1969–1972 Topps Basketball: Tall Boys, Standard Cards and the ABA

1969 Topps: the 99-card tall-boy issue

1969 Topps returned with 99 basketball cards measuring 2 1/2 by 4 11/16 inches. Lew Alcindor’s number 25 is a central rookie card, alongside such subjects as Walt Frazier number 98. The elongated player presentation is a defining part of the issue; a standard-size reproduction is not the same physical object.

Plan storage before buying raw examples. An ordinary card sleeve or page can leave the long edge exposed or force a corner into a tight opening. In listing photographs, make sure every edge is visible rather than hidden beneath a holder lip. Inspect the white areas around the oval image for stains and handling marks.

The checklist is card 99, and PSA notes its vulnerable position on the printing sheet. Do not leave it as an afterthought if your aim is a complete unmarked set. A checked example may be perfectly enjoyable, but record that choice explicitly.

1970 Topps: a larger checklist in the same tall format

1970 Topps expands to 175 cards while retaining the tall dimensions. Pete Maravich’s rookie is number 123; Pat Riley appears on number 13. A basketball-shaped panel carries the player identification, helping distinguish this release from the preceding year’s oval design. League leaders open the checklist, and playoff summaries close it.

A set builder should account for the 22 short-printed cards identified by PSA rather than assuming every remaining number will be equally easy to locate. For a smaller collection, a leader card or playoff scene offers a different subject from the individual portraits. Identify that subset in the listing record.

The long card can show bends that are difficult to see head-on. Ask for an angled image if the surface is washed out by glare. Compare the size and complete outline with a known example, and avoid judging centering from an image that has already cropped away the outer border.

1971 Topps: standard size and two leagues

The 1971 issue switches to standard 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch cards and contains 233 subjects. PSA places the NBA portion at numbers 1–144 and the ABA portion at 145–233. Dave Cowens number 47, Bob Lanier number 63 and Rick Barry number 170 are useful reference cards when learning the checklist.

This league split makes a focused NBA or ABA run a clearly defined alternative to the complete set. If a seller describes a collection as complete, ask whether that means both portions. A partial run can still be appealing when its boundaries are stated honestly.

Large team lettering and bright backgrounds are helpful visual identifiers, but confirm the back before assigning a loose card to a year. For paired player collections across 1970 and 1971, choose storage that accommodates both formats without pressing the tall card into a standard slot.

1972 Topps: separate Erving’s main card from his All-Star

1972 Topps contains 264 cards, including Julius Erving’s rookie number 195, Artis Gilmore number 180 and Phil Jackson number 32. Erving also appears on an ABA All-Stars card numbered 255. Both belong to the same issue, but the distinct card numbers and subjects must remain separate in a purchase comparison.

For an Erving-focused collection, the pair provides a useful lesson in checklist reading: the player and year alone do not identify a card. Write down the subset and number before comparing condition or recent sales. For a full set, account for both leagues’ playoff and statistical cards rather than treating them as duplicates of player portraits.

The white border gives a direct way to judge alignment, while the colored backdrop can reveal surface wear. Look for consistent photo detail and inspect the back for marks. Decide whether overall eye appeal or a uniform grade is the priority before assembling a long run.

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