Tag Archives: 1968

1968 TOPPS GAME BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE

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The 1968 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the vintage baseball card era. Produced during one of the most turbulent years in American history, the 1968 cards captured iconic players and memorable moments from that baseball season. While not the most valuable set overall, certain high-grade rookie and star cards from the 1968 Topps set can still fetch impressive prices today for dedicated collectors.

The 1968 Topps set consists of 714 total cards issued in wax packs. The design featured color photos of players on a white background with team logos at the top. Standout rookies included future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver. Other young stars like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Roberto Clemente also highlighted the set. The 1968 season was the “Year of the Pitcher” which saw dominant performances by pitchers like Bob Gibson and Denny McLain.

In well-centered, perfectly cut mint condition (graded Gem Mint 10), the most valuable cards in the 1968 Topps set are:

Reggie Jackson rookie (card #650) – Graded Gem Mint 10 values range from $15,000-$25,000 depending on auction. High demand for Mr. October’s first card keeps prices strong.

Tom Seaver rookie (card #250) – Another must-have for vintage collectors. Seaver rookie Gems have sold for as much as $20,000. Expect to pay $10,000-$15,000 currently.

Nolan Ryan rookie (card #527) – Not quite as coveted as the Jackson or Seaver, but still a key rookie. Mint Nolan Ryan rookies sell in the $3,000-$5,000 range.

Hank Aaron (card #1) – The face of the 1968 set. Aaron’s impressive career stats make his commons cards quite collectible too. A true gem mint Hank Aaron can bring $2,000-$3,000.

Willie Mays (card #12) – One of the all-time greats in any sport. High grade Mays cards hold value well at $1,500-$2,500 for a pristine example.

In addition to the above near-mint to mint cards, there are several others that command four-figure prices in high grades:

Roberto Clemente (card #28) – Tragic ending but Hall of Fame career. $1,000-$1,500 range.

Bob Gibson (card #99) – 1968 ERA leader. $800-$1,200.

Denny McLain (card #234) – 31 win season in ’68. $600-$900.

Don Drysdale (card #56) – Dominant Dodgers ace. $500-$800.

Juan Marichal (card #205) – Crafty Giants legend. $400-$600.

Moving to the more common near-mint to excellent condition (Graded EX-MT 8), prices fall but many key cards still hold value:

Reggie Jackson rookie – $1,000-$2,000

Tom Seaver rookie – $500-$1,000

Nolan Ryan rookie – $200-$400

Hank Aaron – $100-$200

Willie Mays – $75-$150

Roberto Clemente – $50-$100

Bob Gibson – $30-$60

Denny McLain – $20-$40

Don Drysdale – $15-$30

Juan Marichal – $10-$20

In overall very good to fine condition (Graded VG-FN 6), most 1968 Topps commons can be acquired for $1-5. Top rookies may run $10-25 and true stars $5-15. For beginning collectors, building a common set in average circulated condition can be done for well under $100 total.

The 1968 Topps set remains a highly collectible issue from the vintage era. Perfectly centered gem mint examples of star rookies like Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver can bring impressive five-figure prices. But there are also many affordable options across all value grades to build a set of a memorable and historically significant year in baseball card history.

BASEBALL CARDS 1968 VALUE

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The 1968 baseball card season marked a transitional year in the hobby. Top rookie cards like Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver debuted, while stars of the 1960s like Willie Mays and Sandy Koufax entered the twilight of their careers. Understanding the landscape of 1968 and what made certain cards more valuable than others provides collectors with important context.

The late 1960s was a period of cultural upheaval and social change in America. In the midst of the Vietnam War and civil rights movement, interest in traditional pastimes like baseball cards began to wane among the younger generation. Total baseball card production fell compared to the mid-1960s peak, with fewer sets printed and distributed that year.

