After producing its largest set ever in 1972, Topps scaled back to a 660-card set in '73 and was in the midst of a landmark change in how its flagship set was created, delivered and collected. The whole process was a bit of an experiment. This week's edition of Vintage Pack Facts from VintageBreaks.com looks at how Topps marketed its first set of the "660 … [Read more...]
1973 Topps Comics ‘Test’ Set an Unreleased Rarity
Of all of the various Topps “test” issues, the 1973 Topps Comics set is one of the company’s most unique, most rare, most mysterious and most colorful issues. Chances are you don’t have any in your collection. Don’t feel bad. Few do. If you do have one—or more—you’ve got a truly rare piece of collecting history. Topps created numerous sets that had either a … [Read more...]
Mike Schmidt Rookie Card Last of the Vintage High Number HOFers
He's arguably one of the best to ever play third base in the majors, dazzling fans with his great glove work but also providing historically significant run production at the plate. Mike Schmidt also has another distinction: the last of the important vintage high number rookie cards. Schmidt's 1973 Topps rookie card (#615) is one he humbly shares with … [Read more...]
1973 Topps Baseball Set Bid Farewell to Clemente, Hello to Schmidt
In the waning hours of 1972, a cargo plane bound for Nicaragua crashed into the ocean off the coast of Puerto Rico, taking with it a true baseball hero and casting a dark pall over the 1973 season before the New Year could even introduce itself to the world. Roberto Clemente had collected his 3000th hit just months before, on the last day of the regular season, and appeared to … [Read more...]