A Taste of Topps

[The Nasty Nati]

For the last few years I've strictly collected T206's, but lately I've been getting the itch for collecting more modern cards. So I've been thinking about building a Topps set from a particular year, but it seems too daunting. Instead, I'm considering building a "set" that features just 1 card for every year Topps has made baseball cards (1952 to now).

I want to compose a collection of cards from each year that best embodies the design from that year. I'm not necessarily looking for cards that are of high value or significance, for example a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron, and I'm not sure I want to go too crazy on prices (although it depends), but I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on specific cards from each year that look great or are a must to get.

Note: I still want the players to be stars or minor stars. Grades of PSA 3-6 for vintage and PSA 8-10 for modern.

A couple examples off the top of my head:

1954 Topps Jackie Robinson
1956 Topps Mickey Mantle
1957 Topps Hank Aaron (like the reverse image mistake)
1969 Topps Nolan Ryan
1970 Topps Johnny Bench
1975 Topps George Brett
1978 Topps Eddie Murray
1979 Topps Ozzie Smith (love the chops)
1980 Topps Rickey Henderson (very iconic 80's card)
1983 Topps Tony Gwynn