July 15, 2021: Summer Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2021
Presented is an outstanding array of the iconic 1970 Topps Basketball issue, the company’s second “Tall Boys” effort in as many years that yielded perhaps the most ostentatiously colorful set in Topps’ fabled history, a nuance heightened by the oversized 2 ½-by-4 11/16-inch cards. In addition to the high-grade near set, a vast array of extras includes an incredible Hall of Fame lineup (23), often with significant duplication of many of the top stars of the era. The offered near set (157/175) is in essentially Near-Mint to Near-Mint to Mint condition, with a few below and with simply stunning color and gloss; card backs are similarly notable, with remarkably crisp orange spot-color panels contrasting with snow-white backgrounds. There is no discernible difference in condition between the top Hall of Famers and stars to the lowliest of commons, an assessment that applies equally to the extras (133) as well. The missing cards from the set (18) include: No. 4, 6, 13, 21, 23, 31, 32, 36, 48, 70, 78, 86, 95, 104, 114, 133, 139 and 153. The breakdown of keys from the duplicates (133): No. 20 Monroe (3), 30 Hudson (3), 46 Lucas (3), 90 Thurmond (3), 101 Checklist (5), 107 West All-Star (2), 112 Havlicek All-Star (3), 113 Baylor All-Star (2), 123 Maravich (2 total in this lot, with one in EX and EX-NM with registration issues), 125 Bing (4), 130 Hawkins (3), 150 Reed (2) and 160 West (2).
1970 Topps Basketball High-Grade Near Set and Extras (290)
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