Topps remained the dominant brand but faced new competition. Fleer released its second baseball card set in 1968 while Philadelphia Gum Company issued its lone series. Neither came close to Topps in terms of distribution and recognition. As a result, Topps cards from 1968 overwhelmingly retain the highest values today.

Within the 1968 Topps set, the most coveted rookie card is future Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, known as “Mr. October” for his clutch postseason heroics. In gem mint condition, his rookie fetches upwards of $10,000. This is largely due to his iconic career and status as one of the game’s all-time great sluggers.

Another valuable rookie is fireballing pitcher Tom Seaver, who burst onto the scene in 1967 by winning Rookie of the Year and would go on to claim three Cy Young Awards. Seaver’s is regarded as one of the finest pitching careers in baseball history. His 1968 Topps rookie has a near-mint value of roughly $3,000-5,000.

Stars of the 1960s also hold value, especially in high grades. A Mickey Mantle in mint condition can sell for over $1,000 while a Willie Mays tops $500. However, 1968 marked Mantle’s final season while Mays was in his late 30s, so their cards don’t command the same prices as they did a decade prior.

Conversely, rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Nolan Ryan and Carlton Fisk have more modest values of $150-300. This is because they hadn’t achieved their legendary status yet. It wasn’t until later in their careers that collectors fully appreciated their greatness retroactively.

Beyond the biggest stars and rookies, there were several noteworthy short prints and variations that add premiums to 1968 Topps cards. The most significant is the Mickey Mantle short print #257, which has an estimated popuation under 10% of the base card. Graded mint, it can sell for $3,000 or more.

Other valuable variations include the Carl Yastrzemski error card #397, which shows his team incorrectly as the “Red Sox” instead of “Boston.” This error along with the Mickey Mantle short print are among the most coveted cards in the set for advanced collectors. Condition is also critical, as even top cards lose value with creases, corners bumps or centering issues.

While interest and production declined overall in 1968, it was still a major year for the hobby. Top rookies like Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver established enduring legacies, while stars of the past like Mantle and Mays neared retirement. For collectors, understanding the context and nuances of 1968 makes appreciating its cards much more meaningful. Although prices have risen tremendously since the late 1960s, this vintage set remains one of the most iconic in baseball history.

1968 OPC BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1968 OPC baseball card set was truly unique in the history of the hobby. While it may not be the most famous or valuable set of the era, it provides a fascinating window into the sport during one of its most turbulent and transitional seasons.

Issued by the Ontario-based O-Pee-Chee company in 1968, the 582-card OPC set featured a mix of action photos, posed portraits, and creative theme cards not seen before or since. It came during a period of immense social upheaval and change in North America. On the field, iconic stars like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Sandy Koufax were still in their prime, while young talents like Bob Gibson, Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver began emerging. Behind the scenes, players were starting to demand more respect and pay from owners.

The 1968 season itself was bookended by huge events. In the spring, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, leading to riots and protests across the US. That fall, presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was also killed. The Vietnam War was engulfing the nation as well. Against this tumultuous backdrop, the ’68 season became a turning point for the sport. For the first time, divisional playoffs and League Championship Series were introduced, doubling the postseason.

As for the cards themselves, they had several distinct attributes that remain memorable. Rather than a single posed shot of each player, many cards deployed creative two-image formats showing the athletes in different poses or stances. In some cases, one picture would depict a batting or fielding pose while the other captured the subject smiling and waving. This dual-image style added visual interest that matched the dynamic era.

A subset featured cards honoring the past, present and future “Stars of Baseball.” These included legendary players like Babe Ruth, Stan Musial and Ted Williams displayed alongside the games brightest young stars. Another subset saluted the relatively new divisional format, with cards spotlighting the contenders from each of baseball’s four divisions at the time. These subsets helped bring together different eras of the sport within a single set.

What truly sets the 1968 OPC issue apart though are the dazzlingly inventive theme cards. Several broke the traditional mold by integrating collages, drawings and poetic verse related to baseball. One card featured an outer-space themed illustration surrounded by stats and facts about astronaut Jim Lovell, who had cited his love of the Cubs during the Apollo 8 mission. Another used drawings to encapsulate the history and heroes from each league over the prior century of play.

