July 15, 2021: Summer Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2021
Presented are two high-grade examples of a pair of key 1970s Topps basketball issues, the 1973 and 1974 sets, both in a striking overall condition and missing a mere two cards from 1973 and one from 1974. The 1973 entry (262/264) is broadly Ex-Mt to Near-Mint, with a few above and below the range, with the key Hall of Famers and major stars generally falling within the broader condition range and are listed below; the two missing cards are No. 80 Chamberlain and No. 130 Maravich. The 1973 Topps breakdown (keys and condition anomalies): No. 1 Archibald All-Star – VG-Ex, 5 Thurmond – Fair, 10 Frazier All-Star – Excellent, 13 Murphy – VG-Ex, 20 Havlicek All-Star – Near-Mint, 21 Riley – Nr-Mt to Mt, 28 – VG-Ex, 34 – Ex, 43 Hawkins – Nr-Mt, 46 Bellamy – Nr-Mt, 50 Abdul-Jabbar All-Star – Nr-Mt, 70 Robertson – Ex, 75 Mullins – Very Good, 82 Bradley – VG, 90 Barry – VG, 95 Hayes – Ex-Mt-Plus, 100 West All-Star – Nr-Mt to Mt, 105 Reed – Ex, 110 Lanier – Nr-Mt, 121 Checklist – Ex-Mt-Plus, 135 McAdoo Rookie – Nr-Mt, 142 Monroe – VG, 153 – Good, 161 – Good, 178 Unseld – Nr-Mt, 190 – Good, 199 – VG-Ex, 210 Issel All-Star – Ex, 226 – VG-Ex, 240 Erving All-Star – VG-Ex, 242 Checklist – Nr-Mt-Plus, 244 – VG, 252 – VG-Ex, and 262 – VG-Ex. The 1974 near set is in even more imposing condition, essentially Near-Mint to Mint or better, with a few cards reaching Near-Mint and a few below, and no discernible differences between the Tier One Hall of Famers and the lowliest of commons. The cards boast blazing colors and gloss, with super clean card backs with vivid red and blue panels. Perhaps four dozen or so cards have the kind of centering that might prompt thoughts of an upgrade, though not all of those would be severe enough to dictate a formal off-center designation; No. 40 Bing and No. 190 Issel are among five miscut cards. The sole missing card is No. 196 George Gervin Rookie. Breakdown of 1974 Topps (263/264) condition anomalies: No. 100 Havlicek – Near-Mint, 120 Goodrich – Fair, 200 Erving All-Star – Nr-Mt-Plus, 214 – Excellent-Plus o/c, 247 – Ex-Mt, 250 Chamberlain – Ex-Mt and 261 – Fair.
1973 and 1974 Topps Basketball High-Grade Near Sets (2)
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