Unchartered waters

I know very little about vintage basketball cards.

Most of us can take a look at any baseball card from the 50s, 60s, or 70s and know exactly what year the set is from. But if you showed me a basketball card from that timeframe? I'd have no idea.

In my quest to stay somewhat interested in cards right now, I've started to look at some vintage basketball cards. Given I'm a Syracuse University alum, I thought it was time to pick up some Dave Bing cards. Bing is one of the greatest NBA players of all time, despite being very under-appreciated. 

I hope to pick up a RC, but I started with a couple cards from other points of his career. Anyone know what year this is from without looking? Me neither!

It's from 1970-71 Topps. When I bought it on eBay, I expected it to be the size of a mini. Wrong! It's bigger than a traditional card. How would I know? I was very surprised when I opened the envelope and saw it.

See what I mean? Making uneducated purchases. Many would call that dumb. Including me.

Here's the second Bing I bought. Any idea on the year?

Well, it's later in his career, as he's a Celtic. But it's from 1978-79 Topps. It doesn't look much like it's baseball counterparts from 1978 nor 1979, although I do see some early '80s baseball cards in a few of the design elements.

It's kind of dumb of me to make these types of uninformed purchases, but we're only talking a few bucks. If anything, it's fairly enjoyable to see a completely new design from an era where we're all familiar with what the baseball cards looked like.

I'll probably work to complete the Dave Bing Topps run, as vintage basketball is picking up steam from a lot of collectors and investors. Might as well snag 'em now while I can...even if I'm buying cards I know very little about.

Bing!

I get giddy every time a PWE from Mark H. arrives. I know it's always going to have something good in it.

Mark found out on another post that I was a Syracuse grad, so he said, "I'll have to send you a Dave Bing card." For those of you who might not be basketball fans, Dave Bing went to Syarcuse, was a #2 overall NBA pick, had a Hall of Fame career, and also was the mayor of Detroit. Pretty impressive stuff! He doesn't get the recognition that a lot of other legends get, but make no mistake, he was one of the best.

Mark sent me three Bing cards, including this awesome over-sized card, which I am told was from 1976-77 and Topps actually did a full set of these. Interesting.

 

And of course, Mark threw in two Yanks as well!

 

Thank you, sir!