Possibly the most renowned (and valuable) theme card was “The Gentle Man – Bob Gibson.” Over a portrait of the Cardinals ace, it included a warm character profile and tribute penned by writer Jerry Doggett. Gibson’s dominance on the mound that year, culminating in a razor-sharp 1.12 ERA and 13 shutouts, only amplified how this special card captured the soul of the sport during a period of deep change.

While production values and photo quality were still developing compared to modern standards, these imaginative OPC cards reflected baseball’s ability to both uphold tradition yet also reinvent itself during unprecedented societal upheaval. For collectors and historians alike, flipping through the 582 baseball bios preserves a microcosm of America and its beloved pastime in the turbulent late 1960s. Almost miraculously, in the midst of such disorder, the national sport continued to bring moments of joy and escape. The 1968 OPC set reminds us of those redeeming aspects of baseball’s power and helps explain why its allure remains as timeless as the game itself.

1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 53

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The 1968 Topps baseball card #53 features future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Born in 1934 in Puerto Rico, Clemente rose to international fame as one of baseball’s first Latino superstars. By 1968, he was already a 12-year Major League veteran and one of the game’s top all-around players.

The 1968 season would be Clemente’s 15th in the big leagues, all spent with Pittsburgh. He was already a 12-time Gold Glove Award winner, 4-time National League batting champion, and the NL’s MVP in 1966. In 1967, Clemente led the Pirates to the World Series title, winning the Series MVP award. His career batting average stood at a robust .317 through 1967.

On the 1968 Topps card, Clemente is shown standing with a bat resting on his shoulder, glaring confidently at the camera with his Pirates road uniform numbers “21” clearly visible. He had an intense, determined facial expression that captured his fiery competitive spirit that drove him to annual excellence. The bold yellow and black Pirates colors pop vividly on the card.

The stats listed on the reverse of the #53 card reflected Clemente’s consistently elite production. Through 1967, he had amassed 1704 hits, 162 home runs, 730 RBI and a .317 batting average. Defensively, his fielding percentages in the outfield were among the best in the game year after year, highlighting his reputation as a five-tool superstar who could do it all on the field.

For the 1968 season itself, the 34-year-old Clemente turned in yet another outstanding campaign. He batted .331 with 13 HRs and 79 RBI, leading the Pirates back to the World Series. There, Clemente excelled once more against St. Louis, batting .357 with a home run as Pittsburgh repeated as champs. His leadership and clutch performances were a big reason the Pirates dynasty of the late 1960s succeeded.

Tragically, Clemente would be killed in a plane crash on December 31, 1972 while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was just 38 years old. At the time of his sudden death, Clemente was still considered one of the game’s top players – he batted .312 with 16 HRs and 60 RBI in 1972, his final season.

Clemente’s remarkable career and premature death cemented his legacy as not just a great ballplayer but also a tireless humanitarian who worked tirelessly to help Latino communities both in America and abroad. He became the first Latin American player voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in 1973. Remarkably, the vote to induct Clemente was unanimous – a testament to the enormous respect he had earned across the baseball world.

Over the ensuing decades, Clemente’s 1968 Topps card has taken on added historical significance. It captures Clemente in his prime at age 34, still thriving as the heart and soul of the Pirates franchise. The card serves as a visual reminder of Clemente’s unique talent, determination, leadership and Latin American heritage – all qualities that broke barriers and expanded the game’s popularity internationally during baseball’s segregation era.

In the half-century since its original release, Clemente’s ’68 Topps card has become one of the most iconic and valuable in the entire collection. Its subject’s Hall of Fame career, tragic death and pioneering role make it an important cultural artifact commemorating not just Clemente the ballplayer, but the man himself – an inspirational figure who transcended sports with his character and commitment to social justice. For baseball fans and collectors alike, the 1968 Topps Roberto Clemente card endures as a treasure commemorating a true legend of the national pastime.

