1960s Topps
Despite a brief attempt by Fleer to sign baseball players in 1963, Topps continued its reign as the only major baseball card manufacturer in the United States. On the other hand, Football had more than one professional league in operation, allowing for competing companies to co-exist by producing a major national set for each league. Topps was able to produce National Football League sets from 1960 to 1963 while Fleer issued American Football League sets. Topps then began producing AFL sets from 1964 to 1967 while Philadelphia Gum issued NFL sets. Before the end of the decade Topps revived their basketball issue after a ten-year hiatus. The following is a list with brief descriptions of Topps sports card products for the 1960s. All cards listed are standard size. Exceptions are noted.
Topps also maintained a presence in the foreign card market which began near the end of the 1950s by issuing baseball cards in Venezuela from 1959 to 1968. Topps also maintained licensing agreements with A&BC Chewing Gum in England and O-Pee-Chee in Canada. A&BC Chewing produced an annual football set featuring marks and designed featured in Topps baseball and football sets. While hockey cards were produced by Topps up until 1960-61, they were produced and distributed by O-Pee-Chee from 1961-62 onwards. After a 1967 Topps Test set, the annual hockey series was produced in both Canada and USA from 1968-69 onwards.
The annual Topps/O-Pee-Chee Canadian football series was printed in USA from 1958 to 1960, then printed in Canada from 1961 to 1965 and 1968 to 1972. That series featured players from the Canadian Football League. Also in the 1960s, O-Pee-Chee produced a baseball series that mimicked Topps baseball from 1965 onwards.
Baseball
Base sets
1 Pack typeSupplemental Issues
Licensed sets
Canada
From 1965 onwards, the Canadian gum company O-Pee-Chee produced licensed sets basically identical to the Topps set of the same year. The primary difference with the O-Pee-Chee sets is the 'Printed in Canada' statement on the reverse. The copyright line shows T.C.G, and did so until 1972 when it changed to O.P.C. The 1969 O-Pee-Chee set included the company's logo on the reverse and used a magenta ink as opposed to the pink ink on the Topps cards.Year | Set | Quantity | Size | Notes |
1965 | O-Pee-Chee | 283 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1966 | O-Pee-Chee | 196 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1967 | O-Pee-Chee | 196 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1967 | Paper Inserts | 32 | 5 × 7 in | |
1968 | O-Pee-Chee | 196 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1969 | O-Pee-Chee | 218 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1969 | Deckle | 24 | × in |
Venezuela
During the 1960s, Topps produced Venezuelan sets only in even-numbered years except for 1967. The 1967 Venezuelan set is unique among these in that it features Venezuelan league players along with retired U.S. players in addition to the base set cards.Year | Set | Quantity | Size | Notes |
1960 | Topps Venezuelan | 198 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1962 | Topps Venezuelan | 198 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1964 | Topps Venezuelan | 370 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1966 | Topps Venezuelan | 370 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1967 | Topps Venezuelan | 338 | 2.5 × 3.5 in | |
1968 | Topps Venezuelan | 370 | 2.5 × 3.5 in |
Football
1960
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Metallic Stickers Inserts 33 stickers Size: × in
- Topps Tattoos 70 tattoos Size: × 3.5 in
- Topps CFL 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
1961
- Base set 198 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Flocked Stickers Inserts 48 cards Size: 2 × in
- Topps CFL 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- CFL Transfers 27 cards Size: 2 × 3 in
1962
- Base set 176 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Bucks Inserts 48 cards Size: × in
- Topps CFL 169 cards Size: × 2.5 in
1963
- Base set 170 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Topps CFL 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
1964
- Base set 176 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Pennant Stickers Inserts 24 stickers Size: × 4.5 in
- Topps CFL 88 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
1965
- Base set 176 cards Size: 2.5 × in
- Magic Rub-Off Inserts 36 cards Size: 2 × 3 in
- Topps CFL 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- CFL Transfers 27 cards Size: 2 × 3 in
1966
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Funny Rings 24 cards Size: × 3 in
1967
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Comic Pennants 31 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
1968
- Base set 219 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Poster Inserts 16 cards Size: 5 × 7 in
- Stand-Ups Inserts 22 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Test Teams 25 cards Size: 2.5 × in
- Test Team Patches 44 patches Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
1969
- Base set 263 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
- Four-In-One Inserts 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in Each of the four is 1 × 1.5 in.
- Mini-Albums Inserts 26 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in
Basketball
1968-69 Topps Test
This test set has 22 cards with black-and-white photos. The player's name and team are at the bottom of the card. The numbered backs are oriented horizontally and combine to form a picture of Wilt Chamberlain. Size: 2.5 × 3.5 in.
1969-70 Topps
This 99 card set issued in 10-card packs was Topps' first major basketball set since 1957. The cards are oversize with player photos in an oval frame. The white borders display sketches of basketball scenes with the player's name and position at the top and team at the bottom. The backs offered career statistics and biographical data along with a small cartoon in the shape of a basketball falling through a hoop. Size: 2.5 × in.
1969-70 Topps Rulers
This 23-poster set was issued as an insert in the regular wax packs. The 'rulers' depict a player in a cartoon style drawing next to a vertical ruler which indicates the player's height. The player's name and team are also displayed in a bubble on the front. Size: 2.5 × in.
