doable and wouldn't break the bank. The only problems would be a 1962 Topps Maury Wills and a 2004 Topps Barry Bonds. There was no Maury Wills card. The Barry Bonds card came out later... Maybe in the Traded set. I think I have it somewhere. Anyway, just a thought.

[jason.1969]

Originally Posted by frankhardy

Why not go with an MVP theme or a Cy Young Award theme. You could get the MVP from each league from every year Topps made a card.... Sort of like the 1982 Kmart set. The most expensive would be the 1956 Mantle. I think it would be very doable and wouldn't break the bank. The only problems would be a 1962 Topps Maury Wills and a 2004 Topps Barry Bonds. There was no Maury Wills card. The Barry Bonds card came out later... Maybe in the Traded set. I think I have it somewhere. Anyway, just a thought.

I like to go with "year after" cards since the backs will often refer to the achievements. If you did that, you could sneak in the 1963 Fleer Maury Wills.

[brian1961]

Pay attention to EldoEsq. The 1952 Topps card of Johnny Mize is perfect in every way. I fell in love with that card a little over 40 years ago, when I saw it, and bought it, for the first time. For what it's worth, Big John was a monster in that fall's knockdown drag-out fight of a World Series against the Dodgers. ---Brian Powell

[The Nasty Nati]

Wow love the display! Is that a pennzoni display? I have their 30 card display for my T206's and I love the way it looks.

Originally Posted by jason.1969

Here it is.

[jason.1969]

Originally Posted by The Nasty Nati

Wow love the display! Is that a pennzoni display? I have their 30 card display for my T206's and I love the way it looks.

Yes, it is Pennzoni. I was very, very happy with the way it came out. Really worked out perfectly for Aaron in that 50 is right about the number of Topps cards he had during his career, excluding Leaders.

At close glance, you might notice I put in two others - a 1961 Nu-Card and a 1964 Topps card of brother Tommie. Should I ever end up with his 1955 Bowman, I'll swap out one of them. And there's also a possibility that I add his 1975 Aaron/Mantle MVP card. Never done, right?!

[The Nasty Nati]

I'm lovin' everyone's displays. Agreed, horizontals with verticals cards still present well.

[almostdone]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

No disrespect meant here, but doesn't that graded card just scream out of place for you?

No disrespect taken. I've actually gotten asked that before.

I usually free all graded cards and have almost none in my personal collection but I am a very sentimental collector. The 59 Koufax was given to me by my wife when she and I were dating. She knew nothing of cards or players but her mother grew up a Brooklyn Dodger fan and knew the name Koufax. She researched it and decided that it would be safer to buy a graded card so she wouldn't get taken.

After she gave it to me and told of all the work and research she did to get the perfect card for me there was no way I could ever bust it out of it's graded case.
I know it looks a bit odd and out of place but when I look at the display it pops out to me and reminds me of her.

Btw, the picture in my avatar is all cards that she has given me over the years. I'm blessed to have her... Oh yeah, she gave me a Koufax autographed baseball for this past Chistmas as well. She is truly amazing.

Drew

[jason.1969]

P.S. 1978 has a great Jim Rice card. MVP year too!