BASEBALL CARDS FROM 1968

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Baseball cards from 1968 provide a fascinating glimpse into the game and players from that era. 1968 was a pivotal year for both the country and Major League Baseball, with social change sweeping America and new stars emerging on the diamond. The 1968 baseball card set was also notable for several reasons within the collecting hobby.

Released by Topps, the 1968 set featured 656 total cards including career statistics on the back of each player card. Some of the biggest stars of that time like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Sandy Koufax continued dominating on the field. But new young talents were also making names for themselves. One of the most coveted rookie cards from 1968 was that of Reggie Jackson of the Athletics. Only in his second season, “Mr. October” was already showing signs of the prolific home run hitter he would become. Other top rookies finding their way into the set included pitchers Vida Blue of the A’s and Jon Matlack of the Mets.

Culturally, 1968 was a year of social and political upheaval in the United States. The Vietnam War was raging, the civil rights movement was in full swing, and social progressivism was sweeping college campuses. In baseball, African American and Latino players were continuing to make greater strides and shatter racial barriers. Stars like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente were not only among the game’s best players but also influential role models. The 1968 cards reflected baseball’s growing cultural impact and the increasing diversity within the sport.

The 1968 Topps set also saw the debut of team logos on the front of cards for the very first time. Previously, team names had been spelled out. Logos helped make the cards instantly identifiable and were a sign of the increasing professionalization of baseball card design. Topps also introduced the “Traded” subset which featured players who had been dealt to new teams since the previous season’s cards. This was an early recognition of the importance of tracking player movement between franchises.

One of the most iconic cards from the 1968 Topps set is the Nolan Ryan rookie. Considered one of the most valuable baseball cards ever printed, it features the hard-throwing righty as a member of the New York Mets early in his Hall of Fame career. Ryan would go on to rack up a record 7 no-hitters and strike out over 5,000 batters. His rookie card from this set is one of the most sought after by collectors. Other notable high-value cards include the Reggie Jackson rookie and a very rare Mickey Mantle card variation featuring an error in the team name font.

In terms of player and team performance, 1968 was a breakthrough season for the Detroit Tigers and their young stars Denny McLain, Willie Horton, and Al Kaline. McLain became the first pitcher since 1956 to win 30 games in a season on his way to the AL MVP and Cy Young awards. The St. Louis Cardinals continued their dominance in the National League behind Bob Gibson and Orlando Cepeda. And the Cardinals would go on to defeat the Tigers in a thrilling 7-game World Series.

For baseball card collectors and fans, the 1968 Topps set endures as a snapshot of a pivotal time for the game. Players like Reggie Jackson, Nolan Ryan, and future Hall of Famers in their prime graced the cardboard. The cards also reflected changes in society and the growing diversity within Major League rosters. Over 50 years later, cards from this vintage set remain some of the most popular and valuable in the entire hobby. They provide a memorable look back at baseball, culture, and collectibles during a defining year.

BEST 1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1968 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the history of the hobby. With 714 total cards, the ’68 Topps release featured many of the game’s biggest stars and future Hall of Famers. Below we’ll take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and desirable cards from the 1968 Topps set.

One of the true gems of the 1968 set is the Hank Aaron rookie card (card #1). Aaron would go on to break Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record and end his career with 755 dingers. His rookie is one of the most sought after in the hobby due to his legendary career and status as one of the greatest right-handed hitters ever. High grade Aaron rookies can fetch tens of thousands of dollars. Even well-worn low-grade examples still trade hands for thousands.

Another huge star with a highly coveted rookie in the 1968 set is Reggie Jackson (card #591). “Mr. October” smashed 563 home runs over his 21 year career and earned World Series MVP honors three times. He was a five-tool star and one of the most feared sluggers of his generation. Jackson’s rookie card has appreciating greatly over the past decade. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $100,000, with lower graded copies still valued from $5,000-$15,000 depending on condition.

