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1960s Topps

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1960s Topps

Despite a brief attempt by Fleer to sign baseball players in 1963, Topps continued its reign as the only major baseball card manufacturer in the United States. On the other hand, Football had more than one professional league in operation, allowing for competing companies to co-exist by producing a major national set for each league. Topps was able to produce National Football League sets from 1960 to 1963 while Fleer issued American Football League sets. Topps then began producing AFL sets from 1964 to 1967 while Philadelphia Gum issued NFL sets. Before the end of the decade Topps revived their basketball issue after a ten-year hiatus. The following is a list with brief descriptions of Topps sports card products for the 1960s. All cards listed are standard size(2½ × 3½ inches). Exceptions are noted.

Contents

Topps also maintained a presence in the foreign card market which began near the end of the 1950s by issuing baseball cards in Venezuela from 1959 to 1968. Topps also maintained licensing agreements with A&BC Chewing Gum in England and O-Pee-Chee in Canada. A&BC Chewing produced an annual (soccer) football set featuring marks and designed featured in Topps baseball and (American) football sets. While hockey cards were produced by Topps up until 1960-61, they were produced and distributed by O-Pee-Chee from 1961-62 onwards (under the Topps license). After a 1967 Topps Test set, the annual hockey series was produced in both Canada (O-Pee-Chee) and USA (Topps) from 1968-69 onwards.

The annual Topps/O-Pee-Chee Canadian football series was printed in USA from 1958 to 1960, then printed in Canada from 1961 to 1965 and 1968 to 1972. That series featured players from the Canadian Football League. Also in the 1960s, O-Pee-Chee produced a baseball series that mimicked Topps baseball (but was printed in Canada) from 1965 onwards.

Base sets

1 Pack type(card quantity)

Canada

From 1965 onwards, the Canadian gum company O-Pee-Chee produced licensed sets basically identical to the Topps set of the same year. The primary difference with the O-Pee-Chee sets is the 'Printed in Canada' statement on the reverse. The copyright line shows T.C.G, and did so until 1972 when it changed to O.P.C. The 1969 O-Pee-Chee set included the company's logo on the reverse and used a magenta ink as opposed to the pink ink on the Topps cards.

Venezuela

During the 1960s, Topps produced Venezuelan sets only in even-numbered years except for 1967. The 1967 Venezuelan set is unique among these in that it features Venezuelan league players along with retired U.S. players in addition to the base set cards.

1960

  • Base set 132 cards (NFL) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Metallic Stickers Inserts 33 stickers Size:  2 1⁄8 ×  3 1⁄16 in (5.4 × 7.8 cm)
  • Topps Tattoos 70 tattoos Size:  1 9⁄16 × 3.5 in (4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Topps CFL 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)

    • 1961

  • Base set 198 cards (NFL/AFL) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Flocked Stickers Inserts 48 cards Size: 2 ×  2 3⁄4 in (5.1 × 7 cm)
  • Topps CFL 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • CFL Transfers 27 cards Size: 2 × 3 in (5.1 × 7.6 cm)

    • 1962

  • Base set 176 cards (NFL) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Bucks Inserts 48 cards Size:  1 1⁄4 ×  4 1⁄4 in (3.2 × 10.8 cm)
  • Topps CFL 169 cards Size:  1 1⁄4 × 2.5 in (3.2 × 6.4 cm)

    • 1963

  • Base set 170 cards (NFL) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Topps CFL 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)

    • 1964

  • Base set 176 cards (AFL) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Pennant Stickers Inserts 24 stickers Size:  2 1⁄8 × 4.5 in (5.4 × 11.4 cm)
  • Topps CFL 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)

    • 1965

  • Base set 176 cards (AFL) Size: 2.5 ×  4 11⁄16 in (6.4 × 11.9 cm)
  • Magic Rub-Off Inserts 36 cards Size: 2 × 3 in (5.1 × 7.6 cm)
  • Topps CFL 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • CFL Transfers 27 cards Size: 2 × 3 in (5.1 × 7.6 cm)

    • 1966

  • Base set 132 cards (AFL) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Funny Rings 24 cards (non-sport) Size:  1 1⁄4 × 3 in (3.2 × 7.6 cm)

    • 1967

  • Base set 132 cards (AFL) Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Comic Pennants 31 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)

    • 1968

  • Base set 219 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Poster Inserts 16 cards Size: 5 × 7 in (12.7 × 17.8 cm)
  • Stand-Ups Inserts 22 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Test Teams 25 cards Size: 2.5 ×  4 11⁄16 in (6.4 × 11.9 cm)
  • Test Team Patches 44 patches Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)

