The release of the oversized 1969 Topps “tall boys” basketball set just so happened to coincide with one particularly huge presence entering the league. Three-time All-America center Lew Alcindor had left UCLA to sign a 5-year, $1.25 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. Measuring 7'1 1/2"" and 235 lbs. according to the back of his iconic rookie card, Alcindor – who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – would go on to have one of the most storied NBA careers of all time, thus making his ‘69 Topps RC one of the most revered basketball printings.
Marquee cards from the set are hard to find in quality condition thanks to a range of factors. The abnormal dimensions of the cards meant they didn’t fit as nicely into standard-sized storage boxes, binders, and protective cases of the era. The design, with its round inset, highlights miscutting and misprinting issues that plague the release, while the mostly white border leaves no room for blemishes to hide. So when strong examples such as this SGC 8 with MBA Gold and Fanatics Collect–E designation hit the auction block, they tend to attract plenty of interest.
Learn more about the Topps “tall boy” history in our guide to the famous set: https://www.fanaticscollect.com/definitive-guides/tall-tales-what-makes-topps-tall-boy-vintage-basketball-cards-such-a-big-deal
The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 1/7/2025.
