Most attractive Topps cards 1952-1979

[Eric72]

What card do you consider the best-looking pre-1980 Topps single? I’m trying to zero in on something different (for me) to pick up at the Philly Show. Leaning towards a 1971 Topps Thurman Munson; however, want to see if something else may strike a chord. Pictures highly encouraged.

[luciobar1980]

Originally Posted by Eric72

What card do you consider the best-looking pre-1980 Topps single? I’m trying to zero in on something different (for me) to pick up at the Philly Show. Leaning towards a 1971 Topps Thurman Munson; however, want to see if something else may strike a chord. Pictures highly encouraged.

Man, that is a tough question. A few that come to mind:

53 Mantle
56 Clemente
64 Rose
73 Clemente

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Eric72

What card do you consider the best-looking pre-1980 Topps single? I’m trying to zero in on something different (for me) to pick up at the Philly Show. Leaning towards a 1971 Topps Thurman Munson; however, want to see if something else may strike a chord. Pictures highly encouraged.

I've always been partial to the '61 Topps hi series All Star cards where they have the player portraits looking like they're popping out of the front page of the Sporting News, especially the Mantle. Not a cheap card, but one of the best Mantles.

[Vintageloz]

One of my favs

[skelly423]

I always liked this card, but it blew me away the first time I saw it in hand.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by skelly423

I always liked this card, but it blew me away the first time I saw it in hand.

So many good options but plus one for me on this.

[quinnsryche]

1957 Topps Mantle

[deweyinthehall]

Not that there's much value here...you could probably get all of these for $5 or less. I always loved the "living the dream" joy on the faces of Rice and Simmons faces in the 1978 set; the gritty determination of Pocoroba; and the almost perfect composition of the '78 Jackson (possibly one of the best looking cards ever). I zeroed in on 1978 because it's my favorite/first set.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by deweyinthehall

Not that there's much value here...you could probably get all of these for $5 or less. I always loved the "living the dream" joy on the faces of Rice and Simmons faces in the 1978 set; the gritty determination of Pocoroba; and the almost perfect composition of the '78 Jackson (possibly one of the best looking cards ever). I zeroed in on 1978 because it's my favorite/first set.

I loved the '78's when I was a kid. Loved opening those packs. Liked them a little bit more then the '77's (which I also liked a lot), and a ton more then the '76's.

Great, clean design. I also remember the '79's coming out and thinking Topps really sh*t the bed on that one, outside of the "All-Time Record Holders" cards. I mean how else was I supposed to get a Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb or Cy Young card without spending more then 2 bucks on it (which I didn't have at the time).

Pretty sure, the Reggie card and this one were the ones I was hoping to pull every time I opened a pack up during the '78 season.

[luciobar1980]

Originally Posted by Vintageloz

One of my favs

He said Topps

[vansaad]

I'm partial to this one.

[luciobar1980]

Originally Posted by vansaad

I'm partial to this one.

This is a great one too. I just think the color of the Yankees logo and mantles uniform work so well together.

[Gorditadogg]

53T Satchell Paige for sure. That one is the Mona Lisa of baseball cards.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[G1911]

The painted 1953 action shots only in the last two series. Cal Hogue stands out for me.

I don't think aesthetic value has anything to do with a favored superstar being on it, not all the best looking, or even most of them, just happen to be the ~30 biggest names.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by G1911

The painted 1953 action shots only in the last two series. Cal Hogue stands out for me...

That is quite an attractive card. Thanks for the suggestion.

[egri]

[IMG] [/IMG]

And some of the 1957 Topps, though I wish the photographer had asked Ted Williams to step into the sunlight.

[egri]

Originally Posted by G1911

The painted 1953 action shots only in the last two series. Cal Hogue stands out for me.

I don't think aesthetic value has anything to do with a favored superstar being on it, not all the best looking, or even most of them, just happen to be the ~30 biggest names.

Originally Posted by Eric72

That is quite an attractive card. Thanks for the suggestion.

[IMG] [/IMG]

[Gr8Beldini]

And some of the 1957 Topps, though I wish the photographer had asked Ted Williams to step into the sunlight.[/QUOTE]

...and the Mantle, Mays, and Aaron cards are all dark and drab as well. I always thought the Duke Snider card from the '57 set was as nice a card as Topps ever produced. Vibrant color. No obstructing card design (i.e. 1959 Topps)... just Ebbetts Field and the Duke. Fairly reasonably priced also.

[Neal]

Two of the greatest Topps cards ever made

[Gr8Beldini]

[Eric72]

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their suggestions/comments. My schedule that weekend has filled up a bit, so I may only be able to stop by the show for an hour or two. At least I can plan ahead and go on a "targeted" mission.

Of course, there's always the BST if I don't make the show. Some of you sell cards there every now and then.

[Exhibitman]

My favorites, aesthetically speaking, for each decade:

1950s:



Perfect combo of elements: classic portrait, full action swing, fun team logo.

1960s:



Gotta go with this one too. Another perfect image of Koufax doing what he did best.

1970s:

Now, this is my childhood collecting decade, so picking the most attractive card of the era is not an easy call for me but this one has always caught my eye:

[MarcosCards]

I agree with several other posters in this thread — that the 1961 Wes Covington (#296) card presents an outstanding image.

Look at all that creamy white lumber in the rack - maybe belonging to Aaron, Matthews, or Adcock. Look at that huge black forearm and bicep as Wes pulls a couple war clubs out before proceeding to the on-deck circle. He knows the camera is on him - so he gives a little smile. Thanks Wes.

Lastly, that kid in the stands wearing the red shirt looks to be about my age in 1961. When examining the card as a child, I used to envy him and his view of the game - and maybe a leaning peak into the dugout!

[55koufax]

horseman.jpg