Toughest "regular" issued set from the 1970s??

[begsu1013]

Originally Posted by jb67

That is one beautiful looking Ryan. The eye-appeal rocks it. My one and only 71 OPC card is this Bench. I'm glad a fellow board member convinced me to get it.

thanks jb!

good looking bench and looks worthy of a bump!! lemme know if you ever do and what the result is...

[MattyC]

Yeah, I was gonna say the same thing as Begsu. That Bench would certainly look right at home in an 8.5 and I've seen worse 9s often. But every card JB has looks undergraded!

[David W]

Were there any OPC fronts or pictures that were different than Topps in 71, other than this one?

[brett 75]

The 1971 OPC Hoyt Wilhelm has that trade line on the front of his card as well . Sorry can't post a picture for you . Speaking of 1971 what about the Greatest Moments set ? It doesn't compare to the OPC I'm sure but that's a tough one to come by as well in high grade . Brett

[MattyC]

The 1971 Greatest Moments Set is pretty cool. I was window shopping yesterday and saw that in Heritage's insane imminent auction, they have a complete set for sale. Honestly, that auction might be the most diesel auction I can remember. Just sheer overload browsing it. So many things to read about and want to buy!

[Chicosbailbonds]

Here is a good blog about the 1971 variations - http://ohmyopc.blogspot.com/search/label/1971

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by David W

Were there any OPC fronts or pictures that were different than Topps in 71, other than this one?

Here are a few other 71 OPC with different fronts that come to mind...Staub (#289 is shown, replacing the WS team) is also on card 560 in the OPC set with the same front as it's Topps version. The 77 OPC set has numerous poses that are different from it's Topps counterpart.

[horzverti]

Lots of love here for the 71 OPCs. Count me in for more love for that great set.

Given the thread title, toughest 70s set, and all of the posts about 1971 OPCs; I am really surprised that no one has written about the 1974 OPCs. Although the 74s do not have the tough to find in higher grade factor like the 71s do, I feel that 74s are more scarce. The 74s just seem harder to find. I know that the 74 Topps set doesn't usually make many collectors' top ten lists, but I feel that the OPC version should be more sought after. Similar to the 71s, the 74 OPCs have a bright yellow back that is very attractive. I also like the different layout Hank Aaron special cards in the OPC version. I think it is a great set.

Getting back to 70s OPCs in general, I actually like the rough cuts on the softer OPC card stock. In hand, you can really see and feel the difference vs. regular issue Topps card stock. To me, it reminds me of the softer, whiter stock used in some series of 1959 Topps...and lots of rough cuts. The soft card stock on 70s OPCs cards is my main factor why high grade OPCs should be more valuable. Soft card stock means that the card is more easily damaged. I understand that demand sets the price, but average found condition should be factored in. For example, Begsu's 71 OPC Ryan posted above - that would be a super condition card for a Topps version, but being OPC, that card is outstanding. That OPC Bench which was shared is also ridiculously nice. Any one have a centered #100 OPC Pete Rose to share? Does one exist?

I also like the color of the OPC cards. The white(r) stock really makes the colors on the fronts of the cards pop. Regular issue Topps cards sometimes look hue muted or dull next to the bright OPCs. Love the color.

I am happy to read of 1970s OPC getting some good attention here.

[Harliduck]

It's funny...OPC must be a regional thing when it comes to popularity. Growing up 45 minutes south of the Canada border here north of Seattle, OPC cards in the 70's were fairly common with my school buddies. The difference? We HATED OPC cards. I can't really say why, there wasn't any dislike for anything Canadian, but we routinely threw them away or tried in vain to trade for something else. I remember having a 71 OPC Hank Aaron card when I was around 9 or 10, so 1979 or 80ish, back when owning an Aaron was a BIG deal...and my buddies wouldn't let me count it as actually having an Aaron card because it was OPC.

I still have a little of that in me. When I put together my 68 Topps set a couple years ago, my first lot came with a dozen or so OPCs. I immediately replaced them...the kid inside me said they didn't count...haha...

[cardsfan73]

74 OPC is very very tough! From what I understand a strike by the factory workers lead to a very limited production run that year.
Putting together my OPC Cardinals team sets 1974 has def. been the most difficult. While you do have the condition issues with the 1971 OPC I found them much easier to find than the 74s.

Thanks,
Scott

[jb67]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

It's funny...OPC must be a regional thing when it comes to popularity. Growing up 45 minutes south of the Canada border here north of Seattle, OPC cards in the 70's were fairly common with my school buddies. The difference? We HATED OPC cards. I can't really say why, there wasn't any dislike for anything Canadian, but we routinely threw them away or tried in vain to trade for something else. I remember having a 71 OPC Hank Aaron card when I was around 9 or 10, so 1979 or 80ish, back when owning an Aaron was a BIG deal...and my buddies wouldn't let me count it as actually having an Aaron card because it was OPC.

I still have a little of that in me. When I put together my 68 Topps set a couple years ago, my first lot came with a dozen or so OPCs. I immediately replaced them...the kid inside me said they didn't count...haha...

That is a great story! Thanks for posting.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by Harliduck

It's funny...OPC must be a regional thing when it comes to popularity. Growing up 45 minutes south of the Canada border here north of Seattle, OPC cards in the 70's were fairly common with my school buddies. The difference? We HATED OPC cards. I can't really say why, there wasn't any dislike for anything Canadian, but we routinely threw them away or tried in vain to trade for something else. I remember having a 71 OPC Hank Aaron card when I was around 9 or 10, so 1979 or 80ish, back when owning an Aaron was a BIG deal...and my buddies wouldn't let me count it as actually having an Aaron card because it was OPC.

I still have a little of that in me. When I put together my 68 Topps set a couple years ago, my first lot came with a dozen or so OPCs. I immediately replaced them...the kid inside me said they didn't count...haha...

There was always a little bleed through along the Northern border with Topps cards but I never realized it also went the other way. On Long Island, no OPC back then, that's for sure.

[jb67]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yeah, I was gonna say the same thing as Begsu. That Bench would certainly look right at home in an 8.5 and I've seen worse 9s often. But every card JB has looks undergraded!

Thanks for the feedback Matt and begsu1013. I never considered going for a bump with this card but I might just give it a shot based on the input from the both of you. The 71 Topps set is one of my all-time favorite sets.