The 1979 Topps football brought a nearly recycled design and the seventh straight 528-card set to collectors. It was the last year that wax packs would sell for 20 cents, as the price jumped to 25 cents in 1980. They were also distributed in cello and racks as per the usual custom of the time. 1979 Topps Football Design The ribbon in the upper corner (some are on the … [Read more...]
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1982 Topps Football Set Had…Logos!
The 1982 Topps football set has a solid mix of rookie and veteran players. But in terms of 1980s football issues, it's also one of the more underrated. While it doesn't have the heavy hitters in terms of big name rookies found in the 1981 (Joe Montana), 1984 (Dan Marino, John Elway), and 1986 (Jerry Rice, Steve Young) Topps releases, it's still worthy of finding a home in your … [Read more...]
1978 Topps Football Set Anchored By Hall of Fame Rookies
The NFL was changing forever. A 16 game regular season instead of 14. Two more playoff teams. Rule changes to open up the passing game. Not everything was changing in 1978, though. The average player salary was just over $62,000. Several teams still played on AstroTurf. It was against that backdrop that the 1978 Topps football set was … [Read more...]
More to 1981 Topps Football Set than Joe Montana Rookie Card
The 1981 Topps football set has a clearly identifiable headliner in the Joe Montana rookie card. Montana's rookie isn't only the biggest card in that set, it's one of the top football cards of the 1980s. But there's more to the issue than simply that card. Here are five other rookies from the 1981 set worth chasing - and the great news is that they're all highly … [Read more...]
1961 Fleer Football Set Topped Topps in Size
In 1961, professional football was split between two leagues, the decades old National Football League (NFL) and the newly formed American Football League (AFL). It would be five years before the two leagues would announce a planned merger and six before the first Super Bowl. The football card industry was also divided that year as both Topps and Fleer produced large … [Read more...]
1977 Topps Football An Affordable Set To Complete
The 1977 Topps football set is known for one major rookie card — Steve Largent — but it is a very affordable product that still contains some well-known NFL stars, including the second Topps card of Walter Payton. This was the third of four consecutive 528-card sets Topps put out during the mid- to late 1970s. 1977 Topps Football Basics 1977 Topps football cards … [Read more...]
1962 Fleer Football Was Slim, But Trim
After including players from the NFL and AFL in 1961 with a 220-card set, Fleer cut back in 1962. Only players from the upstart American Football League were included in the third of Fleer football sets issued during the early 1960, and the set was cut back to a mere 88 cards. The set might have been slim, but it sure was trim. The photography is surprisingly clear for an … [Read more...]
Colorful 1959 Topps Football Set Not a Bank Breaker
As the 1950s came to a close, the NFL was a one league sport. The pro football landscape was a year away from the change brought about by the American Football League. Vince Lombardi had just taken over the woeful Packers. Twelve teams. One maker of football cards. The 1959 Topps football set would be the company's biggest to date. 176 cards--44 more than they … [Read more...]
1967 Philadelphia Gum Set Was Company’s NFL Finale
The 1967 Philadelphia football set was the company’s final season of featuring players from the NFL. In 1964, the Philadelphia Gum Company had wrested rights from Topps to print and sell cards with NFL players. Topps would be relegated to the upstart AFL until 1968, when it regained the NFL rights and began issuing cards of players from both leagues. 1967 Philadelphia … [Read more...]
1971 Topps Football Was Condition-Sensitive But Filled With Stars
They weren't singing about cardboard when the tune "Just Dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition was getting regular radio airplay, but it's one collectors might be humming when they try to piece together a nice 1971 Topps football set. High-grade cards from this set are a tough lot. The set mirrors the … [Read more...]