    • 1969

  • Base set 263 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)
  • Four-In-One Inserts 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm) Each of the four is 1 × 1.5 in (2.5 × 3.8 cm).
  • Mini-Albums Inserts 26 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in (6.4 × 8.9 cm)

    • Basketball

    All basketball sets here are of NBA players.
    1968-69 Topps Test
    This test set has 22 cards with black-and-white photos. The player's name and team are at the bottom of the card. The numbered backs are oriented horizontally and combine to form a picture of Wilt Chamberlain. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in. (6.4 × 8.9 cm)

    1969-70 Topps
    This 99 card set issued in 10-card packs was Topps' first major basketball set since 1957. The cards are oversize with player photos in an oval frame. The white borders display sketches of basketball scenes with the player's name and position at the top and team at the bottom. The backs offered career statistics and biographical data along with a small cartoon in the shape of a basketball falling through a hoop. Size: 2.5 ×  4 11⁄16 in. (6.4 × 11.9 cm)

    1969-70 Topps Rulers
    This 23-poster set was issued as an insert in the regular wax packs. The 'rulers' depict a player in a cartoon style drawing next to a vertical ruler which indicates the player's height. The player's name and team are also displayed in a bubble on the front. Size: 2.5 ×  9 7⁄8 in. (6.4 × 25.1 cm)

    Ice hockey

    During the 1960s, Topps and O-Pee-Chee continued their working relationship to produce National Hockey League cards for the Canadian market. In the early 1960s, the O-Pee-Chee sets featured some, but not all of the teams (Topps/O-Pee-Chee held rights for the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, and New York Rangers; Parkhurst held rights for Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs). After Parkhurst stopped producing hockey cards in 1964 (to focus on the company's other endeavors), Topps/O-Pee-Chee held the rights for all the NHL teams.

    Starting in 1961-62, the Topps/O-Pee-Chee cards were printed in Canada. In 1967, Topps produced a test set for the U.S. marketplace (a unique set that featured the 1966-67 design). Then in 1967-68, the Topps/O-Pee-Chee set was the last to feature just six NHL teams and marketed specifically for the Canadian marketplace.

    Starting in 1968-69, Topps and O-Pee-Chee created different sets for their respective markets. The designs for the two sets were similar.

    1960-61

  • Base set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • Stamps (52) Insert set

    • 1961-62

  • Base set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches

    • 1962-63

  • Base set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • Hockey Bucks (24) Insert set Size:  4 1⁄16 ×  1 11⁄16 inches

    • 1963-64

  • Base set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches

    • 1964-65

  • Base set 110 cards Size:  2 1⁄2 ×  4 11⁄16 inches

    • 1965-66

  • Base set 128 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches

    • 1966-67

  • Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
  • USA Test set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches

    • 1967-68

  • Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches

    • 1968-69

  • Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches

    • 1969-70

  • Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches

    • 1960

    Funny Valentines 'A' (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Presidents of the United States (33) Size: 2-11/16 × 2¾ inches
    Popeye Tattoos (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches

    1961

    Crazy Cards (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Giant Size Funny Valentines (55) Size: 2½ × 4¾ inches
    Sports Cars (66+20)Size: 2½ × 4¾/ 1-13/16 × 4¼ inches

    1962

    Casey & Kildare (110) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Civil War News (88) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Famous Americans (80) Size: 1⅜ × 2-9/16 inches
    Foldees (44) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Mars Attacks (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Monster Tattoo (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
    Superman Tattoos (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
    Valentine Stickers (~43) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches

    1963

    Astronauts (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Beverly Hillbillies (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Flag Midgee Cards (99) Size: 1-9/16 × 2½ inches
    Monster Flip Movies (36) Size: 2-7/16 × 2½ inches
    Monster Laffs-Midgee (153) Size: 1-9/16 × 2½ inches
    Valentine Foldees (55) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Walt Disney Characters Tattoos (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches

    1964

    Beatles Black & White (165) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Beatles Color (64) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Beatles Diary (60) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Beatles Movie 'A Hard Days Night' (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Beatles Plaks (55) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Johnson vs. Goldwater (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    John F. Kennedy (77) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Military Emblems (24)
    Nutty Awards (32) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
    Outer Limits (50) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches

    1965

    Battle (66) Size: 2 × 3-5/16 inches

    Standard Emblems (24)

