Top 10 Non-Pele Soccer Cards

[esehombre]

Absolutely continue to 20. I will add my thoughts and cards as well tonight. Great post!

[aljurgela]

what do you think of these?

[aljurgela]

OK... so that was my top 20. I am sure that I could be a bit more sophisticated, if I gave it more thought and study, but these are all decent options that I think I can defend. I just noticed the strong bias towards 1950 and before, with only 3 cards making the cut from after 1950. Perhaps that is a good year of demarcation and another "Top 20" (post 1950) could exist? That would open a few slots in the (mostly) pre 1950 cards above. Which Meazza card should we put it?

Thoughts?

[Collect Equity]

WOW! Those are some really cool cards. I just love the amazing variety of vintage soccer cards

Most of my collection is Pele and I have only dabbled in non-Pele cards. So I don't actually own any of these cards. I did bid on the really poor condition 1920s Crack Nasazzi that recently was on eBay and got slaughtered compared to how much others were willing to spend on the beat up card.

I'd love to see a back for the Andrade card. I have never seen that one. Can you post a back for it? Also, backs for any other cards with cool, non-blank backs?

[aljurgela]

Originally Posted by Collect Equity

WOW! Those are some really cool cards. I just love the amazing variety of vintage soccer cards

Most of my collection is Pele and I have only dabbled in non-Pele cards. So I don't actually own any of these cards. I did bid on the really poor condition 1920s Crack Nasazzi that recently was on eBay and got slaughtered compared to how much others were willing to spend on the beat up card.

I'd love to see a back for the Andrade card. I have never seen that one. Can you post a back for it? Also, backs for any other cards with cool, non-blank backs?

So there is nothing to show. I have the entire team, that that is why the date can be placed to 1928 (Olympic team).

[Collect Equity]

Originally Posted by aljurgela

OK... so that was my top 20. I am sure that I could be a bit more sophisticated, if I gave it more thought and study, but these are all decent options that I think I can defend. I just noticed the strong bias towards 1950 and before, with only 3 cards making the cut from after 1950. Perhaps that is a good year of demarcation and another "Top 20" (post 1950) could exist? That would open a few slots in the (mostly) pre 1950 cards above. Which Meazza card should we put it?

Thoughts?

I think all 3 of them are worthy specimens. Is one of them considered more of a rookie or harder to find than the others?

[esehombre]

Originally Posted by Collect Equity

I think all 3 of them are worthy specimens. Is one of them considered more of a rookie or harder to find than the others?

Agreed and fantastic cards--all 3 of the Meazza's are worthy (and i would be really interested to see how SGC was able to date the Editore Scono). The 1927 Lurati would be my call because the Zaini is an "in action" shot (1 other player) and while the Stagni Petazzoni is one heavyweight of a card, the date "1927-29" is likely not correct as the Ambrosiana part of the Inter name didnt come about until 1928.

This is truly a world class lineup Al--I just dont know that i would have many that i would add pre-1950 (there are a couple I may remove). There will be a few but like you suggested most will be post 1950.

While a far cry from most of the gems above I would think this card would need to be included in any discussion. More to come..

[Copa7]

That's a mighty fine selection, Al.

I might put together a list too. I like the South American and Italian issues.

[esehombre]

Without a lot of time invested into statistics/rarity etc these are a few I could come up with. I would say an early Bloomer should at least be considered as well.

From top and left to right:

1958 Balas Garrincha
1938 Brazilian Team Postcard w/ Leonidas
1939 Kicker Fritz Walter
1974 Ageducatifs Michel Platini
1915 Chocolate Amatller Pichichi
1933 Cioccolato Dolomiti Silvio Piola (Serie A top scorer)
1992 Panini Zidane
1983 Panini Marco Van Basten
1999 Gremio Ronaldinho

[Peter_Spaeth]

Only because I have it, probably too common for you sophisticates.

[thelimey]

I like your choices, there are some amazing cards there. I love that Sindelar, I have a Bulgaria and Konig but no Greiling yet. Likewise I have a few other Meazza and Mazzola but I've been foiled on past attempts to pick up their key cards, I also stupidly missed out on a Circus Girl GO Smith auction this week due to an overrunning appointment.

I guess the question is whether is whether you interpret a top 10 as "grail cards" weighted towards rarity and significance of the issue or towards including top players and recognisable, iconic cards for people new to the hobby.

Going for the second interpretation I'd go for this as a top 10

1946 Monte Cudine Di Stefano
1947 Naninina Puskas
1956 Vecchi Garrincha
1963 Panini Eusebio
1964 Barratt A12 Best
1968 Palirex Cruyff
1974 Ageducatifs Platini
1977 Futbol Maradona
2002 Mega craques Ronaldo
2004 Megacracks Messi

Yes it's boring, many are not especially rare, some aren't true rookies, some might argue discs aren't cards and I remember reading somewhere there are doubts about the authenticity of the Monte Cudines (if someone knows more about this I'd love to hear). It's a shame but a lot of fans are not interested in pre war players, perhaps Dixie Dean and Meazza come closest. Even here in England the vast majority of fans have never heard of the likes of GO Smith, Meredith, Bloomer, Needham, etc you'd probably just know the ones from the club you support.

[samosa4u]

The list should include players that are well known around the world. Players like Dixie Dean, G.O. Smith and Billy Meredith are known only in the UK. Here is my list:

- 1946 Monte Cudine Alfredo Di Stefano
- 1947 Nannina Ferenc Puskas
- 1963 Panini Eusebio
- 1964 Barratt George Best
- 1968 Sicker-Verlag Suurbier/Cruyff
- 1974 Ageducatifs Michel Platini
- 1977 Futbol Arg Jrs. Discs Diego Maradona
- 1992 Panini Zinedine Zidane
- 2003 Panini Mega Craques Ronaldo
- 2004 Panini Mega Cracks Lionel Messi

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