1970s Topps
The 1970s saw Topps go largely uncontested in the sports card market. The decade featured full runs of baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. Aside from issues like Kellogg's cereal premiums which ran throughout the 70s there was not much in the way of major national card manufacturers to compete with. Topps maintained its license agreement with O-Pee-Chee in baseball and hockey. The company would have significantly more ground to cover given the growth of the professional sports leagues during the decade. Major League Baseball added four new teams in 1969 and two in 1977; the National Football League added two teams in 1976; the National Basketball Association gained three in 1970, one in 1974, and the American Basketball Association picked up one in 1972; the NHL acquired two teams in 1970, 1972, and 1974. Soccer also made the Topps roster in the 70s, producing English and Scottish 'Footballers' for distribution in the United Kingdom. Domestic soccer was not to be forgotten with a North American Soccer League sticker set in 1979. The following are trading card sets issued by Topps in the 1970s. All cards listed are standard size (2½ × 3½ inches). Exceptions are noted.
Baseball
Base sets
| Year | Set | Quantity | Size (in.) | Distribution1 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Topps | 720 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(10), Cello(33), Rack(54) | |
| 1971 | Topps | 752 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(10), Cello(30), Rack(54) | 1st Topps set w/ photo on back |
| 1972 | Topps | 787 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(10), Cello(), Rack(54) | some card backs combine to form picture |
| 1973 | Topps | 660 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(10), Cello(27), Rack(54) | last set issued in series |
| 1974 | Topps | 660 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(8,12), Cello(22), Rack(42) | Factory set issued for 1st time |
| 1975 | Topps | 660 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(10), Cello(18), Rack(42) | |
| 1976 | Topps | 660 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(6,10), Cello(24), Rack(42) | |
| 1977 | Topps | 660 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(10), Cello(18), Rack(39) | |
| 1978 | Topps | 726 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(14), Cello(21), Rack(39) | |
| 1979 | Topps | 726 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax(12), Cello(18), Rack(39) | Super Cello Pack (28) |
1 Pack type(card quantity)
Supplemental Issues
| Year | Set | Type | Quantity | Size (in.) | Distribution1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Posters Inserts | Insert | 24 | 8-11/16 × 9⅝ | |
| Topps Super | Large | 42 | 3⅛ × 5¼ | Wax (3) | |
| 1971 | Coin Inserts | Insert | 153 | 1½" diameter | |
| Greatest Moments | Highlight | 55 | 2½ × 4¾ | Wax | |
| Topps Super | Large | 63 | 3⅛ × 5¼ | Wax (3) | |
| Bazooka Numbered | Test | 48 | 2 × 2⅝ | Panel (3) | |
| Bazooka Unnumbered | Box card | 36 | 2 × 2⅝ | Panel (3) | |
| 1973 | Blue Team Checklists | Insert | 24 | 2.5 × 3.5 | |
| 1974 | Traded | Update | 44 | 2.5 × 3.5 | |
| Team Checklists | Insert | 24 | 2.5 × 3.5 | ||
| 1975 | Mini | Parallel | 660 | 2¼ × 3⅛ | Wax(10),Cello(18) |
| 1976 | Traded | Update | 44 | 2.5 × 3.5 | |
| 1977 | Cloth Stickers | Test | 73 | 2.5 × 3.5 | Wax (3) |
| 1979 | Topps Comics | Food | 33 | 3¼ × 3 | Wrapper (1) |
1 Pack type(card quantity)
Food/Retail
In the late 1970s, Topps produced promotional sets for Burger King fast food restaurants, Procter & Gamble and NBC.
- Burger King In 1977 Topps produced a set featuring the New York Yankees for New York City area Burger King fast food restaurants. The cards were identical to the 1977 Topps regular issue cards and were distributed as part of a promotion at the company's outlets in the region. Some of the players had a different photo than their Topps counterpart. This Burger King set originally had 22 cards plus a checklist card, but a Lou Piniella card was added after the promotion began along with a revised checklist. Only the checklist card featured any Burger King branding.
