I've been trying to decide which 1970s set to start building for my next vintage set build, but I can't seem to make up my mind. So, I'm going to take a little closer look at what I already have in my collection and try to narrow it down.
Big Dave is the big rookie in the 1974 set, but you'll also find Jerry Hairston, Texas phenom David Clyde, Expos great Steve Rogers, Randy Jones, Dave Parker, Gorman Thomas, Dan Driessen, Bucky Dent, Ken Griffey, Bill Madlock, Royals great Frank White, just to name a few!
I have a 1974 Wantlist, but it's not to complete the full set, it's just a list of cards I thought I'd like to add to my collection at some point.
1974: 1 - 6, 7, 10, 20, 26, 29, 30, 40, 42, 43, 45, 48, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 85, 86, 96, 100, 108, 109, 115, 116, 118, 120, 133, 135, 136, 142, 144, 145, 147, 148, 150, 152, 153, 155, 158, 165, 169, 178, 179, 190, 195, 200, 229, 230, 237, 238, 241, 250,251, 252. 255, 257, 260, 261, 265, 269, 280, 283, 288, 290, 300, 304,326, 328, 340, 347, 350, 351, 355, 360, 369, 373, 378, 400, 408, 409, 445, 446, 461, 462, 470, 471,472, 473,474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 492, 506, 519, 529, 540, 558, 561, 563, 570, 575, 598, 601, 604, 605,620, 629, 649, 653
Horizontal cards are still all the rage, I like the landscape look every once in a while to break things up! The banner, which very vaugely recalls the '65 set, is not split up on the horizontal cards like their vertical bretheren.
The oddball feature of this set of course is the Padres' flirtation with the nation's capital - Topps was ready to move the Padres to D.C. before they could change their name, instead they changed their mind and stayed in San Diego after all.
Here's a full page of my favorites from the set already in my collection. You know - this one might be the one. I have been re-building my want lists each time I've done one of these posts, and I really went to town adding cards to the list for this set. I like banners, I am simple man... I haven't even mentioned the Hank Aaron tribute, (or how most of the Pirates are wearing Roberto Clemente's 21 on their sleeves), or the "TRADED" set within the set. There's a lot to like here.
My decision is being delayed again though, as the card show is cancelled for April (and probably May as well, let's be real here). I have been trying to exchange some money for some lots of 70s commons for several months now but either I forget to ask or the dealer forgets to bring them. Well, no one's getting those cards this month!
What do you think are the Pros and Cons of the 1973 Set? I'd love to hear your opinion!
This is the set. The Washington variations. The last willie mays card. The hank aaron specials. The weird ralph houk manager card. Lots of other great cards like gary mathews and steve garvey and harmon killebrew. It's just a great set to complete.
ReplyDeleteWashington variations are tough to find, especially the known players like Kendall, Gaston, and definitely McCovey. Mays' last card was in '73 along with Clemente.
ReplyDeleteThere is a card of Mays in the 74 set too, it's the 73 World Series Game 2 card. No base card though.
DeleteYes I was referring to the world series card of mays in the 74 set.
DeletePros: First set I ever owned cards from and the one that made me a Dodgers fan. ... Terrific-looking design and some very interesting cards for its time (Concepcion, Garvey, Kingman, etc). Also the Oakland A's cards are OUTSTANDING. And the comics on the back are among the best ever.
ReplyDeleteCons: Can't come up with much: Aaron doesn't have a regular-looking card in the set?
Love the photography and the subsets in this set. That Marichal is one of my favorites... but like your post shows there are so many great looking cards. I think I might need to add the Fisk to my wantlist.
ReplyDeleteI've never given this set a second thought until now, but your post and the comments have me wanting to take a deeper dive.
ReplyDeleteThis set has my favorite Ron Santo card, a Bill Madlock rookie, and that crazy Billy Williams card if you want a Cubs centric fix!
DeleteI think the '74 set is a little bit underrated. And without looking at prices out there, I'd guess it's more affordable than '73 or '75.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the '74 cards look pretty sharp in nine-pocket pages, as your blog post shows.