By the 1970s, Topps had cemented its dominance in the baseball card industry. After outmaneuvering Bowman in 1956, Topps controlled the market for the next two decades, even expanding into other products like tattoos.
The History of Topps Tattoos
Topps introduced its first tattoo set in 1960, featuring legendary names like Mickey Mantle, Early Wynn, and Willie Mays. In 1964, they followed up with another set, adding stars like Carl Yastrzemski, Ernie Banks, and Sandy Koufax.
The third and final tattoo set came out in 1971, boasting a new lineup of Hall of Famers, team logos, and additional artwork.
The 1971 Topps Tattoos Set
The 1971 set includes 16 long sheets of tattoos. Each sheet features six players, two team pennants, five cartoon action shots, and an autographed baseball image. Packs contained one sheet and a stick of bubble gum.
Due to the nature of tattoos, the images on the sheets are inverted. This ensured that when applied to the skin, the tattoos would appear correctly. Nowadays, these collectible tattoos are still inverted, which is a quirky aspect of their charm.
Breaking Down the Sheets
Each wax pack could contain any of the 16 sheets, typically including a mix of major stars and lesser-known players.
Here's a glimpse at some of the sheets:
Sheet 1: Juan Marichal, Brooks Robinson, Sal Bando, Dick Bosman, Nate Colbert, Cleon Jones
Sheet 2: Carl Yastrzemski, Bob Robertson, Glenn Beckert, Tommy Harper, Ken Henderson, Fritz Peterson
Sheet 3: Reggie Jackson, Jim Palmer, Orlando Cepeda, Jim Fregosi, Randy Hundley, Jerry Koosman
Sheet 4: Sam McDowell, Dick Dietz, Clarence Gaston, Dave Johnson, Gary Nolan, Amos Otis
Other notable sheets include:
Sheet 9: Hank Aaron, Jim Hunter, Tommy Agee, Dick McAuliffe, Tony Perez, Lou Piniella
Sheet 10: Roberto Clemente, Thurman Munson, Fergie Jenkins, Tony Conigliaro, Gary Peters, Joe Torre
Sheet 14: Pete Rose, Tom Seaver, Bill Melton, Jim Perry, Maury Wills, Clyde Wright
New York Mets in the 1971 Topps Tattoos Set
Here are the Mets players featured in the 1971 Topps Tattoos set:
Cleon Jones (Sheet 1): A key player for the Mets, Cleon Jones is best known for catching the final out in the 1969 World Series, leading the team to its first championship. An All-Star in 1969, Jones had a batting average of .340 that year, establishing himself as one of the team's standout hitters.
Jerry Koosman (Sheet 3): As a left-handed pitcher, Jerry Koosman played a crucial role in the Mets' success in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He won two games in the 1969 World Series and was a two-time All-Star. Koosman's effective pitching and leadership were vital to the Mets' rotation.
Donn Clendenon (Sheet 6): Acquired by the Mets in 1969, Donn Clendenon was the World Series MVP that year, hitting three home runs and driving in key runs to help the Mets secure their championship. His powerful hitting made an immediate impact on the team's lineup.
Tommie Agee (Sheet 9): Known for his spectacular defensive plays and clutch hitting, Tommie Agee was another hero of the 1969 Mets. His two remarkable catches in Game 3 of the World Series are considered among the best in postseason history. Agee was also an All-Star and Gold Glove winner.
Bud Harrelson (Sheet 13): A dependable shortstop and two-time All-Star, Bud Harrelson was known for his defensive prowess and leadership on the field. He played a significant role in the Mets' 1969 championship team and later became a coach and manager for the team.
Tom Seaver (Sheet 14): Often referred to as "Tom Terrific" or "The Franchise," Tom Seaver is one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. A three-time Cy Young Award winner and twelve-time All-Star, Seaver was the ace of the Mets' pitching staff and a key figure in their 1969 World Series win. His dominance on the mound earned him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Collecting and Valuing the 1971 Topps Tattoos
Valuing this set can be complex due to various collecting approaches. Whether you focus on full sheets or individual panels, prices vary.
Typically, full sheets sell for $20 to $40. For example, a sheet featuring Hank Aaron sold for $39, while another with Rich Allen and Boog Powell went for $18.50. Collecting all 16 sheets could cost around $480.
Graded panels are pricier. For instance, a Roberto Clemente panel in PSA 9 can fetch around $360, while a PSA 8 Thurman Munson averages $125. The scarcity of graded copies, with only 771 known, adds to their value.
Recent eBay sales include a Bud Harrelson PSA 6 for $19.99 and a PSA 1 Willie Stargell for $50. On July 17th, a PSA 5 Roberto Clemente sold for $158.
For collectors, buying raw sheets and grading them might be a practical approach, although high grades are rare. Alternatively, collecting full sheets can be more economical and less hassle.
Happy collecting!
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