Next, the State of the 1960s Topps Redbirds and there is no surprise that the number of Redbird cards increase in the 1960s with the massive expansion of base cards in sets and the success of the Birds in 1964, 1967, and 1968.
The 1960 Topps set is among my favorites-period. The horizontal orientation works well-the photos and colors pop and there are reasonable variations to pick up. There are two pricey cards needed to complete the 38 Redbird team set. The #160 Boyer/Mantle “ Rival All-Stars”, and #250 Musial. The Boyer/Mantle card is the one to target in less than top condition.
We go from one of my all-time favorite sets to the first of two consecutive way less than favorite ones. The 1961 Topps is just OK to me-though I appreciate the backs. The challenge with this set apart from the obvious Musial, are the high numbers. Of the 36 cards in this year’s issue we are down to 5 to complete. We have the Musial but this could use an upgrade. Needed are #s 11, 47, 211 (Bob Gibson), 535 (hi-number), and 573 Ken Boyer (hi-number and Sporting News All-Star).
The 1962 issue is one that many collectors like but I am not one of them-the faux wood grain fronts and the less than sharp pictures-yuk! How does the photography get worse the more modern Topps went? The monstrosity has 38 Redbirds on the checklist. Number 50 Stan Musial, #530 Bob Gibson, and high #s 531 and 590 Curt Flood are all that are standing in the way of completing the Cardinals.
What can you say about 1963 Topps? Better photography, for simple clean fronts that contain alien baby heads. There are 35 Redbirds in 1963’s set. We are left with 5 of the 35. Are you waiting for the cards needed? Yep, If you guessed correctly it would #5 and 9 both Gibbies, #250 Stan the Man, #394 Tim Carver, and #544 Duke Carmel 1964 Rookie Stars-this is a harder than average one needed. It is both a high #s and he shares the card with Rusty Staub.
Now we are on to two consecutive sets I really like and if I could I grab a NM set of each-we can dream can’t we? Thirty-one beautiful Cardinals, yes I need Gibby. The challenging cards in general are the high #s in the set -Lew Burdette, Bob Uecker, Dal Maxvill, and Phil Gagliano. I am still kicking my self for not picking up these for a song-why didn’t I pull the trigger? God Knows. Apart from the usual suspects the Bib Uecker is a very popular card with collectors. We are just 8 away from putting this set to bed.
Nineteen sixty five-can anyone say something bad about this set? Nope, which of course makes it hard to pick up solid cards for a decent price. The are an astounding 46 Cardinals in the 1965 set-a good part of the Redbird cards are part of the World Series subset, 8 of them, noting the Redbirds title. Fifteen precious Redbird cards are needed-and Ken Boyer, Ray Sadecki, and Gibby league leader cards, Steve Carlton’s rookie card and Bob Uecker.
Back to another set that is just blah for me, 1966. There are 32 Cardinals and we are in need of just one card, yep one card and it is a very challenging and key card. Is the rookie card of Joe Hoerner, George Kernek, and Jimy Williams. Who? Why? There is no who but there is a why-the why is because it is a very high high numbered card that has the dubious distinction of being a short printed one at that.
Ah, now to my birth year-1967. Beginning in 1967, Topps closes out the decade with solid sets. There are 30 Cardinals in the 1967 set and there are 11 to complete team set. This set is always very popular and I missing some obvious key cards-I really need the big hitters in the set. These include Roger Maris, Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson X 2, Curt Flood, Tim McCarver, Mike Shannon, and Red Schoendienst.
Though I am not a fan of the 1968 set-again a weird frame, this time of burlap. Why burlap? I don’t get it. However, there are 39 Cardinals in the set, which includes another World Series subset to mark their 1967 victory over the Red Sox. The Redbird team set will be complete after we land 7 -Gibby, Orlando Cepeda, Roger Maris’ last regular issue card, Steve Carlton, and Lou Brock.
The biggest fish to land is the Maris card.
The last year of the decade, 1969, was a solid year for Topps. Forty-three Redbirds, which include another World Series subset to mark their remarkable loss to the Tigers, eleven cards to finish the team set. The World Series cards are popular, Brock, Shannon, Gibby X2, Carlton, Red, and Tim McCarver are needed.
Stats-
1950s Topps Cardinals in the base set 199
1960s Topps Cardinals in the base set 368
1950s Topps Cardinals in collection 127
1960s Topps Cardinals in collection 299
1950s needed 72
1960s needed 69
A. I love the 60T design too.
ReplyDeleteB. Had no idea that there was a Sporting News All-Star subset in 61T. Thought that was a 70T thing.
C. I love the 65T set, but you asked, so you shall receive. I don't like the airbrushed hat Mr. Ackley is wearing while sitting next to Lefty.
The high number 61 AS, I don't see them often. I am tracking the Boyer one of my favorite Bay auctioneers has , I will put a bid of $20 on it but know that t will go way more than that. The 66T rookie is a ton of airbrushing some better than others.
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