    Daniel Boone (~55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Flash Gordon (24) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Flying Things (~48) Size: irregular
    Gilligan's Island (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Hot Rods (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    King Kong (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Kookie Plaks (88) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Mighty Mouse and His Pals Tattoos (#) Size: 1⅝ × 3½ inches
    Mod Generation Stickers (55) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Monster Greeting Cards (50) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Presidents and Famous Americans (44) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Push-Pull (36) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Rat Fink Greeting Cards (40) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Silly Stickers (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Soupy Sales (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Tom and Jerry Tattoos (#) Size: 1⅝ × 3½ inches
    Ugly Stickers (164) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Wise Guy Buttons (24) Size: 2" diameter

    1966

    Batman (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Batman A (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Batman B (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Batman-Riddler Back (38) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Batman Color Photos (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Comic Book Foldees (44) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Comic Book Foldees Large (43) Size: 3¼ × 6 inches
    Flipper (30) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Flipper's Magic Fish (10) Size: irregular
    Fold-A-Roos (24) Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
    Frankenstein Stickers (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Funny Rings (24) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Get Smart (66)

    Secret Agent Kit (16)

    Green Hornet Stickers (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Insult Post Cards (32) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
    Lost In Space (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Make Your Own Name (33) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Man From U.N.C.L.E. (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Marvel Flyers (12) Size: irregular
    Monster Laffs (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Rat Patrol (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches

    Army Insignia Ring (22)

    Slob Stickers (132) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Superman (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Superman In The Jungle (66) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Ugly Buttons (24) Size: 2" diameter
    Wacky Labels (#) Size: 1⅛ × 2-9/16 inches

    1967

    Angry Stickers (88) Size: 1⅛ × 2-9/16 inches
    Blockheads (12) Size: 7¼ × 8⅝ inches
    Captain Nice (#) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Comic Book Tattoos (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
    Disgusting Disguises (51)
    Doctor Dolittle Tattoos (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
    Dopey Books (42) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Fighter Planes (12) Size: irregular
    Funny Travel Posters (24) Size: 9¾ × 18½ inches
    Krazy Little Comics (16) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Maya (71) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Monkees Flip Movies (16) Size: 2-7/16 × 3½ inches
    Nasty Notes (32) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Nutty Initial Stickers (#) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Phoney Records (40 stickers) Size: 2½ × 2⅝

    Stupid Hit Songs (15) Size: 2½ × 3½ in.

    Phoney Records Stickers (55) Size: 3⅜" square
    Pop-Ups (12) Size: 2-3/16 × 3½ inches year?
    Terror Tales (88) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Toppscience (24) Size: 3 × 6¼ inches
    Wacky Packages Die-Cuts (44)
    Wanted Posters (24) Size: 10 × 18½ inches
    Who Am I? (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches

    1968

    Batty Book Covers (24) Size: 11⅛ × 18¾ inches
    Crazy TV (#) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Fabulous Rock Records (16) Size: 6¾" diameter
    Giant Plaks (50)
    Hang-Ups (18) Size: 9-13/16 × 18⅜ inches
    Julia (33) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Kooky Awards (44)

    Shields (15)

    Krazy People Posters (24) Size: 9¾ × 18½ inches
    Land of the Giants (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Laugh In (77) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches

    Goldie's Laugh-Ons Stickers (24) Size: 1-15/16 × 2-15/16 inches

    Mini Stickers and Nutty Tickets (~32) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches

    Tickets (24) Size: 1¼ × 4¾

    Put-On Stickers (33) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Wise Ties (12) Size: 3¾ × 9½ inches

    1969

    Archie Tattoos (16) Size: 2½ × 3-7/16 inches
    Groovy Stick-Ons (#) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
    Love Initials (84) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Man on the Moon (99) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Mod Squad (55) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Planet of the Apes (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Room 222 (44) Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
    Pak O' Fun (42) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
    Wacky Ads (36) Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches

    Other Sixties Issues

    Astro Boy Tattoos (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
    Bazooka Joe
    Flip-Ups (#) Size: 2 × 2¼ inches
    Magic Funny Fortunes (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
    Magic Tattoos (#) Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
    Real Wood Plaks/Valentine Wood Plaks (~66) Size: 1⅜ × 3½ inches

  • Boyd, Brendan C. et al. (1973). "The great American baseball card flipping, trading, and bubble gum book". Little, Brown-Boston, Massachusetts ISBN 0-316-10429-9
  • Slocum, Frank (1994). "Baseball cards of the sixties: the complete Topps cards, 1960–1969". Simon & Schuster-New York ISBN 0-671-89223-1

    • References

    1960s Topps Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA