By Darren Lippe
The 1969-1970 set of Topps Basketball cards included 23 cards that were designed like rulers. They featured a colorful caricature of the player standing alongside a ruler that highlighted the player’s height. The players’ name & team are included in an oval circle. The cards measured 2 ½ inches by 9 7/8 inches & their backs are blank. The cards were folded 3 times & inserted into the regular packs. They were made of extremely thin paper, making them quite valuable to today’s collectors.
Mysteriously, the set did not include card #5. When the original artwork was discovered, the missing card was to feature Bill Russell. His card was cancelled after he announced retirement just prior to the set’s release.
The 23 cards feature:
1 Walt Bellamy
2 Jerry West
3 Bailey Howell
4 Elvin Hayes
5 ___________
6 Bob Rule
7 Gail Goodrich
8 Jeff Mullins
9 John Havlicek
10 Lew Alcindor
11 Wilt Chamberlain
12 Nate Thurmond
13 Hal Greer
14 Lou Hudson
15 Jerry Lucas
16 Dave Bing
17 Walt Frazier
18 Gus Johnson
19 Willis Reed
20 Earl Monroe
21 Billy Cunningham
22 Wes Unseld
23 Bob Boozer
24 Oscar Robertson