Topps reverted to its horizontal format in 1960, creating a multi-photo card which is extremely popular with signed card collectors. The toughest challenge in the 1960 Topps set for signed card collectors was Topps' decision to expand the use of an occasional coach card into a full blown subset of coaches and managers. Managers appearing in the set include the always difficult Fred Hutchinson (d. 1964) and Chuck Dressen (d. 1966) plus the reappearance of Mr. Team Bob Elliott (d. 1966). Some difficult coaches include Charlie Root and Johnny Keane The set also contains the first appearance of two players who both passed away while still active players - Jim Umbricht (d. 1964) and Walt Bond (d. 1967) - two of the most difficult autographs of the sixties.

Subsets abound in this sprawling classic from Topps. A signed card collector faces a daunting challenge of five Mantles (regular, MVP, AS, Highlight, and World Series) plus a few on the multi-player leader cards. Other notables putting in extra duty include Mays, Banks, Maris and Aaron - all with 3 cards each. Several difficult signatures appear in this set including Hal Bevan (d. 1968), Walt Bond (d. 1967), Jack Meyer (d. 1967), Hutchinson, Dressen and Hoak. One newcomer in the ranks of tough signatures was Yankee rookie Fritz Brickell - who passed away in 1965.

1962 Topps Signed Cards

In 1962 Topps issused its "woodies" set of 598 cards much to the confusion of collectors. The set broke new design ground for Topps - curled up photo corners, disembodied heads on the rookie cards, and the abundance of print errors. The set introduced one player whose destiny for greatness was cut short in early 1964 after two sterling campaigns with the Cubs - Ken Hubbs. The 1962 Topps set also features the difficult Johnny Keane card - Johnny was the manager of the Cardinals in 1964 who shocked the baseball world by switching teams to replace Berra as manager of the Yankees for the ill-fated 1965 season. Keane died in 1966.

1963 Topps Signed Cards

A sharp rebound from the previous year's colorless design, Topps produced one of its most attractive sets of the decade in 1963. The super sharp color photos framed by clean color borders make this set extremely popular with signed card collectors. The 1963 set did continue the 'floating head' rookie card motif - capturing the all-time hit king Pete Rose, one of the key cards of the decade. Multi-player cards are interesting for collector of signed cards in that it presents an opportunity to combine multiple autographs on a single card. Other notable multi-player rookies are Dave McNally (d. 2002), Willie Stargell (d. 2001), Dave DeBusschere (d. 2003) and Tony Oliva. Other multi-player cards include Mays/Musial, Banks/Aaron, Mantle/Richardson, and Hodges/Snider. Ken Hubbs makes his second of four card appearances in this set - two years after his death he reappeared as the misidentified Dick Ellsworth in the 1966 Topps set.

1964 Topps Signed Cards

The Yankee dynasty came to an end after 1964 as Topps issued a classic 587 card set with clean white borders and sharp photos. A favorite of signed card collectors - the 1964 set features the final card appearances of Fred Hutchinson and Jim Umbricht (both d. 1964) and an In Memoriam card for Ken Hubbs (d. 1964). Multi-player cards continued with the classic Topps' alliteration - Sox Sockers, Giant Gunners, Friendly Foes, etc. One toughie appearing on his first card is Colt flycatcher Johnny Weekly (d. 1974).

1965 Topps Signed Cards

Another Topps classic was released in 1965 - a sharp colorful design with team pennants. Several cards feature truly classic poses including Koufax and Mantle. The set marks the final card appearance of Casey Stengel - who was replaced at mid-season by Wes Westrum after breaking his hip during a fall. One notable toughie making his first appearance in the 1965 Topps set is Chico Ruiz (d. 1972) - a once promising player who's exploits became scandal sheet fodder in the early 70s. The set features the rookie card appearances of HOFers Jim Hunter, Tony Perez, Joe Morgan and Steve Carlton - all on multi-player cards.

1966 Topps Signed Cards

Topps 1966 offering is best known by collectors for its Hall of Fame trio of RHP rookies (Jenkins, Palmer, Sutton) and its difficult to find high number series. Collectors of signed cards would single out the 66 set for the difficulty in finding several key signed cards - both Dressen and Keane died in 1966, making their signed cards nearly impossible. Walt Bond appears in the set, as does other toughies such as Ruiz, Hodges and Farrell. The most difficult signed card though is a little known right hander from the Dominican Chi Chi Olivo (d. 1977) wrapped up his five year career with the Braves. The 1966 Topps set was Olivo's only card appearance and his signed card is the key rarity in the set.

1967 Topps Signed Cards

Topps masterpiece - the clean photos and block letter team names create almost a 3-d effect. Also popular with signed card collectors, the 1967 Topps set has Hall of Fame rookies such as Seaver and Carew, a gorgeous Maris card with his cap prophetically tipped upward and many tough to find signatures including Hodges, Ruiz, Mayo Smith and Elston Howard. The toughest card in the set of course is Walt Bond - the Astros slugger died in a car crash in September 1967, just months after his card #431 appeared on the shelves. Like the Big 3 in the T206, the 1967 Topps Bond is nearly (but not entirely) impossible.

1968 Topps Signed Cards

Topps' burlap style cards in 1968 were a shock to collectors spoiled by the striking designs of the previous five years. After the first series, Topps took the unusual step of changing its design in midstream - tightening the burlap look for more of a mesh. The set is among the more plentiful and is also popular with signed card collectors. Rookies such as Ryan and Bench are collector favorites. The 1968 high-demand Tigers subset contains several very tough autos - Joe Sparma (d. 1986), Norm Cash (d. 1986), Ray Oyler (d. 1981) and Mayo Smith (d. 1977). The set also features the first cards of tough autos Danny Frisella (d. 1977), Bob Moose (d. 1976) and Don Wilson (d. 1975)

1969 Topps Signed Cards

Topps rebounded again with a return to its popular 1967 motif - and increased the set to a record 664 card size. Ted Williams returned to a Topps card after a 10 year absence - appearing on his own plus in a multi-player card with Mike Epstein. The set features numerous variations but for signed card collectors, it's the high demand NY Mets that will make a dent in the budget. In addition to gorgeous cards of stars Seaver and Ryan, the 1969 Gil Hodges (d. 1972) is among the toughest. In addition to the usual toughies, the 1969 Topps set features a return to the bench of two NY favorites - Joe Gordon (d. 1978) piloted the Royals after an 8 year absence and Billy Martin (d. 1989) reappeared on his first Topps card since 1962. Other manager cards which represent an autograph challenge are Durocher (d. 1991), Walt Alston (d. 1984), and Mayo Smith (d. 1977). The 1969 Topps set also features the final card of Mickey Mantle (d. 1995).

1969 Deckles Signed Cards