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Basketball cards have been produced by various companies since the 1940s, with the first NBA set released in 1948 by Bowman. Over the years, companies such as Topps, Fleer, Hoops, Skybox, and Panini have created basketball card sets, with designs and sizes varying across different eras. One notable example of oversized basketball cards is the 1970 Topps set, which featured an oversized rookie card of Maravich, measuring roughly 2 1/2 by 4 11/16. Topps also produced large cards for two seasons, including the 1976-77 set, which was exceptionally large at 3 1/8 inches by 5 1/4 inches. While the popularity of card collecting experienced fluctuations, the introduction of rookie cards and the rise of stars like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan in the 1980s contributed to renewed interest in basketball cards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Years of oversized basketball card production | 1969-70, 1977 |
| Company that produced the oversized cards | Topps |
| Height of the oversized cards | 3 1/8 inches |
| Width of the oversized cards | 5 1/4 inches |
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What You'll Learn
Topps produced basketball cards from 1969-1970 to the early 1980s
Topps produced basketball cards from 1969 to 1981 (or 1982, according to some sources). This was after a 10-year hiatus, with other brands taking the lead in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In preparation for its return to basketball cards, Topps created one of the rarest sets of cards ever produced—the 1968-69 Topps Test Basketball set. This black-and-white set consists of 22 cards, each with minimal information on the front and a puzzle-style back that, when assembled, creates a complete image of Wilt Chamberlain dunking.
During its time back in the basketball card game, Topps produced the rookie cards of several basketball greats, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor) in 1969, point guard Pete Maravich in 1970, point guard Nate Archibald in 1971, center Bill Walton in 1974, and the trio of Larry Bird, Julius Erving, and Magic Johnson in 1980. The late '60s and early '70s were an interesting time for basketball cards, as licensing agreements were idiosyncratic. Topps was allowed to show the front of players' jerseys when they said the city name—for example, "Phila" or "Milwaukee"—but not the team nicknames, like "Celtics" or "Lakers." To get around this, some players wore warm-up jackets over their uniforms, while others posed with their jerseys on backward. Topps eventually got full licensing and started showing all logos in 1973.
Topps also produced some notable oddball sets during this period. In 1976-77, they went big with cards that were 3 1/8 inches by 5 1/4 inches in size. Then, in 1980, they created a three-panel set that featured both Bird and Magic, the two best rookies, and the most respected star of the day. This unique card helped bring the NBA to the masses and is one of the best basketball cards in the history of the hobby.
After its initial return to basketball cards in 1969, Topps continued to produce cards through the early 1980s, with sets released through 1981-82. The company then took a break from making basketball cards for a few years, before returning again in 1986 and then in 1992.
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The 1977 Topps basketball cards were produced at 3 1/8 x 5 1/4
Basketball cards have had an interesting history with their sizes. For two seasons, they were produced in large card sizes. However, in 1976-77, Topps took it up a notch by producing oversized cards measuring 3 1/8 x 5 1/4 inches. These cards were significantly larger than the standard size cards commonly produced during that time.
The 1977 Topps basketball cards, at 3 1/8 x 5 1/4 inches, stood out not just for their size but also for their unique characteristics. These cards were part of a set that included important rookie cards, such as those of Pete Maravich and Julius Erving, who were among the notable players of that era. The cards from this set are considered rare and highly sought-after by collectors.
The 1976-77 Topps basketball cards, with their impressive dimensions, marked a brief departure from the regular card sizes of the time. Following this brief experiment with oversized cards, the producers returned to the standard card sizes for the rest of the decade. This shift in size can be attributed to practical considerations and the desire to maintain a consistent format that could be easily stored and displayed.
The 1977 Topps basketball cards, produced at 3 1/8 x 5 1/4 inches, hold a special place in the history of sports memorabilia. They represent a bold and innovative approach to basketball card design, showcasing the players in a larger-than-life format. These cards have become collector's items, cherished for their rarity and the iconic players they feature. Their brief appearance in the market adds to their allure, making them a unique piece of sports history.
