The 1970 baseball card season was unique time in the history of the hobby. After decades of domination by Topps, the baseball card market was about to undergo significant changes that would forever alter the landscape. In 1970, Topps faced competition for the first time from rival card maker Fleer.
Topps had been the sole issuer of major league baseball cards since it acquired the license in 1954 from Bowman Gum. For over 15 years, Topps reigned supreme with the exclusive right to produce gum- and candy-backed cards that captured the likes of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Sandy Koufax. However, Fleer began plotting a challenge to Topps’ stronghold. Despite warnings it would be sued into bankruptcy, Fleer moved forward with plans to produce its own set of cards without licenses from the players depicted or Major League Baseball.
Fleer’s bold gamble paid off as their 1970 cards featuring the first “Bomanized” photo of each player on the front became a hot commodity among collectors. Fleer’s creativity and competing product line forced Topps to respond with new designs and photo variations of its own to maintain consumer interest. Although Topps won an injunction against Fleer for 1971, the damage was done as the monopoly had been broken. From that point on, Topps would face competition on an annual basis from Fleer and soon other manufacturers like Donruss.
For collectors today, 1970 Topps and Fleer cards hold a special fascination as representations of the transitional year that birthed the modern baseball card industry. Whether in unopened wax packs or individually, 1970s cards remain a major area of focus for vintage collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key aspects that make 1970 such an iconic vintage in unopened form:
Rarity – With two prominent manufacturers in the mix for the first time, production of 1970 Topps and Fleer cards was significantly higher than previous years which saw mostly just Topps available. However, 50 years of natural pack/case breakage has thinned the surviving supply. Unopened 1970 wax boxes and factory/team sets in the original packaging are exceedingly rare finds today.
Condition Sensitivity – Given the age, even factory sealed 1970 packs found today often endured storage conditions compromising the fragility of the thin cardboard and cellophane overwrap. Tiny punctures or creases that don’t impair the cards can still hurt a pack’s condition grade and value. This makes pristine examples especially desirable to discerning collectors.
First Year Phenoms – The 1970 rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Reggie Jackson, and Thurman Munson hold exalted status. Finding their cardboard debuts still locked away in fresh packs adds immense thrill and financial potential for investors. Each brand also included other future stars in their initial season like Bobby Grich and Don Sutton.
Fun Factors – Outside obvious investment merits, unopened 1970 packs preserve a tangible connection to a special period in history. From the classic tobacco-colored cardboard to nostalgic design nuances, they transport collectors of all ages back to the baseball card boom era. Few things in the hobby can rival discovery of a “hit” packed away for five decades.
In summary, 1970 Topps and Fleer cards were harbingers of the golden age soon to follow. Their unopened packaging represents the final untouched remnants of a watershed transition point. Thanks to factors like rarity, condition sensitivity, and presence of coveted rookie cards, 1970 wax remains a treasure highly sought after by savvy vintage collectors. After surviving closed for half a century, their factory seals continue safeguarding treasures of the past with eyes towards an exciting future unlocking untold surprises from baseball’s most innovative year.
