About the Set: The 1970-71 ABA All-Star 5×7 Picture Pack basketball cards are hard to call “cards.” Those searching for the set might be surprised to learn that they are simply pieces of 5″ x 7″ paper. In fact, the backs are completely blank. Fortunately, authenticity isn’t much of an issue with this set, but being only paper, it doesn’t hurt to compare image quality to a known sample and assess the stock and color of the paper. See the photo to the left that shows a sample against plain white computer paper as a background.
There is a beautiful simplicity to the “cards” which are simple black-and-white photos with the player name underneath and the team name at the bottom. There is no numbering on the cards, so are ordered in guides alphabetically by last name.
Despite the “cards” being paper, as well as the set itself being off-the-beaten-path of standard basketball card sets, they are a unique component of a complete basketball card collection, being listed as the first set in comprehensive price guides like the 2001 Standard Catalog of Basketball Cards. This guide lists the price of the set at $60, but frankly, the price is unpredictable because it is simply so difficult to find! Twelve All-Stars from the ABA make up this set with the first Rick Barry card being the highlight (although avid basketball fans will recognize many names, to the average fan, Rick Barry is one of the only recognizable players). The above-mentioned price guide lists the Barry at $15 and all other cards at $5, stressing the added importance of that card.
More information about individual cards here:
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