The next year, Topps produced for Burger King issued sets of New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers for distribution at outlets in the home areas of the teams. The cards were almost identical (the photo area is slightly larger) to the 1978 Topps regular issue cards Some of the players had a different photo than their Topps counterpart including some who have changed teams, most notably the Yankees Goose Gossage. Also of note are single rookie cards for the Tigers Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, and Lou Whitaker, who all appeared on multiple player rookie cards in the Topps set. As with the previous year, only the checklist card featured any Burger King branding.
In 1979, the promotion was reduced to two teams, the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. Again the cards were virtually identical to the 1979 Topps regular issue cards for distribution at outlets in the home areas of the teams. Some of the players had a different photo or photo cropping variation than their Topps counterpart and the card number on the back was in a different typeface. The Burger King set featured 22 cards plus a checklist card. Several cards reflected players changing teams, most notably Pete Rose (Phillies) and Tommy John (Yankees).
- NBC In 1976, Topps produced a promotional business card for NBC featuring former baseball player and then Today Show host Joe Garagiola. The front of the card resembles the 1973 Topps baseball set with Garagiola being listed as a member of the "NBC All Stars."The reverse resembles the 1976 set, but is printed in black instead of green. Garagiola's career statistics are featured, as well as his contact information at NBC.
- Zest Soap In 1978, Topps produced for Procter & Gamble's Zest brand soap a set of five cards as a promotional item. The cards were basically identical to the 1978 Topps set, but they featured bilingual English/Spanish backs, and only five players, all Hispanic, were featured.
- 1978 Atlanta Nobis Center is a 24-card standard size set that look like 1959 Topps cards.
Licensed Sets
- For the O-Pee-Chee sets that resembled the Topps issue see List of O-Pee-Chee Sports Cards.
- 1978 Detroit Free Press A Sunday edition of the paper issued on April 16, 1978, featured 28 color reproductions of Detroit Tigers cards from the 1978 Topps set. The backs were also printed on separate pages in black and white. The reader was instructed to cut out the cards and paste them together.
Football (American)
1970
- Base set 263 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Glossy Inserts 33 cards Size: 2¼ × 3¼ in.
- Posters Inserts 24 posters Size: 8 × 10 in.
- Topps Super 35 cards Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ in.
1971
- Base set 263 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Game Inserts 53 cards Size: 2¼ × 3¼ in.
- Posters Inserts 32 posters Size: 4⅞ × 6⅞ in.
- Bazooka 36 cards/12 panels of 3 Size: 2⅝ × 5⅞ in.(1-15/16 × 2⅝ individually)
1972
- Base set 351 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Bazooka Official Signals 12 cards Size: 6¼ × 2⅞ in.
1973
- Base set 528 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Checklists 26 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1974
- Base set 528 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Parker Brothers Pro Draft 50 cards licensed set Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Checklists 26 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Wonder Bread 30 cards food premium
1975
- Base set 528 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Checklists 26 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Wonder Bread 24 cards food premium
1976
- Base set 528 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Checklists 30 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Wonder Bread 24 cards food premium
1977
- Base set 528 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Holsun Packers/Vikings 22 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Checklists 30 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Topps Mexican 528 cards parallel set Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1978
- Base set 528 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Topps Holsum 33 cards food set Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Checklists 28 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1979
- Base set 528 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Checklists 28 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Basketball
During the 1970s Topps issued cards featuring the two professional basketball leagues active at the time, the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) until they merged in 1976.
1970-71
- Base set 175 cards (NBA) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 in.
