Saturday, July 12, 2014

What's Next? Round of 16: (2) 1974 Topps vs (15) 1961 Topps



I have far more '74 Topps cards to choose from, so finding a card that was interesting and worthy of scanning was easier than the '61 set.  Also, I'm not really sure what I was expecting out of the '74 set, but I was kind of surprised when compiling the tale of the tape that it was as inexpensive as it is. 


Tale of the tape:

  1.  Set Size:  1974 has 660 cards.  1961 has 587 cards
  2.  Key RCs:  1974  Dave Winfield, Ken Griffey Sr.  1961 Ron Santo, Juan Marichal
  3.  Cost of complete set in NM condition:  1974  $400      1961  $7000
  4.  Number of cards with high book at $100 or more: 1974: 0   1961: 17 
Blogs:  1974 Topps  vs   1961 Topps

I still haven't been able to find a blog dedicated to the 1961 Topps set, so this time I decided to link a recent post of the Night Owl to use as a reference.    The 1974 blog appears to have had its last entry written a couple of weeks back, so I'll have to take the time to read some of that now that it's finished.

I do have to say thanks to those who are voting regularly; it has been very interesting to see the comments on how collectors feel about these older sets.  Sometimes it has only been one line, other times it has been a paragraph.  But the comments have shown me how these sets have hit home with some people (positively and negatively), and that has made this tournament very enjoyable for me.

Spread the word if you can, it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks for reading, Robert

22 comments:

  1. 1974 was the first "old" set that fascinated me as a kid. So I'm going with the sentimental pick.

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  2. I'll take '74 as well. '61 Topps has never really resonated with me for some reason.

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  3. '74. I won't repeat the "first cards I ever owned" story, but that's why.

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  4. 74 for me... First set I completed as a kid

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    1. When I put the 74 set together I didn't consider it complete until I had all the Washington variation cards and the unnumbered team checklists. There are also to error cards in the set

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  5. I have to vote for 1974 as well. I like the look a little bit better. 1974 predates my birth, and 1961 predates the birth of my parents, so there isn't a real nostalgic connection with either of them.

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  6. 1974 gets my vote. Better design, not budget-busting but still with some appealing rookies, some action shots (more than 1961, anyway). If it's not enough of a challenge by itself, you can also collect the traded set, the team checklists and all the variations including the "Washington Nat'l Lea." cards... that brings the master set well over 700 cards.

    Full disclosure: 1974 was the first set I collected as a kid.

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  7. I have a hard time with this pairing. I have not collected more than a few cards from either set, I have not even started looking at either set except to collect my team. I will vote for 1961 just to be the first one, but I have no ties to either set or real reason to vote the way I did.

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  8. 1961 is a classic and gets my vote. 1974 is fine, but never grabbed me, really. But if we're talking real-world, realistic, $$$ in mind, 1974 is the set to go with. But all things being equal, 1961 would be pretty cool to own complete.

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  9. Put me down in the '74 column. I'm not nuts about it but it does have that 'semi/sort of coordinated team colors' thing going for it. At least it does for the Orioles which is one reason I like it. And the Washington "Nat'L Lea." cards are quirky and cool.

    And honestly, I just can't find much to love about the '61. I remember seeing 1958s as a kid, having 1959s, chasing 1960s and wondering what the heck was up with the wood grain 1962s but the '61 set has me drawing a huge blank.

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  10. Put me down for the 74 set. I just don't find the 61 set very appealing.

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  11. 1974. For no other reason than some Padres players are shown as playing for the "Washington Nat'l League" team.

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  12. I loved the look of the 74 set. It is still one of my favorites. When I was a kid I remember seeing the 74 Topps complete set for sale at Sears. Unfortunately I wasn't a good enough salesman to talk mom into getting it for me. I also had the McCovey Washington Nat'L Lea card and I thought that was just the greatest card ever.

    74 is the winner in my book.

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  13. Even though I don't own any cards from the set, I have always liked the very simplistic look of the 1961 set - it gets my vote.

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  14. This is an interesting matchup of minimalist designs. I like 'em both. But the 1974 set has always been a favorite for me. I love the horizontal cards in this set. And you've got the Hank Aaron HR King thing, the Traded cards, and a really nice '70s balance of actions shots with the posed ones. '74 gets my vote.

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  15. First star card I remember owning - 1974 Yaz. Think I still have it. Add in the Aaron specials, Wash Nat cards, Alou and Burris errors, All-Stars by position, and the most classic traded set ever, and '74 wins by a few lengths.

    '61 seems to be another one with lots of white guys with buzz cuts in a simple design. High dollar cards are fan fave type guys, but no blockbusters. Not a lot of distinctiveness. I think the Heritage set for this year kinda tanked.

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  16. 1974 OPC was fun, but as a Blue Jays fan, you will feel a little dirty paying money for the Bill Madlock RC.

    Go 1974.

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  17. Looks like it is a runaway for 1974. I'm good with that and will add my vote for it as well.

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  18. Robert, it looks like we commenters have invoked our own 16-vote mercy rule for this tournament.

    :)

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    Replies
    1. LOL Jim, it appears that this is the case...definitely not what I expected

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  19. '61, as one of the better cards in my meager collection is the Santo from that set.. though i was tempted to go '74 since it was the year of my birth.. good day, gents...

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