1977-79 Sportscaster #.05-20 Bobby Hull HOCKEY [printed JAPAN]

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The 1976 Crane football disc set contains 30 cards, actually 3 3/8" diameter discs, including one of only two 1976 issues containing the rookie card of an unknown rookie named Walter Payton. His only other 1976 issue, his 1976 Topps card, sells for over $200 !!!

The set is filled with other stars and Hall-of-Famers including:
Terry Bradshaw,Roger Staubach,Alan Page,Ed Marinaro (more famous as a star actor in the Hill Street Blues TV series ...

A recently discovered version that was inserted into selected packages of Crane potato chips have been found. Franco Harris can only be found in this "product inserted" version of the discs. None of the second version of the discs are considered part of the complete set due to their scarcity.

TOP CARDS: WALTER PAYTON ROOKIE, Franco Harris SHORT PRINT, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach ...

This scarce 72-card test issue set was released with very limited East Coast distribution making them quite scarce.

Officially simply called "Topps Baseball Photos", their serrated or "DECKLED" edge gave them the name they go by today. The 2 7/8" x 5" inch cards were sold in 2 card packs with gum or 3 card packs without for 5 cents.
Click to enlarge Complete Proof Sheet on left
Fronts are similar to b&w Exhibit Postcards from the 50's with photos and facsimile autographs. The backs make this very scarce test issue more interesting ! They feature handwritten script of player's name, team, position & date and location of the photograph as well as a mock newspaper article.

This was Topps 2nd "Deckle Edge" issue, their first being the smaller and more common 1969 Topps Deckle Edge inserts in 1969 Topps packs.

Variations of 1974 Topps Deckle Edge exist, making this issue more fun and challenging to collect. Backs can be found in gray or a much scarcer white. Also, more limited proof versions with non-scalloped edges exist and can be found with and without card numbers.

In 1993 Topps produced a limited number of special factory sets to honor the Colorado Rockies first season. A special gold foil Rockies logo was added to each card.

The initial print run of 5,000 ran out quickly so the Rockies had 5,000 more sets made. Cards were only available as factory sets so singles and team sets are a bit tougher to find.

How long have sports cards been around ? (part 1)

The first baseball trading cards date back to 1869. For many years, baseball cards were packaged in packs of tobacco as a way to increase sales the same way that today prizes are packaged in boxes of cereal. In the 1920's and 1930's, candy and gum companies started packaging baseball cards in their products as well.

Baseball card production was virtually halted in the early 1940's due to paper shortages created by World War II. The "Modern Era" of baseball cards began in 1948 when Bowman Gum Inc. offered one card and one piece of gum in a pack for a penny.

The first important football set was the Mayo set featuring college players in 1984. Other than the 1935 National Chicle set no other key football set was issued until 1948 when noth Bowman and Leaf produced sets.

1977-79 Sportscaster #.05-20 Bobby Hull HOCKEY [printed JAPAN]

1976 Crane Football Discs Cards
Checklist & Values

1974 Topps DECKLE EDGE
Checklist & Values

1993 Topps Inaugural
Colorado Rockies Set

1977-79 Sportscaster #.05-20 Bobby Hull HOCKEY [printed JAPAN]

1976 Crane Football Discs Cards Checklist & Values

1974 Topps DECKLE EDGE Checklist & Values

1993 Topps Inaugural Colorado Rockies Set

1976 Crane Football Discs Cards
Checklist & Values

1974 Topps DECKLE EDGE
Checklist & Values

1993 Topps Inaugural
Colorado Rockies Set