- Topps Poster 24 posters Size: 8 × 10 inches
1971-72
- Base set 233 cards (NBA/ABA) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Topps Trios 26 stickers Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1972-73
Base set 264 cards (NBA/ABA) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1973-74
- Base set 264 cards (NBA/ABA) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Stickers 33 stickers Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1974-75
Base set 264 cards (NBA/ABA) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1975-76
- Base set 330 cards (NBA/ABA) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Team Checklist 27 cards Size: 7½ × 10½ in. (panel)
1976-77
Base set 144 cards (NBA) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches.
1977-78
Base set 132 cards (NBA) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1978-79
Base set 132 cards (NBA) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1979-80
Base set 132 cards (NBA) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Ice hockey
During the 1970s Topps issued cards featuring the National Hockey League in conjunction with their Canadian partner O-Pee-Chee who issued larger sized sets in Canada.
1970-71
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Topps Sticker Stamps (33) Insert set Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1971-72
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Bazooka (36) twelve 3-card panels
1972-73
- Base set 176 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1973-74
- Base set 198 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1974-75
- Base set 264 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1975-76
- Base set 330 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1976-77
- Base set 264 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Glossy Inserts 22 Cards Size: 2 1⁄4 × 3 1⁄4 inches
1977-78
- Base set 264 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Glossy Inserts 22 Cards Size: 2 1⁄4 × 3 1⁄4 inches
1978-79
- Base set 264 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Topps Team (17) Insert set Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1979-80
- Base set 264 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Topps Team (21) Insert set Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Football (Soccer)
In 1974, Topps bought out A.&B.C. Gum of London, England, a company which had been a long time producer English and Scottish soccer cards. A.&B.C. had a previous relationship with Topps by producing licensed versions of numerous non-sport sets. A.&B.C. also occasionally borrowed Topps cards designs for use on soccer sets. After the buyout Topps continued to produce soccer sets for distribution in the UK. Topps typically reused designs of US sets for the soccer cards. The design resemblances are mentioned below. In 1979 Topps produced a 33 card sticker sets of the North American Soccer League featuring primarily team logos.
1975
These sets share their design with 1975 Baseball.
- English Footballers 220 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Scottish Footballers 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1976
- English Footballers 330 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Scottish Footballers 132 Cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1977
These sets share their design with 1976 Baseball.
- English Footballers 330 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Scottish Footballers 132 Cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1978
These sets share their design with 1977 American Football.
- English Footballers 396 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Scottish Footballers 132 Cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1979
The English and Scottish sets share their design with 1978 American Football.
- English Footballers 396 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Scottish Footballers 132 Cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- NASL Stickers 33 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Non-sport
1970
Bobby Sherman Plaks (?/35) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Bugs Bunny Tattoos (15) Size: 2-7/16 × 3-7/16 inches
Comic Cover Stickers (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Disgusting Disguises reissue (51) Size: various
Flags of the World (77 flags) (5 dictionary) (17 money) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Funny Doors (24) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Funny Lil Joke Books (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Hee Haw (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Mini-Toons aka Magic Rub-Offs (12) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Racing Track Cards/Soda Fountain Cards (21/12) Size: 2 × 3⅝ inches
Stacks of Stickers (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Valentine Foldees (55) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Valentine Postcards (33) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Way-Out Wheels (57) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
1971
Bobby Sherman 'Getting Together' (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Brady Bunch (88) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Gum Berries Lids (55) Size: 1⅞" diameter
Nasty Valentine Notes (30) Size: 2½ × 4¾ inches
Nice or Nasty Valentines (33) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Partridge Family (198) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Partridge Family Posters (24) Size: 9-7/16 × 18 inches
Pop Guns (12) Size: irregular
Winners (#) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1972
Fun Projects (12) Size: 3 × 6¼ inches
Mod Initials (#) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
US Presidents (43) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
