Favorite 1970's Football Set

[Jayworld]

The 1975 set was the first set I started collecting as a kid (along with the 1975 baseball), but it was hit-or-miss; get a few packs (25 cents then for 10 cards!) whenever we made it over to the local 7-11. I did not care for the look of the 1976 set, and the 1977 set was the first set that I attempted to build (all from wax). I think I fell about 3-4 cards short. I stopped buying packs when I bought four packs (40 cards) and only got 4 that I needed; the rest were duplicates.

I guess I'm old school, as when I collected cards from packs, I actually checked off the checklist cards to keep track of what I had and did not have. Some purists or those that send cards off to TPG would deem that a travesty. It was part of the hobby and fun to me.

I recently picked up a lot of about 150 or so 1975 football cards on eBay just to "relive" some childhood memories, and sorting through them, I can remember which cards I did have back then. Got the George Blanda and Tom Dempsey Record cards which I had as I kid. Big thrill again.

It always bothered me that the logos on the helmets were airbrushed out back then; some teams looked worse (Chargers, Eagles, Rams) and some not so bad (Patriots, Cowboys, Dolphins). I remember in 1979 or 1980 when Topps quite totally airbrushing out the complete horn on the Rams helmet; that was a big deal back then for the small group of collectors…

[Samsdaddy]

Originally Posted by Jayworld

The 1975 set was the first set I started collecting as a kid (along with the 1975 baseball), but it was hit-or-miss; get a few packs (25 cents then for 10 cards!) whenever we made it over to the local 7-11. I did not care for the look of the 1976 set, and the 1977 set was the first set that I attempted to build (all from wax). I think I fell about 3-4 cards short. I stopped buying packs when I bought four packs (40 cards) and only got 4 that I needed; the rest were duplicates.

I guess I'm old school, as when I collected cards from packs, I actually checked off the checklist cards to keep track of what I had and did not have. Some purists or those that send cards off to TPG would deem that a travesty. It was part of the hobby and fun to me.

I recently picked up a lot of about 150 or so 1975 football cards on eBay just to "relive" some childhood memories, and sorting through them, I can remember which cards I did have back then. Got the George Blanda and Tom Dempsey Record cards which I had as I kid. Big thrill again.

It always bothered me that the logos on the helmets were airbrushed out back then; some teams looked worse (Chargers, Eagles, Rams) and some not so bad (Patriots, Cowboys, Dolphins). I remember in 1979 or 1980 when Topps quite totally airbrushing out the complete horn on the Rams helmet; that was a big deal back then for the small group of collectors…

Like you Jay, 1975 was a hit or miss for me as well. I bought more baseball packs that year than football. 1976 I really cranked up the collecting but for some reason, I do not recall buying one pack of 1977 cards. The design is very sharp and clean I just do not ever remember buying a pack and I lived in an area in the midwest where football cards were prevelant.

[PM770]

Originally Posted by Jayworld

The 1975 set was the first set I started collecting as a kid (along with the 1975 baseball), but it was hit-or-miss; get a few packs (25 cents then for 10 cards!) whenever we made it over to the local 7-11. I did not care for the look of the 1976 set, and the 1977 set was the first set that I attempted to build (all from wax). I think I fell about 3-4 cards short. I stopped buying packs when I bought four packs (40 cards) and only got 4 that I needed; the rest were duplicates.

I guess I'm old school, as when I collected cards from packs, I actually checked off the checklist cards to keep track of what I had and did not have. Some purists or those that send cards off to TPG would deem that a travesty. It was part of the hobby and fun to me.

I recently picked up a lot of about 150 or so 1975 football cards on eBay just to "relive" some childhood memories, and sorting through them, I can remember which cards I did have back then. Got the George Blanda and Tom Dempsey Record cards which I had as I kid. Big thrill again.

It always bothered me that the logos on the helmets were airbrushed out back then; some teams looked worse (Chargers, Eagles, Rams) and some not so bad (Patriots, Cowboys, Dolphins). I remember in 1979 or 1980 when Topps quite totally airbrushing out the complete horn on the Rams helmet; that was a big deal back then for the small group of collectors…

I love stories like this. Thats what its all about. The memories. Thanks for sharing.

[PM770]

I'm surprised about the disdain for the '78s. Actually thats my favorite of the 70s. The main reason is that the first year I collected them. I also love the 77 design. The 72 & 75 designs I really like as well. For some strange reason I can't work up any love for the 71s. I typically like colored borders (like 71 and 75 in baseball), but the 71s just don't do it for me.

[Samsdaddy]

Originally Posted by PM770

I'm surprised about the disdain for the '78s. Actually thats my favorite of the 70s. The main reason is that the first year I collected them. I also love the 77 design. The 72 & 75 designs I really like as well. For some strange reason I can't work up any love for the 71s. I typically like colored borders (like 71 and 75 in baseball), but the 71s just don't do it for me.

I just thought the 1971 set was too cartoonish for my liking.

The 78 set I thought was dull but totally understand a person's affections for the first set of cards they ever collected.

[jefferyepayne]

I started casually collecting football cards in 1972 but by 1973 I was obsessed with putting together the '73 set. My favorite player was Joe Namath and I used to use my allowance to buy 5 packs of cards every Sunday on our way home from church. I gotta confess that during the "moment of silence meditation and prayer" at church, I always prayed that I would pull Joe Willy out of a pack on the way home.

Lo and behold, one Sunday a miracle occurred! Here's the actual card I pulled. As you can tell, it's gotten a lot of love over the years. Diamond cut and all, it didn't matter in '73.



jeff

[Blackie]

I guess my favorite set of the 70's football would have to be the 1971 Topps set. I just like the layout and design of them.

[mojorob]

I always thought these 1970's Football were pretty cool looking, especially back in the day.
Although if I had to pick one set from the 70's, it would probably be the 1971 Topps Football Issue.