1971 Topps Baseball Cards

Topps unbelievably increased the size of their baseball card set in 1971 to a huge 752 cards total - an increase of only 32 cards from the previous year, but still a monumental task for a kid with a normal allowance to complete back in the days when cards were always bought a pack at a time.

The card fronts were black-bordered (leading to a lot of condition issues later on), with the player's photo dominating the card, and a faux signature superimposed over it. The player's team name was placed across the top of the card in bold colored lettering, with the player's name and position underneath.

Card backs featured a second player photo, usually a head shot (and often taken from the front photo) in a whimsical page-like block to the left, with the player's name, basic biographical info, and a paragraph about his career in a block to the right. Below this in a thin horizontal section was the previous year's and career statistics.

Despite the huge number of cards in the set, it doesn't quite have as many 'specialty' cards - World Series and playoff highlights, statistical leaders, team rookies, etc.

High-numbers in this set, beginning with #644, are more scarce.

Prominent players in this set include Thurmon Munson, Reggie Jackson, Burt Blyleven (rookie), Pete Rose, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench, Brooks Robinson, Steve Garvey (rookie), Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, Willie Mays, and Roberto Clemente.