- Campaign Posters (15) Size: 4⅞ × 6-15/16 inches
1973
Batty Buttons (24) Size: 2" diameter
Kung Fu Test (60) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Kung Fu (60) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Monster Initial Stickers (141) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
The Rookies (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Ugly Stickers (110) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Wacky Packages Posters (24) Size: 9⅝ × 18-7/16 inches
Wacky Packages Stickers Series 1,2,3,4 (30,33,30,32) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Wacky Packages Tattoos (57) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
Waltons (50) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Creature Feature (128) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1974
Evel Knievel (82) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Far-Out Iron-Ons (24) Size: irregular
Six Million Dollar Man (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Speed Wheels (24) Size: 4¼ × 5½ inches
Wacky Packages Stickers Series 5,6,7,8,9,10,11 (32,33,33,30,29,30,30) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1975
Bay City Rollers (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Big Bad Buttons (24) Size: 2¼" diameter
Comic Book Heroes Stickers (49) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Fancy Pants (31) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Good Times (76) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Hysterical History (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Monster Tattoos (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
Planet of the Apes (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Shock Theater test (50) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Wacky Packages Stickers Series 12,13,14,15 (27,30,30,30) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Wanted Posters (24) Size: 9-7/16 × 18-1/16 inches
Wanted Stickers (42) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Zoo's Who (58) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1976
Autos of 1977 (119) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Dino-Mite Facts (#) Size: 3½ × 6½ inches
Happy Days (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Happy Days A Series (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
King Kong (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Mad Ad Foldees (33) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Marvel Super Heroes Stickers (40) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Star Trek (110) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
TV Cartoon Tattoos (16) Size: 2-7/16 × 3-7/16 inches
Ugly Stickers (110) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Wacky Packages Stickers Series 16 (30) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Welcome Back Kotter (53) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1977
Charlie's Angels (297) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Monster Legends (#) Size: 3½ × 6½ inches
Star Wars (385) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1978
Battlestar Galactica (154) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Close Encounters (77) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Grease (154) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Jaws 2 (70) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Marvel Comics (34) Size: 3-5/16 × 3¼ inches
Mork & Mindy (121) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Star Wars Movie Photo (56) Size: 2⅞ × 3-5/16 inches
Superman The Movie (193) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Three's Company (60) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1979
Alien (106) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Black Hole (110) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Buck Rogers (110) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Crazy Stick-Ons (48) Size: 1⅛ × 3⅜ inches
Incredible Hulk (110) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Marvel Comics (33) Size: 3 × 3¼ inches
Monstickers (68) Size: 2 × 4¾ inches
Moonraker (121) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Rocky 2 (121) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Star Trek (110) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Superman (4) Size: 2½ × 3⅝ inches
Scratch-Offs (~6) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Wacky Packages reissue (264) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Sources
- Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2002). "Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-17-X
- Lemke, Robert F. (2006). "Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards". KP ; Newton Abbot-Iola, Wisconsin ISBN 0-89689-372-3
- Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2005). "Beckett Football Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-41-2
- "Tuff Stuff 2005 Standard Catalog of Football Cards". Krause Publications-Iola, Wisconsin ISBN 0-87349-866-6
- Beckett, Dr. James et al. (2004). "Beckett Basketball Card Price Guide". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-37-4
- "Tuff Stuff 2003 Standard Catalog of Basketball Cards". Krause Publications-Iola, Wisconsin ISBN 0-87349-474-1
- Beckett, James (2004). "Beckett hockey card price guide & alphabetical checklist". Beckett Publications-Dallas, Texas ISBN 1-930692-36-6
- Benjamin, Christopher et al. (1988). "The Sport Americana price guide to the non-sports cards". Edgewater Book Co.-Cleveland, Ohio ISBN 0-937424-36-6
- Murphy, Mark (2002). "Unopened Pack, Wrapper & Display Box Guide". Mark Murphy-Stamford, Connecticut
- "Cigarette Card Values". Murray Cards(International) Ltd.-London, England ISBN 0-946942-29-3
- Laker, Ian A. (2004). "A.&B.C. Gum Ltd. Cards". The London Cigarette Card Co.Ltd.-Somerset, England ISBN 0-903790-95-5