Wost Post-War Topps Sets? (52-79)

[mintacular]

After reading the "best" Topps sets from this time era, I am curious to what you guys thought about the "worst" ones, I guess mostly based on design/eye appeal and not necessarily key rookies, value, other factors.

50s: 53 (cartoonish), 54 (no top border), 56 (cheap knock-off of '55)
60s: 61, 64, 66, 68, 69 (boooring)
70s: 70, 72, 74, 78-9. (too vanilla)

JMO

[HRBAKER]

IMHO it's hard to get worse than 1973 but 1971 and 1975 come very close. In general the decade of the 70's is fairly forgettable. Maybe it's tough to make the double knits look very good.

[paul]

I think Topps' poorest effort was 1990, but that falls outside your time window. Through 1979, I'd say the worst was either 1972 or 1973, and agree that the whole decade was pretty bad. Though I do kind of like the 78s. I think 1958 was also pretty weak. I'm surprised to see the 56s on a list of worst. I think they're the best.

[Doug]

If I was going to break it down by decade I'd say:

1950s: 1954, 1958, 1959
1960s: 1960, 1962, 1965, 1968
1970s: 1970, 1971, and 1975

I think the ones from the '70s are the worst. I'm not a fan of colored borders at all.

[Griffins]

Worst, in order

'50's '59, '58, '57
'60's '61, '69
'70's '73

'57, '61, '69, and '73 are all due to poor image quality, a large majority of the images from those years being muddy

Best?
'50's '55, '56, '53, '52
'60's '67 (best Topps set period), '65, '66
'70's '71 (granted, a sentimenal favorite)

[JasonL]

I am drawn to the simplistic and clean designs, so I will respectfully disagree with those who dislike the 1978, 1964, 1967, 1957 and 1961... in fact, I would consider myself to be one very fortunate guy if I were ever to own nice clean sets of each of those years!!!

But the worst has to be the 1972, 1968, and 1959 from their respective decades.

[ALR-bishop]

[QUOTE=Griffins;752698]

"57, '61, '69, and '73 are all due to poor image quality, a large majority of the images from those years being muddy"

Anthony

What are you some kind of photographer or something ?

Al

[paulcarek]

I'm going to nominate the 1977 set on the "strength" of its hideously airbrushed Manny Sanguillen card alone. I mean, come on.

[toppcat]

Easy one, all on the 8's, just like the weather on the radio:

'58, 68, 78.......

I'm also not big on '64 and 74. 76 is a little weak too.

[Rich Klein]

And I can't stand the 58 or 59 Topps set; but they looked so much better when Topps did them again as "Heritage" sets

[drc]

I'd vote 1974 due to bland design. Though the Washington Nat'ls variations are neat.

[Chris D.]

For me, hands down it's 1972. That 3D/comin at ya team name across the top is just plain cheesy.