Topps has some excellent regular issues in the 1960s. One overlooked set, though, is the 1969 Topps Supers test issue. The cards are not only appealing, but much more difficult to find than the standard Topps issues from that time period.
1969 Topps Supers Basics
The 1969 Topps Supers are a drastic change from the company’s regular issue produced that year. The 1969 Topps cards were your traditional, sharp-cornered piece of cardboard. Like most sets, they featured the player’s name and team on the front. The Supers, however, had rounded corners like playing cards. In addition, the only print on the front was in the form of a replica signature. Backs included the standard name/team information in a simple box with a card number at the bottom.
How the cards came to be is a mystery. For years, there have been conflicting reports. Some have said they were distributed on their own in small packs in very limited areas while others have said they were also available in cello packs with the regular Topps cards. However they were released, there’s no doubt that they are still a hit with collectors almost 50 years later.
One interesting fact is that many of the images used in the set were closeups of the player’s regular 1969 Topps card. Another note is that, a very limited number of square-cornered Topps Supers cards are known as well.
1969 Topps Supers Stars
The set contains only 66 cards but it’s clear that Topps sought the biggest names for this project. Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, as they do in most 1960s sets, steal the attention here and are the key issues. Many other big names exist, too.
Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente are right behind those two greats. In addition a gaggle of others are included, such as, Pete Rose, Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Juan Marichal, Carl Yastrzemski, Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver, Joe Morgan, Billy Williams, Don Drysdale, Fergie Jenkins, and many more.
In all, nearly 1/3 of the set is comprised of Hall of Famers. While there are some commons present, there is also an abundance of recognizable stars from the 1960s. The set is well-known by vintage collectors for its overwhelming star power.
A Key Rookie
The set also receives a tremendous boost with a rare rookie card of Reggie Jackson. Paralleling Jackson’s regular 1969 Topps rookie is his 1969 Topps Supers card. Like some others in the set, the card will look immediately familiar to vintage collectors. That’s because the picture is a close-up of Jackson’s regular 1969 issue.
Because the card wasn’t widely distributed, some collectors won’t call this an ‘official’ rookie card, instead pointing to his standard 1969 Topps edition. But for vintage collectors seeking unique first-year cards of Hall of Famers, there’s no doubt that Jackson’s 1969 Topps Supers issue is incredibly desirable.
One unique aspect to Jackson’s 1969 Topps Supers that most collectors will notice is his early signature. Not only is it incredibly clean, but he spelled out his full first name, Reginald, as opposed to the shorter ‘Reggie’ found in most of his signatures.
1969 Topps Prices
Commons in decent shape aren’t too expensive, starting around $20. It’s the bigger names, though, that will cause a budget to increase significantly. High-grade Mantles will usually run more than $1,000.
The cards are rare enough that even mid-grade sets will sell for well over $1,000. A high-grade set that included 25 PSA 10s sold at auction for $10,157 in 2016.
While not plentiful, you can usually find several dozen 1969 Topps Supers on eBay. Click here to see what’s currently being offered.
1969 Topps Supers Checklist
1 Dave McNally
2 Frank Robinson
3 Brooks Robinson
4 Ken Harrelson
5 Carl Yastrzemski
6 Ray Culp
7 Jim Fregosi
8 Rick Reichardt
9 Vic Davalillo
10 Luis Aparicio
11 Pete Ward
12 Joel Horlen
13 Luis Tiant
14 Sam McDowell
15 Jose Cardenal
16 Willie Horton
17 Denny McLain
18 Bill Freehan
19 Harmon Killebrew
20 Tony Oliva
21 Dean Chance
22 Joe Foy
23 Roger Nelson
24 Mickey Mantle
25 Mel Stottlemyre
26 Roy White
27 Rick Monday
28 Reggie Jackson
29 Bert Campaneris
30 Frank Howard
31 Camilo Pascual
32 Tommy Davis
33 Don Mincher
34 Hank Aaron
35 Felipe Alou
36 Joe Torre
37 Fergie Jenkins
38 Ron Santo
39 Billy Williams
40 Tommy Helms
41 Pete Rose
42 Joe Morgan
43 Jim Wynn
44 Curt Blefary
45 Willie Davis
46 Don Drysdale
47 Tom Haller
48 Rusty Staub
49 Maury Wills
50 Cleon Jones
51 Jerry Koosman
52 Tom Seaver
53 Richie Allen
54 Chris Short
55 Cookie Rojas
56 Matty Alou
57 Steve Blass
58 Roberto Clemente
59 Curt Flood
60 Bob Gibson
61 Tim McCarver
62 Dick Selma
63 Ollie Brown
64 Juan Marichal
65 Willie Mays
66 Willie McCovey
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