1967 Topps

FEATURES

Focusing more on player image and less on design, 1967 Topps utilized a more vintage look in this collection of cards. On the card fronts, there are no longer text boxes, but rather, the player’s name and team is meshed into the player’s image, placing more attention on the photo. Implementing colored block text for the team name also emphasizes the team without drawing the focus away from the player. Another important feature on the card fronts are reproduced player signatures. There is also a dot to be noticed between the player’s name and their position that was later removed. One new feature in the 1967 set is the checklist cards, which changed from a regular checklist to head images of top players. On the card backs, the seasonal statistics are displayed in a vertical orientation, while leaving enough space for a paragraph and a cartoon. The background of the card backs, however, adds to the cards’ sensitivity as it is lime green and easily shows damage.

SET SERIES & SUBSETS

Series One (cards 1-370)
Series Two (cards 371-457)
Series Three (cards 458-533)
Series Four (cards 534-609)
World Series Highlights (cards 151-155)
League Leaders (233-244)

KEY CARDS

In the 1967 set, the subsets are extremely popular with collectors. Card numbers 151-155 include the World Series Highlights, while cards 233-244 consist of the League Leaders. The rookies are also in high demand with collectors where most are located on the multi-player Rookie Star cards. In the high-number series, the rookies, Tom Seaver and Rod Carew can be found, and at high value. In the final series, Hall of Fame cards also represent a significantly high worth.

SET ODDITIES

While most cards in the set have a reproduced signature, the card of Milt Pappas (254) excludes the autograph completely. Another error occurs in card number 47, which includes a photo of James Murray rather than the intended player, George Kornice. There are also oddities associated with the cards of Ed Spiezio and Roger Maris; one highly sought-after card worth a significant amount is that of Spiezio, where part of his name is omitted. The card of Roger Maris also holds considerable value; moving from the Yankees to the Cardinals, his primary card displays “Cards” on the front. Many copies with the Yankees, however, have also been found.

SIGNIFICANCE

Surpassing the 600-card mark, the 1967 Topps set expanded to a total of 609 cards. With the rookie cards of Rod Carew and Tom Seaver, combined with the simple yet attractive design, 1967 Topps is considered to be one of the greatest card sets to be released in that decade.