Two other Hall of Fame rookie cards that are must-owns for serious ’68 Topps collectors are Johnny Bench (card #310) and Tom Seaver (card #250). Bench would go on to win two MVPs as arguably the greatest catcher in baseball history while Seaver racked up 311 career wins and three Cy Young awards. High grade examples of both rookies can reach the $10,000+ range. Even well-worn copies still trade in the $1,000s.

While not rookies, the 1968 cards of pitching legends Sandy Koufax (card #12) and Don Drysdale (card #13) are also extremely valuable. Koufax’s career was cut short due to injury but his run in the early-to-mid 1960s makes him one of the most dominant pitchers ever. Drysdale had great success as his battery mate on those legendary Dodgers teams. Both cards typically sell for $500+ even in low grades due to their iconic status from that era.

A few other big stars with valuable ’68 Topps cards include Willie Mays (card #7), one of the all-time greats in all of sports. Even in low grades, the Say Hey Kid’s issue easily fetches $100+. Fellow Giants legend Juan Marichal’s card (card #226) also commands $100+ across all grades. Los Angeles Angels slugger Jim Fregosi’s card (card #477) holds value around $100-200 due to his status as the team’s first true star. His card is a hot commodity for Angels collectors.

Two rookie cards that are undervalued compared to their true on-field impact are Lou Brock (card #468) and Bob Gibson (card #562). Brock would go on to steal over 900 bases in his career while Gibson won two World Series MVPs and posted a mind-blowing 1.12 ERA during the 1968 season en route to the NL MVP and Cy Young. Both rookies can often be acquired for $50-100, a relative bargain compared to their place among the all-time greats.

In terms of true key cards that can return huge profits with the right grades, the 1968 Topps issue of Nolan Ryan (card #593) may have the most upside. Ryan racked up a record 7 no-hitters and 5,714 strikeouts in his Hall of Fame career. His rookie card has exploded in the PSA/BGS population, with Gem Mint 10s now selling for $15,000+. Even well-centered near-Gems in the PSA 8-9 range have eclipsed $1,000. With so few high grade Ryan rookies in existence, this one remains a true blue chip investment card for savvy collectors.

The 1968 Topps set remains a cornerstone of the vintage baseball card market. Loaded with future Hall of Famers and some of the game’s all-time biggest stars, key cards from this issue will always be in high demand. For the true aficionado looking to build an iconic collection, targeting gems of Aaron, Bench, Seaver, Ryan and more from the ’68 Topps set presents an opportunity to acquire true pieces of baseball history. Graded examples of these rookies and star cards will continue appreciating for decades to come.

MILTON BRADLEY BASEBALL CARDS 1968

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The 1968 Milton Bradley baseball card set marked an important transition year for the popular card manufacturer. While Milton Bradley had been producing baseball cards since the early 1950s, the 1968 set would be one of the last issued before Topps dominated the market for several decades. The 1968 Milton Bradley cards remain a favorite among collectors today due to their classic designs and significance in the history of the hobby.

Some background – Milton Bradley began making baseball cards in 1950 as a competitor to the dominant Bowman brand. They issued full-size cards annually through 1962 then switched to mini-cards from 1963-1967. The mini-card designs never gained much traction with collectors. For 1968, Milton Bradley returned to the standard 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches size that is still used today.

The 1968 set includes 134 total cards featuring players, managers, and umpires from both the American and National Leagues. Some of the star players featured include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle, and Sandy Koufax. The cards have a clean and classic design with a black-and-white photo on the front and player stats like batting averages on the back. Unlike some contemporaries, Milton Bradley kept statistics and photographer credits off the front of the cards for a cleaner look.