Ice hockey
During the 1960s, Topps and O-Pee-Chee continued their working relationship to produce National Hockey League cards for the Canadian market. In the early 1960s, the O-Pee-Chee sets featured some, but not all of the teams. After Parkhurst stopped producing hockey cards in 1964, Topps/O-Pee-Chee held the rights for all the NHL teams.Starting in 1961-62, the Topps/O-Pee-Chee cards were printed in Canada. In 1967, Topps produced a test set for the U.S. marketplace. Then in 1967-68, the Topps/O-Pee-Chee set was the last to feature just six NHL teams and marketed specifically for the Canadian marketplace.
Starting in 1968-69, Topps and O-Pee-Chee created different sets for their respective markets. The designs for the two sets were similar.
1960-61
- Base set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Stamps Insert set
1961-62
- Base set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1962-63
- Base set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- Hockey Bucks Insert set Size: × inches
1963-64
- Base set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1964-65
- Base set 110 cards Size: × inches
1965-66
- Base set 128 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1966-67
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
- USA Test set 66 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1967-68
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1968-69
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
1969-70
- Base set 132 cards Size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
Non-sport
1960
Funny Valentines 'A' Size: 2½ × 3½ inchesPresidents of the United States Size: 2-11/16 × 2¾ inches
Popeye Tattoos Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
1961
Crazy Cards Size: 2½ × 3½ inchesGiant Size Funny Valentines Size: 2½ × 4¾ inches
Sports Cars Size: 2½ × 4¾/ 1-13/16 × 4¼ inches
1962
Casey & Kildare Size: 2½ × 3½ inchesCivil War News Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Famous Americans Size: 1⅜ × 2-9/16 inches
Foldees Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Mars Attacks Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Monster Tattoo Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
Superman Tattoos Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
Valentine Stickers Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1963
Astronauts Size: 2½ × 3½ inchesBeverly Hillbillies Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Flag Midgee Cards Size: 1-9/16 × 2½ inches
Monster Flip Movies Size: 2-7/16 × 2½ inches
Monster Laffs-Midgee Size: 1-9/16 × 2½ inches
Valentine Foldees Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Walt Disney Characters Tattoos Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
1964
Beatles Black & White Size: 2½ × 3½ inchesBeatles Color Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Beatles Diary Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Beatles Movie 'A Hard Days Night' Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Beatles Plaks Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Johnson vs. Goldwater Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
John F. Kennedy Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Military Emblems
Nutty Awards Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Outer Limits Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1965
Battle Size: 2 × 3-5/16 inchesDaniel Boone Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Flash Gordon Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Flying Things Size: irregular
Gilligan's Island Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Hot Rods Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
King Kong Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Kookie Plaks Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Mighty Mouse and His Pals Tattoos Size: 1⅝ × 3½ inches
Mod Generation Stickers Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Monster Greeting Cards Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Presidents and Famous Americans Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Push-Pull Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Rat Fink Greeting Cards Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Silly Stickers Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Soupy Sales Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Tom and Jerry Tattoos Size: 1⅝ × 3½ inches
Ugly Stickers Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Wise Guy Buttons Size: 2" diameter
1966
Batman Size: 2½ × 3½ inchesBatman A Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Batman B Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Batman-Riddler Back Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Batman Color Photos Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Comic Book Foldees Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Comic Book Foldees Large Size: 3¼ × 6 inches
Flipper Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Flipper's Magic Fish Size: irregular
Fold-A-Roos Size: 2½ × 4-11/16 inches
Frankenstein Stickers Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Funny Rings Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Get Smart
Green Hornet Stickers Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Insult Post Cards Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Lost In Space Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Make Your Own Name Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Man From U.N.C.L.E. Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Marvel Flyers Size: irregular
Monster Laffs Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Rat Patrol Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Slob Stickers Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Superman Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Superman In The Jungle Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Ugly Buttons Size: 2" diameter
Wacky Labels Size: 1⅛ × 2-9/16 inches
1967
Angry Stickers Size: 1⅛ × 2-9/16 inchesBlockheads Size: 7¼ × 8⅝ inches
Captain Nice Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Comic Book Tattoos Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
Disgusting Disguises
Doctor Dolittle Tattoos Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
Dopey Books Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Fighter Planes Size: irregular
Funny Travel Posters Size: 9¾ × 18½ inches
Krazy Little Comics Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Maya Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Monkees Flip Movies Size: 2-7/16 × 3½ inches
Nasty Notes Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Nutty Initial Stickers Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Phoney Records Size: 2½ × 2⅝
Phoney Records Stickers Size: 3⅜" square
Pop-Ups Size: 2-3/16 × 3½ inches year?
Terror Tales Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Toppscience Size: 3 × 6¼ inches
Wacky Packages Die-Cuts
Wanted Posters Size: 10 × 18½ inches
Who Am I? Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
1968
Batty Book Covers Size: 11⅛ × 18¾ inchesCrazy TV Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Fabulous Rock Records Size: 6¾" diameter
Giant Plaks
Hang-Ups Size: 9-13/16 × 18⅜ inches
Julia Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Kooky Awards
Krazy People Posters Size: 9¾ × 18½ inches
Land of the Giants Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Laugh In Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Mini Stickers and Nutty Tickets Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Put-On Stickers Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Wise Ties Size: 3¾ × 9½ inches
1969
Archie Tattoos Size: 2½ × 3-7/16 inchesGroovy Stick-Ons Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Love Initials Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Man on the Moon Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Mod Squad Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Planet of the Apes Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Room 222 Size: 2½ × 3½ inches
Pak O' Fun Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Wacky Ads Size: 3⅛ × 5¼ inches
Other Sixties Issues
Astro Boy Tattoos Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inchesBazooka Joe
Flip-Ups Size: 2 × 2¼ inches
Magic Funny Fortunes Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
Magic Tattoos Size: 1-9/16 × 3½ inches
Real Wood Plaks/Valentine Wood Plaks Size: 1⅜ × 3½ inches