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Topps produced a black-and-white test issue in 1968
Topps produced basketball cards for two seasons before switching to the regular size for the rest of the decade. In 1968, Topps produced a black-and-white test issue of basketball cards. This set is incredibly rare and was not meant for distribution. It is believed that the cards were leaked by an internal employee, as there were no marketing plans or production test runs. The set included 22 cards, and nearly all of them featured players who would become all-time greats. Most of the cards show the player in a posed picture, with their name and other information along the bottom of the card. The back of each card features a piece of a picture of Wilt Chamberlain, so a collector would need to find the entire set to complete the puzzle.
The 1968 Topps test issue is unique compared to other sets, as it is the only set of basketball cards produced by Topps in black and white. The cards were produced in the style of the 1961 Topps Dice Game, which was also never distributed. The 1968 test issue may have been an audition for the NBA, or a practice issue once the league granted Topps a license. The photos on the cards were likely taken by the teams themselves.
The 1968 Topps test issue is highly valuable and sought-after by collectors. A PSA 8-graded card of John Havlicek sold for $6,635.44 at a Mile High Card Company auction. A PSA 8-graded Zelmo Beaty card sold for $940 by Memory Lane Inc. a few years ago. The Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Havlicek cards are particularly desirable.
The 1968 Topps test issue is a mysterious and fascinating part of basketball card history. With its limited production and unique style, it stands out as a rare and valuable collectible.
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The 1968-69 Topps Test set consists of 22 cards
The 1968-69 Topps Test set is a rare and valuable vintage basketball card set. It consists of 22 cards, 15 of which are Hall of Famers, including Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, and Oscar Robertson. The cards are only in black and white, making them stand out compared to other sets. The fronts feature a black-and-white "action" pose of the player, with their name, team, and height listed below the picture. The card backs form a puzzle of Chamberlain.
The 1968-69 Topps Test set is considered a rare test issue, and the low-key styling is not very fancy. It is one of the most elusive specialty releases, making it highly sought-after by collectors. The set is dated 1968-69 because Earl Monroe's first season was 1967-68. However, research by collector and broadcaster Keith Olbermann suggests that the cards were produced in the second half of the 1967-68 season and should carry that date. This is supported by the fact that three of the cards show players on the St. Louis Hawks, who moved to Atlanta for the 1968-69 season.
The 1968-69 Topps Test set is also notable for being the first Topps basketball product since 1957-58. It was a limited test issue, and the cards are standard-sized. The set is highly valuable, with even common players' cards fetching hundreds of dollars in decent condition. For example, a Jerry Sloan card from the Topps Test set with a PSA 8 grade sold for $2,644. Another example is a Topps Test PSA 8 Havlivek card that sold for $6,635.44 at a Mile High Card Company auction.
The 1968-69 Topps Test set is a unique and historic collection of basketball cards, featuring some of the greatest players of all time. It is a highly coveted set among collectors due to its rarity, historical significance, and the illustrious players it features.
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Topps produced cards for all four major sports in 1957
Topps produced its first set of basketball cards in 1957, but only for one season. The company would not produce basketball cards again until 1969. However, in 1957, Topps did produce cards for the three other major North American sports: baseball, ice hockey, and American football.
The 1957 Topps baseball set is considered groundbreaking for several reasons. Firstly, it established the standard size for baseball cards at 2-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches, a size that is still used today. Secondly, Topps used colour photographs on its baseball cards for the first time in 1957, rather than painted black-and-white images. Finally, Topps included full year-by-year career statistics for each player on the reverse of the cards, along with a short biography and a trivia question. The inclusion of statistics on baseball cards fascinated collectors, allowing them to compare players and use the cards as part of imaginary baseball games.
The 1957 Topps baseball set featured 88 cards, including rookie cards for Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Jim Bunning, and Rocky Colavito. The set also included the final card of Roy Campanella before his retirement following a car accident. The cards were packaged with Topps' signature product, bubble gum.
Topps' ice hockey set in 1957 featured players from the four National Hockey League franchises located in the US at the time: the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. In 1958, Topps entered into an agreement with the O-Pee-Chee Company of London, Ontario, to produce NHL and Canadian football cards.
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Frequently asked questions
Oversized basketball cards were produced for about 2 years.
The production of oversized basketball cards began in 1969.
Topps produced oversized basketball cards.
Wilt Chamberlain's rookie card was featured in the oversized basketball card set.