In terms of production, the 1968 Milton Bradley cards were printed using a unique process compared to rivals like Topps. MB cards had a special linen finish on the front that gave them a distinctive smoothness different from the stockier cardboard stocks of the time. This linen finish is one reason 1968 MB cards have aged very well compared to some other 1960s issues.

While they didn’t receive much attention upon initial release, the 1968 Milton Bradley baseball cards have grown in popularity with collectors in recent decades. The clean designs, unique linen finish, and historical significance make them a desirable vintage issue. In the early 1970s, Topps solidified its monopoly of the baseball card market and Milton Bradley’s series ended. This makes their 1968 set one of the final mainstream baseball card releases from the brand.

For collectors, finding high-grade 1968 Milton Bradley cards today can be a challenge. As they weren’t the highest print run of the period either. Enthusiasts still seek raw copies to collect as well as higher graded gems. Common players may sell for around $10-15 in Excellent condition while true stars can reach $100 or more if carefully preserved. The set has retained significant collector interest versus other contemporary brands of similar production dates.

In addition to individual cards, the 1968 Milton Bradley baseball card set is still offered intact in factory sets over 50 years later. These sealed wax packs and factory boxes containing the full 134-card lineup remain highly prized. Even partially complete sets attract attention. For serious vintage collectors, acquiring a high-quality factory sealed 1968 MB box is an impressive trophy piece. Auction records for sealed boxes have reached up to $1000 depending on condition factors.

While short-lived as a major card manufacturer, Milton Bradley made an impact on the baseball card collecting scene for over 15 years including their 1968 return to standard sized cards. The clean designs, unique qualities like the linen finish, and historical context have ensured this issue maintains strong collector demand decades after initial production. For these reasons, the 1968 Milton Bradley baseball card set stands out as an iconic release that represented the twilight of one company’s time in the market before the onset of a new era in the 1970s. Its continued popularity today serves as a testament to both its visual appeal and significance within the rich timeline of sports card history.

1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS EBAY

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The 1968 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. It marked a transition from drab black and white photography of the 1950s and early 1960s to bright, colorful cards that featured action shots and lively pose portraits of the players. The 1968 set also signified a cultural shift in America with longhaired hippies, psychedelic artwork, and a youth movement challenging the status quo. This counterculture revolution is reflected in the adventurous photography and graphic designs of the 1968 Topps cards.

Topps released the 1968 set with 714 total cards. This included individual cards for all major and minor league players, managers, coaches and umpires as well as team cards and multi-player cards showing front and back views. Some notable rookie cards debuted including Reggie Jackson, Tommy John, Rollie Fingers, Sparky Lyle and others. Star cards of pitching icons such as Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson and Juan Marichal and hitting greats like Harmon Killebrew and Willie Mays also highlighted the set.

The action photography and psychedelic designs made the 1968 Topps set stand out. Most cards used colorful action shots instead of plain posed portraits. Bright colors like orange, lime green and purple dominated card designs. Wild plaid patterns and trippy swirling or glowing graphics accompanied many player photos. Topps also incorporated cartoonish elements into some images. The bold aesthetic revolutionized baseball card designs and popularized the hobby.

On the secondary market, 1968 Topps cards are a hot commodity due to their iconic status in the vintage card realm and increasing collector demand. Many key rookie and star cards regularly fetch premium prices on auction sites such as eBay. Here are some examples of what certain prominent 1968 Topps cards have sold for on eBay in recent years:

Reggie Jackson RC (Card #497): Near mint to mint condition examples have sold for upwards of $2,000. A PSA-graded EX-MT 5 copy sold for $3,324 in 2020.

Nolan Ryan RC (Card #500): Ungraded near mint examples sell in the $100-300 range. A PSA-slabbed NM-MT 7 copy made $1,116 in 2021.

Tom Seaver (Card #537): High-grade copies routinely cross the $500 threshold. A BGS-graded gem mint 9.5 realized $1,575 last year.

