Description

Holder is very large, approximately 12 1/2" x 6" The 1969 Topps Basketball Rulers set consists of 23 cards, each measuring 2-1/2" by 9-7/8". One of the most uniquely designed cards of all time, each piece features a bright and colorful player caricature to the right of a standard ruler design spotlighting the player's height. The player and team name are identified within a color oval, along with the insert number and copyright information. The backs are blank. These “rulers” were inserted (one each) into Topps’ regular 1969-70 Basketball cards issue. The set is anchored by Jerry West (#2), John Havlicek (#9), Lew Alcindor (#10), Wilt Chamberlain (#11), and Oscar Robertson (#24). Topps printed this issue on thin paper material, making each piece an extremely delicate object and thus difficult to find in the highest of grades. The set is also unique in its absence of a card #5. The reason had remained a mystery until the discovery of original artwork for the set. That card was meant to feature Boston Celtics great Bill Russell, but his sudden retirement prior to the set’s release forced his exclusion.