If you had asked me at the beginning of the tournament about the chances of these two sets making it to the final, I probably would have said that '59 has a good shot of making it, but '74 probably wouldn't be able to weed its way through the great sets of the '60s.
Well, here we are, 1974 has made it through and takes on 1959 this week.
This is the first time that I've shown the backs of both sets (which may have been a mistake on my part). Both sets have great looking backs, with bios and cartoons to read and have fun with when I post the cards on the blog.
In the past rounds, I've had 2 or 3 sections of additional information on each set. For the finals, I'm just going to answer one question:
Why I want 1974 Topps to win:
All along, this tournament has been about what set I would build next. The cheapo in me would prefer 1974 because of the lower price tag, along with the fact that I own 40% of the set already. I'm sure that player recognition would also help, as I know a lot more of the players from this set as compared to 1959.
Why I want 1959 Topps to win:
Yes, putting the 1959 set together would be an uphill climb for me, as I only own 10 cards out of the 572 card set. This set has one large advantage over 1974 in my opinion, it's beauty. Yeah, you heard me say it, the 1959 Topps set is a beautiful looking set. It's colorful, the backs are great, and even though it's going to cost me a pretty penny to build, the '59 set would probably teach me a lot about the history of the game.
There you have it friends. Now it's time for you to decide what set I'm going to build next. Spread the word if you can, I'm hoping for lots of votes in the final.
Thank you for reading, Robert
I am voting for 1959 over 1974. I really like both sets a lot, but the clincher for 1959 is the advantage that you pointed out -- it's just an incredibly attractive card. Plus, it will keep you busy for longer!
ReplyDeleteTwo amazing sets. '1959 has some a classic look, as well as classic player within. That being said, I am going to give the nod to 1974. The picture selection in '73 & '74 is some of the finest Topps ever did. While the design is low key, the look on many of the cards seals the deal.
ReplyDeleteYou had to mention the backs. The '74 cartoons are among the best ever, one of the few sets where the cartoons make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteGlad you don't have to collect a stinker. Both sets are great. I'm going to select '74 just because the pictures are more interesting. '59 is very colorful and enjoyable but design kind of limits the cards to not much more than a head shot.
I still really like logos on cards so that's a point in 59's favor. But (risking heresy here) the color border dominates the card too much for me. I've always had a thing for 74, so 74 gets my vote.
ReplyDelete74, again, for me.. i agree the 59 is colorful, but too much border... and im a fan of action shots far more than the posed shots.. backs are about equal in my opinion.. dont much care for the green typeset on the 59s though...
ReplyDeleteI like the 1959 set better. The 1974 set just looks a little too plain for my liking.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jupiterhill. '59 for me as well.
DeleteFor me this decision is coming down to the last thing I expected it to come down to, autograph placement. The 59 set puts its facsimile auto on the front over an already condensed photo. It makes it difficult to read in most cases. The 74 set is innovative and puts the signature on the back with a green background to make it much easier to see. If that Murcer auto was on the front, half of it would be impossible to read due to the black background. I choose 1974.
ReplyDeleteThough I know '74 would be much easier on your wallet, Robert, I still have to go with '59. Aside from '56, it's probably my favorite set of the 1950's.
ReplyDeleteTough choice. Neither is really a fav of mine. I guess I'll vote for '59.
ReplyDeleteTough decision. I have to go with '59.
ReplyDelete1959 has my vote. Having no series as a major flaw for 1974.
ReplyDelete1959
ReplyDelete1974 gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteBoth sets are great, but I've got to go with 1959.
ReplyDeleteI like the '74, I love the '59. It's as simple as that. One vote for the Topps 1959 set.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with the 74T set. The '59 design beats out the '74 set. But I absolutely love some of the action shots in '74 set. Check out the Rollie Fingers, John Curtis, Mike Epstein, Pete Rose, Dave Kingman, Jim Palmer, Dick Green, Ron Cey, Rick Reuschel, Reggie Jackson, Aurelio Rodriguez, Dave Concepcion, Carlton Fisk, Ralph Garr, Harmon Killebrew, Juan Marichal, Paul Lindblad, Blue Moon Odom, Bucky Dent, and Steve Blass cards. Plus there are the cool Hank Aaron tribute cards and the Washington variations.
ReplyDeleteI will go with the 74 set. I like the dual player cards of the ASG starters from the prior year, the Hank Aaron tributes, the fact that this was the first year that Topps issued all of the cards in one series (which makes it a landmark set), and the last card of Willie Mays (he is on a WS highlight card) make this the set that I would complete next.
ReplyDeleteI've voted for 1974 throughout the whole thing, and I'm not about to stop now.
ReplyDeleteThe delegate from Shlabotsylvania casts his vote for 1974!!!!
1959, not my favorite set but I'm in favor of as many people as possible learning more of baseball's history.
ReplyDelete