Willie Mays (Card #596): Choice near mint copies bring $200-400 on average. A PSA-graded NM-MT 8 flew for $1,849 in 2022 bidding.

Sandy Koufax (Card #600): Well-centered near mint examples sell around $75-150 range. A pristine PSA 10 specimen reached $2,700 just last month.

The 1968 Topps parallel subsets within the set also command premium prices due to their scarcity and condition challenges. Highlights include:

1968 Topps Tetracycline (cards #609-711): Complete near mint series tops $5,000. Key singles like Frank Robinson (#625) have netted over $1,000 in PSA 10.

1968 Topps LSD (cards #412-496): Scarce to find complete runs or singles in choice condition. Select cards may still garner over $200 in NM-MT.

1968 Topps Post Cereal (cards #714-727): Best seen complete in 3-ring binders. Top rookie Orlando Cepeda (#714) has surpassed $500 individually.

The 1968 Topps set is renowned for its oddball short prints and overproduction errors that intrigue collectors. Elusive numbers like Felipe Alou (#313) and Wes Covington (#344) attract attention from error card aficionados. 1969-postmarked cards and miscut sheets are also peculiar anomalies to track down in this iconic issue.

As nostalgia for vintage cardboard intensifies, so does marketplace magnetism for brand ambassador sets like 1968 Topps. When factoring rarity, condition challenges, breakout rookie platforms, and now proven long-term demand – these cards are primed to appreciate over coming years. eBay will undoubtedly continue as a leading outlet for collectors to both seek and sell cherished pieces from this groovy yet crucial set in baseball card history’s annals.

1968 SPORTING NEWS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1968 Sporting News Baseball Card Set is revered by collectors as one of the most iconic and valuable vintage issues from the 1960s. The cards in this set represented a shift towards more colorful and photographically creative designs compared to the simpler illustrations of the previous decade.

Despite only containing 132 cards compared to the standard size sets of the time that would typically have over 700 cards, Sporting News chose to focus on only the biggest stars and most impactful players from the 1967 MLB season. This gave each included player more prominence and helped the set achieve a memorable quality that has endured to this day.

Some key things that made the 1968 Sporting News set so collectible and memorable include the colorful action photography on each card as well as novel artistic touches like painted borders and typestyles. Rather than basic headshots or plain illustrations, nearly every card depicted the player dynamically in action with vivid colors that really popped compared to drabber designs of the past.

Perhaps the most famous card from the set is the Nolan Ryan rookie which has achieved record prices in recent auctions. As one of the lone copies in true gem mint condition, it exemplifies the scarcity and quality control of the 1968 Sporting News issue. While most other rookie cards from the late 1960s exist in far greater numbers, only the tightest of print runs and best preserved copies of Ryan’s debut have survived to today.

Some other notable rookie and star player cards include Boog Powell, Johnny Bench, Carl Yastrzemski, and Tom Seaver. These future Hall of Famers are iconic examples of the set’s style at capturing the sport’s biggest names in their athletic prime through top-notch action photography. Compared to their simpler Topps and Fleer counterparts from the same year, the aesthetic of the Sporting News cards truly made the players “pop” off the cardboard.

In terms of production specifics, the 1968 Sporting News set was printed by Bowman Gum Co. and distributed through the Sporting News newspaper rather than retail outlets. With a limited print run aimed at collectors rather than the casual bubblegum customer, quality control was much stricter. As a result, higher grade specimens suitable for today’s standards are quite rare compared to other 60s issues.

The scarcity and phenomenal condition of the gems that do exist have driven values through the roof in the collector market. While common players might only sell for $20-50 in average condition, the true near-mint status that so few possess can pull in thousands. For the biggest stars like Ryan and Bench, pristine specimens have crossed the $10,000 mark in recent auction results.

