Kristian Ferrell
The 1969 Topps Basketball Card set consists of 99 tall boy cards, each measuring 2-1/2 by 4-11/16. Sold in 10-card packs, the cards were issued as a single series, with a checklist. The set also included 23 ruler cards, each measuring 2-1/2 by 9-7/8. These ruler cards featured a unique design with a bright and colorful player caricature next to a standard ruler highlighting the player's height.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cards | 99 |
| Type | "Tall boy" cards |
| Dimensions | 2-1/2" by 4-11/16" |
| Sold in | 10-card packs |
| Card #25 | Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar |
| Other notable rookies | #10 Nate Thurmond, #15 Connie Hawkins, #20 John Havlicek, #43 Bill Bradley, #45 Jerry Lucas, #60 Willis Reed, #75 Elvin Hayes, #80 Earl Monroe, #98 Walt Frazier |
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What You'll Learn
The 1969 Topps basketball card measures 2 1/2 by 4 11/16
The unique size of the 1969 Topps basketball cards is not without its challenges. The sheer size of the cards makes them more difficult to find in good condition, as there is more surface area to protect and preserve. Additionally, proper storage pages or cases were not available at the time to accommodate their dimensions. As a result, these cards are quite rare and highly sought after by collectors.
The 1969 Topps basketball cards stand out not only for their size but also for their design. The cards feature extra-large photos that sometimes extend beyond the backgrounds. The players are depicted inside an oval-shaped frame, with their heads occasionally peeking out over the top line. Each corner of the card showcases a basketball player silhouette in black ink. The cards also include rebellious elements, such as the absence of team logos and players wearing their jerseys backward due to licensing issues.
The 1969 Topps basketball card set is highly valued by collectors for its rarity, unique design, and the notable players it features. The set includes rookies who would go on to become basketball legends, such as Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Dave Bing, Earl Monroe, and many others. The combination of its impressive size, memorable design, and historic player roster makes the 1969 Topps basketball card a sought-after collectible item.
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The set includes 99 tall boy cards
The 1969 Topps Basketball Card set includes 99 "tall boy" cards, each measuring 2-1/2" by 4-11/16". The cards were sold in packs of 10, with each pack containing a "basketball ruler", which meant that a collector would get 1/10th of the set in a single wax pack. The set was issued as a single series, with a checklist. This was the first national basketball card set in 8 years, and 12 years since Topps issued a set, so the majority of players were making their first appearance on a basketball card.
The set is anchored by Wilt Chamberlain (#1), Oscar Robertson (#50), and Jerry West (#90), as well as a host of rookie stars. These rookies included Nate Thurmond (#10), Connie Hawkins (#15), John Havlicek (#20), Lew Alcindor (#25), who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Elgin Baylor (#35), Bill Bradley (#43), Jerry Lucas (#45), Wes Unseld (#56), Elvin Hayes (#75), Earl Monroe (#80), Dave DeBusschere (#85), and Walt Frazier (#98).
The unique design of the cards features a posed in-action shot set within a colour oval. The remainder of the white-bordered card includes the athlete's name and position stacked at the top edge and the team name at the bottom edge.
The checklist card (#99) is particularly rare and difficult to find in high-grade condition. This is because it was printed at the bottom right corner of the production sheet, making it more susceptible to wear and tear.
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The cards were sold in packs of 10
The 1969 Topps Basketball Card set consists of 99 "tall boy" cards, measuring 2-1/2" by 4-11/16". The cards were sold in packs of 10, with an inserted "basketball ruler", allowing collectors to get 1/10th of the set in a single wax pack.
The 1969-70 Topps Basketball Card set was issued as a single series, with a checklist. It was the first national basketball card set in 8 years, and the majority of the players were making their first appearance on a card.
Each card features a posed in-action shot set within a colour oval. The remainder of the white-bordered card includes the athlete's name and position at the top edge, and the team name at the bottom.
The "basketball ruler" cards were also designed to be inserted into the regular 1969-70 packs (one each). These cards measure 2-1/2" by 9-7/8" and feature a bright and colourful player caricature next to a standard ruler design, showcasing the player's height.
Collectors could expect to find one "ruler" card in each pack of 10, meaning that a full set of 99 cards would require the purchase of 10 packs.
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The set features Lew Alcindor, who changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The 1969-70 Topps Basketball Card Set features 99 "tall boy" cards, measuring 2½" by 4 11/16". The cards were sold in 10-card packs and issued as a single series, with a checklist. Notably, this was the first national basketball card set in 8 years, and the majority of the players featured were making their first appearance on a basketball card.
One of the most notable rookies in the set is Lew Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Alcindor was featured on card #25. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, winning three consecutive national championships under head coach John Wooden. Alcindor was a record three-time most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament. He was drafted with the first overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA draft. After leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 1971, he announced that he wanted to be called by his Muslim name, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which roughly translates to "noble one, servant of the Almighty".
Abdul-Jabbar went on to have a highly successful career in the NBA. He spent six seasons with the Bucks, during which he won his first MVP award and led the team to their first NBA championship. In 1975, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played the final 14 seasons of his career. During his time with the Lakers, the team won five NBA championships. Abdul-Jabbar became widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, breaking the NBA's career scoring record in 1984. In addition to his success on the court, Abdul-Jabbar also pursued other endeavours, including acting, coaching, writing, and martial arts.
Lew Alcindor, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is undoubtedly one of the standout players featured in the 1969-70 Topps Basketball Card Set. His appearance in the set marked the beginning of a remarkable career that would see him achieve greatness both on and off the court.
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Other rookies include Bill Bradley, John Havlicek, and Walt Frazier
The 1969 Topps basketball cards measure 2½" by 4 11/16" and were sold in 10-card packs. They were the first national basketball card set in 8 years, and the majority of the players were making their first appearance on a card.
Among the notable rookies in the 1969 Topps set were Bill Bradley, John Havlicek, and Walt Frazier. William Warren "Bill" Bradley (b. July 28, 1943) played forward and guard for the New York Knicks for ten years, winning the NBA Finals twice during his time with the team (in 1970 and 1973). After his basketball career, Bradley was elected the United States Senator for New Jersey, serving for 18 years, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
John J. "Hondo" Havlicek (b. April 8, 1940) was a three-sport athlete in high school and won the 1960 NCAA National Basketball Championship with Ohio. He played for the Celtics, winning eight NBA Championships with the team. He was selected for 13 All-Star games and was named to the NBA's All-Time Fifty Greatest Player list in 1996. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Walt "Clyde" Frazier Jr. (b. March 29, 1945) played for the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers during his 13-season career. He guided the Knicks to their only two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973 and was a member of four All-NBA First Teams and two All-NBA Second Teams. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987 and named to the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1969 Topps basketball card measures 2-1/2" by 4-11/16".
There are 99 "tall boy" cards in the 1969 Topps basketball set.
Some of the notable players featured in the 1969 Topps basketball card set include Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul Jabbar), Nate Thurmond, Connie Hawkins, John Havlicek, and Jerry West.
