The 1970 Topps Big baseball card set is one of the most visually striking and unique issues in the history of modern trading cards. Containing 72 gigantic 3.5″ by 5″ sized cards, the oversized format allowed Topps designers to get truly creative with player photography and graphic design elements. While not a major hit with collectors upon initial release, the 1970 Topps Big set has grown significantly in popularity and demand over the past few decades given its novel size, memorable player images, and historical significance as a bridge between the classic era and the modern age of baseball cards.
The story behind the 1970 Topps Big set dates back to the late 1960s. Seeing broader trends in juvenile product marketing that emphasized larger, eye-catching items, Topps executives greenlit an experiment for 1970 – produce a special baseball card line with unprecedented dimensions. At more than double the size of a standard card, each 1970 Big card allowed for lush, vivid color photos that captured action shots or posed portraits in distinctively bold fashion. The extra real estate facilitated creative graphical touches like embedded team logos, fun facts callouts, or elaborate color blocking elements in card designs.
While considered a risky gamble at the time, the 1970 Topps Big cards were an fascinating first step towards some of the innovative premium and high-end card formats we see today. They combined nostalgia, novelty and an “over-the-top” factor that made them instant collector conversation pieces. Behind-the-scenes, some key names that helped shape the 1970 Topps Big set included creative director Sy Berger as well as lead designer Howard Novick and assistant designer Len Brown. Their goal was to produce cards that popped visually and could be appreciated even decades later.
In terms of content, the 1970 Topps Big set covered all 26 Major League Baseball teams from that season. Roster inclusions ranged from superstar household names to seldom-seen role players and callups. Iconic cards featuring legends like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente and Tom Seaver remain widely recognized today. The real gems for enthusiasts are often obscure depth players who received surprisingly detailed statistical callouts or uniquely candid action shots on their oversized cards. In total, the set documented over 300 individual ballplayers across its 72 cards.
On the collecting front, finding intact examples of 1970 Topps Big cards in pristine condition is no simple feat given the large physical size and 50+ years of wear and tear accrued by most surviving pieces. Forpatient hunters, bargain opportunities can still come up. Meanwhile, rookies and key stars from the set routinely sell for hundreds or even thousands when grades in top-notch Gem Mint 10 condition change hands. Overall value and demand has steadily increased industry-wide thanks to the set’s bold retro aesthetic and lasting novelty appeal amongst both vintage and modern collectors.
While not a chart-topping release of its era, the 1970 Topps Big baseball card set has undoubtedly grown into a true cult favorite and unique piece of sports card lore. Half a century later, it still delights in its grand scale and one-of-a-kind player depictions. For design experimentation, historical significance representing change between eras, and sheer memorable charm – the 1970 Bigs remain a beloved highlight for many collectors. Their oversized impact lives on.