As one of the earliest mainstream baseball offerings specifically targeted at the collector audience rather than kids, the 1968 Sporting News set really helped kick off modern sports card collecting as a serious niche. Its creative bright photos, limited production, and focus on top players all made it immediately stand out and become a coveted piece for enthusiasts even in the late 60s/early 70s. Today it retains that mystique as one of the most visually striking and valuable vintage issues that any collection aims to highlight.

In summarization, the 1968 Sporting News Baseball Card Set was truly groundbreaking for its time and has endured as one of the greatest vintage issues ever due to its sharp photographic presentation, memorable rookie cards of all-time greats, extremely limited production, and stratospheric values achieved by high grade specimens. Even among the sea of classic 1950s-1970s issues, this set retains a mystique as an early pioneer of the collecting hobby through its focus and creative presentation of the sport’s biggest names.

1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS COMPLETE SET

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The 1968 Topps baseball card set was the seventh series of annual football cards produced by the Topps Chewing Gum Company. These cards featured professional baseball players from the American and National Leagues and were issued during the 1968 MLB season. The 1968 set contained 660 total cards and is highly coveted by collectors today due to its place in baseball history and the iconic rookie cards it features.

The 660 cards in the 1968 set were issued in wax paper packs, with each pack containing five or six cards. The cards measured 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches which was the standard size Topps used for baseball cards from 1952 through 1981. As with previous Topps sets, card numbers ranged from 1 through the total set size, with photo variations, error cards, and late additions accounting for deviations from the numeric pattern.

Some key facts about the iconic 1968 Topps baseball card set:

Iconic rookie cards: This set featured the rookie cards of Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Steve Garvey, Rollie Fingers and Willie McCovey as well as other legends like Fergie Jenkins and Johnny Bench.

Hank Aaron chase: The Hank Aaron chase cards (#75, #660) showing his progress towards Babe Ruth’s home run record were some of the most iconic cards in the set as Aaron broke the record in 1974.

Photo variations: Many stars like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron had two different photo variations in the set, adding to collector interest.

Uncommon error cards: A handful of error cards missing players’ names or photos stand out as rare chase cards for advanced collectors.

Late additions: After the base set was completed, nine additional cards were issued, including the final card (#669) honoring Roberto Clemente after his tragic death in a plane crash in Dec 1972.

Design changes: The 1968 set featured design changes like larger fonts, a navy border replacing red from 1967, and team name pennants underneath photos.

The 1968 Topps set marked an important time in baseball history with legends entering their primes and home run records being chased. While production numbers for individual cards are not published, the set as a whole is considered readily available in Completed form through auctions and card shops. Graded high-end examples in Gem Mint condition can still demand thousands due to the star power and historical significance represented in the 1968 cards.

Some of the most valuable cards in the 1968 Topps set today include:

Rookie cards of Reggie Jackson, Steve Garvey, Rollie Fingers – Graded 9/10 can fetch hundreds to a few thousand each

Nolan Ryan rookie card (#250) – High-graded examples over $1000

Hank Aaron cards #75 & #660 – Can reach $500-1000+ in top condition

Rookie card of Johnny Bench (#51) – >$500 for high grades

Rookie card of Willie McCovey (#466) – $200-500 range

Two known photo variation sets comprising over thirty stars – $10,000+ for a true master set.

While still obtainable for collectors on a budget in raw complete set form, condition-graded high-ends of stars and coveted rookie cards from the 1968 Topps set have grown substantially in value. This is due to both the talented players featured and the set’s placement within the core era of modern baseball fandom in the 1960s & 70s. Along with the iconic 1967, 1969, and 1970 Topps issues, the 1968 set remains one of the most recognized in the hobby.

The 1968 Topps baseball card complete set holds tremendous historical significance, features legendary players and Hall of Fame rookie cards, and offers collectors iconic visuals of stars from baseball’s golden era. While production was high, desirable examples in top grades have achieved noteworthy prices fitting for one of the most important releases from the original Topps run throughout the 20th century. The rookie cards, chase variations, and acclaimed photography make the 1968 set highly acclaimed among card collectors to this day.