Rarity of Topps 1960's-1970's test issues
 

Anyone feel like ranking these in terms of rarity? Anyway you want to do it is fine, 1-10 scale, listing from rarest to least rare, etc.

1964 Stand-ups
1964 Photo Tatoo
1967 Discs
1968 Action Stickers
1968 Discs
1968 3D
1968 Plaks
1969 Supers
1969 4 on 1 Mini Stickers
1970 Candy Lids
1970 Cloth
1971 Greatest Moments
1971 Tattoos
1972 Candy Lids
1972 Cloth
1973 Comics
1973 Pin Ups
1974 Deckle
1974 Jigsaw Puzzles
1976 Cloth

Your list
 

I have all these sets done with the exception of the 70 cloth ( have only one) and 68 Discs ( have 9). So of those you list would rate them toughest. But 61 Dice and 71 Rookie Artists Poofs, and 66 ( as opposed to 67) Punch Outs would also be at the top of the list for the 60s and 70s. The 67 Discs are tough as well. The 67 Stand Ups should also be on your list.

There is a recent thread in here discussing Topps rarities

Al,

You've have got some CRAZY stuff!!! Your collection must be amazing.

1964 Stand-ups - easy (3)
1964 Photo Tatoo - moderately hard (5)
1967 Discs - difficult (9)
1968 Action Stickers - Moderately hard (4)
1968 Discs - near impossible (10)
1968 3D - moderately hard (4)
1968 Plaks - after the find - moderately hard (5)
1969 Supers - easy (3)
1969 4 on 1 Mini Stickers - moderately hard (4)
1970 Candy Lids - difficult (8)
1970 Cloth - near impossible (10)
1971 Greatest Moments - moderately hard (4)
1971 Tattoos - easy (1)
1972 Candy Lids - difficult (9)
1972 Cloth - easy (3)
1973 Comics - moderately hard (5)
1973 Pin Ups - moderately hard (5)
1974 Deckle - white or grey backs or both - moderately hard (4)
1974 Jigsaw Puzzles - easy (3)
1976 Cloth - easy (3)

As mentioned there are some very tough sets missing from your list - not sure if that was purposeful or just a lack of knowledge of them?

Thanks, your rankings were exactly what I was looking for. I left off stuff that I knew was either impossible or super easy.

I am 99% certain the 1971 All Star Rookies were one-off's made for the Rookie Banquet/Baseball Achievement Awards luncheon held by Topps (and that they are actually from 1970). The BAA were the successor to the annual Rookie Banquet. Likely they were placed on easels on a slightly elevated platform on a table or display where they sat above a rookie awards trophy for each player.

They are too big to be cards and are "layered". As per Keith Olbermann:

1. The background - the color, the player name, team, position, which seems to be printed on card stock
2. The "star" and trophy - which appear to have been printed separately and feels slightly raised
3. The photo - which is a glossy photo print

He also notes:

Three tilt up "right" and three tilt up "left" - identical angles - and four are dead centered. Sounds deliberate.

Achievement Awards
 

That is an interesting theory, Dave. You think they were developed for potential use at the annual dinner, similar to the 64 boxed set, but then not used ?

I have mentioned to you that I have The Rookie Banquet programs from 59, their first one through 1966. I have one Achievement program from the late 70s, and a run from 1980 to 2004 (missing 83 and 2002). Nothing after 2004 so far.

Any idea when the dinners changed from Banquets to Achievement Awards ?

Hi Al:

I think they could have been used at the banquet, probably were. I think the BAA's began in 1967 but I've never seen a program earlier than about 1982, so who knows? It's interesting you have one from the 70's. They are lesser known than the banquet programs but just about as tough, at least the earlier ones.

Check out this link to the 1963 Banquet. The Rookie All Star placards, in my theory, would rest on the raised area, perhaps slightly more extended, on the table above the trophies.

1970-71
 

If so, do you think there would be only one of each ?

Yes indeed. Also makes me wonder what they did for some other years. :D