1973 Test Issue Topps Comics + Pin-Ups (R-unc)

Number of Cards

1973 Topps Test Issue has 24 cards each, which includes 1 Cub.

Size of Cards

Topps Comics measure 4 5/8" x 3 7/16"​ and Topps Pin-Ups measure 3 7/16" x 4 5/8"

Basic Features

1973 Topps Comics test issue is rather rare. Each comic is vibrant and colorful. The comics are titled "Career Highlights of ..." and consist of six or seven panels detailing information about the specific player. This set shares the same checklist as the 1973 Topps Pin-Ups. It is unnumbered. The team logos and insignia on the cards have been airbrushed out.

1973 Topps Pin-Ups test issue was first intended to envelop rectangular bubblegum pieces. One side showcases gum-wrapper graphics, while the reverse features a colorful 'pin-up' of a prominent player, along with a facsimile signature. The team logos and insignia on the cards have been airbrushed away, and it shares the same checklist with the 1973 Topps Comics.

Chicago Cubs 1973 Test Issue Topps Comics + Pin-Ups Checklist

Player

Billy Williams Comics

Billy Williams Pin-Ups

J.D. McCarthy Postcards (PC753)

Number of Cards

These black and white postcards were produced by J.D. McCarthy, a Detroit-based company. featuring 100+ players from the Cubs.

Size of Postcards

The size of the cards are 3-1/4" x 5-1/2"

Basic Features

J. D. McCarthy was an exceptionally prolific photographer based in Detroit, Michigan. He produced postcards that showcased athletes from a range of sports. Many prominent players from that era are depicted on McCarthy's postcards. However, certain postcards are significantly more difficult to locate. Most of the card fronts feature facsimile signatures, while a select few only display the player's name in standard text. Furthermore, there are various versions of the postcard backs.

There are too many to share, so just be cautious as there are fakes out there.

1963 J.D. McCarthy Postcards (PC753):

1963 Fleer (R418-7)

Number of Cards

1963 Fleer has 67 cards, which there are 2 Cubs.

Size of Cards

Standard size, which measure 2 1/2” by 3 1/2”

Basic Features

The 1963 Fleer baseball card set marked a significant departure from previous traditions in the trading card industry. Unlike earlier Fleer issues that typically featured Hall of Famers or former superstars, the 1963 cards honored the era’s current players, presenting them in vibrant full color. This fresh approach brought an immediate connection to contemporary fans, who could see their favorite active athletes showcased prominently. The design was distinctive as well: while the player’s portrait dominated the card, the remainder of the card was left white, with the player's name, team, and position clearly printed along the bottom border. This minimalist yet colorful style set the 1963 Fleer cards apart visually.

However, the set’s production faced a significant obstacle due to legal challenges. A lawsuit filed by rival card manufacturer Topps forced Fleer to halt production prematurely, resulting in only one series of 66 cards being released instead of a full, multi-series run. This legal battle not only impacted the availability of the cards but also cemented the 1963 Fleer set’s status as a unique and somewhat rare collection within the hobby. Despite its limited size, the set is remembered for its pioneering use of color photography on active players and its distinct visual presentation.

Chicago Cubs 1963 Fleer Checklist

Number	Player
31	Glen Hobbie
32	Ron Santo

1913 Colgan’s Chips Tin Tops (E270-2)

Number of Cards

The 1913 Colgan’s Chips collection consists of 200 disks, featuring 7 players from the Cubs.

Size of Chips

round 1-3/8” diameter discs

Basic Features

The “Tin Tops” subset is a fascinating piece of baseball card history. These cards are named for the unique redemption offer printed on their backs, which invited customers to send in 25 tin tops collected from packages of Colgan’s Violet or Mint Chips, along with a two-cent stamp. In exchange, they would receive a photograph of the World’s Pennant Winning Team.

This set can be identified as being from the year 1913, as Otis Clymer did not join the Cubs until that time.

Chicago Cubs 1913 Colgan’s Chips Tin Tops Checklist

Player

Jimmy Archer

Roger Bresnahan

Al Bridwell

Otis Clymer

Johnny Evers

Ed Reulbach

Wildfire Schulte

1922 Neilson's Chocolate Type 1+2 (V61)

Number of Cards

1922 Neilson's Chocolate Type 1 has 120 cards, which there are 9 Cubs players.

Size of Cards

The cards are the following dimensions: 2” by 3-1/2”

Basic Features

This closely resembles the 1922 American Caramel (E120) set, although it was released in Canada under Neilson’s "Big League" Chocolate Bars. Type I was produced on a thick paper stock, featuring the player’s image in a centered oval, encircled by a decorative border, with the player’s name, position, and team displayed at the bottom, along with the card number in the lower left corner. The reverse side features Neilson’s Chocolates inscribed in Old English.

Chicago Cubs 1922 Neilson's Chocolate Type I Checklist

Number	Player
66	Marty Callaghan
69	Grover Cleveland Alexander
74	Vic Aldridge
76	Bob O'Farrell
84	Virgil Cheeves
86	Hack Miller
87	Johnny Kelleher
105	Ray Grimes
110	Charley Hollocher

Number of Cards

1922 Neilson's Chocolate Type 2 has 120 cards, which there are 9 Cubs players.

Size of Cards

The cards are the following dimensions: 2” by 3-1/2”

Basic Features

This closely resembles the 1922 American Caramel (E120) set; however, it was launched in Canada under Neilson’s "Big League" Chocolate Bars. Type II was manufactured on a lighter paper stock, presenting the player's image in a centered oval, bordered decoratively, with the player's name, position, and team shown at the bottom, and lacking a card number in the lower left corner. The back side displays Neilson’s Chocolates in a standard typeface.

Chicago Cubs 1922 Neilson's Chocolate Type II Checklist

The identical checklist referenced earlier, excluding any numbers.

Variation Type I:

Variation Type II:

To ensure you don't purchase a counterfeit piece of history, always obtain a professionally graded card from a trusted seller. Graded cards are expected to appreciate significantly in value over time.

1937 Wheaties BB9 Billy Herman (F272-2-9)

Number of Cards

The 1937 Wheaties collection consists of 16 boxes, featuring 1 player from the Cubs.

Size of Cards

The cards measure 6" X 8 1/4"

Basic Features

This collection is referred to as the "color series," which includes a group of 16 panels, each showcasing a player from a different major league team.

Wheaties, manufactured by General Mills, is a well-known breakfast cereal in the United States. The series features colorized images of players placed against vibrant geometric backgrounds, incorporating facsimile signatures and biographical details, along with a Wheaties endorsement integrated into the overall design.

Chicago Cubs 1937 Wheaties (F272-2-9) Checklist

Player

Billy Herman

1973 Fleer Official Major League Patches

Number of Cards

1973 Fleer MLB Patches has 50 patches, which there are 2 Cubs.

Size of Cards

The size measure 2 1/2" x 3 1/4"”

Basic Features

Distributed by Fleer, these patches come with a square decal featuring the team logo, alongside a rectangular decal that includes the team's name as it appears on their uniform, applicable to each of the 24 MLB teams. These decals are somewhat challenging to find. Moreover, an insert titled 1973 Fleer Official Major League Patches - Famous Feats is included in every package.

Number of Cards

1973 Fleer MLB Patches - Famous Feats has 40 patches, which there are 3 Cubs.

Chicago Cubs 1973 Fleer Official Major League Patches + Famous Feats Checklist

Number	Player
-	square logo patch
-	rectangular monogram patch
7	Johnny Evers
9	Hack Wilson
29	Ed Reulbach