BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
Not only was Topps the number one producer of sports cards in the 1970s, they also led the league in non-sports card popularity – and “Wacky Packages” led the way.
Wacky Packages were stickers issued in packs similar to baseball and other sports cards. What made them so popular was that they depicted parodies that made fun of common products of the day and were considered a bit “out there.” They could be clever. They could be dumb. They could be gross. But they were amusing … especially to their core audience: Grade school youngsters.
Some parents and teachers frowned upon them. (Too rebellious?) The fact they were stickers that could be plastered all over the place probably didn’t help. Yet, those factors may have only increased their popularity. Wacky Packages sort of represented an – to use an old ’60s term – “anti-establishment” attitude.
In addition, many of the companies whose products were targeted by Wacky Packages, lacked a sense of humor and took legal action against Topps. (Lighten up, dudes. It was only a kids’ product.)
Some collectors speculate that in order to help appease those firms Topps even parodied their own products. In fact, over the four years – and 16 series – between 1973-76, Topps issued parody stickers of five of their own sports card sets. In addition, they even made stickers poking fun at another of their card issues and at Wacky Packages themselves.
Below, is a comparison between the actual Topps sports card packs sold during the mid-’70s and the Wacky Packages version. (The stickers came with thick black borders, which have been cropped off the photos below so the comparisons between the real packs and the parodies are easier.)
3rd Series Sticker
The first Wacky take-off on baseball cards was “Beanball” which was part of the 3rd series issued in 1973. During the ’73 season, Topps used several different baseball pack designs and the one shown (above left) is probably the closest to the Wacky version.
3rd Series Sticker
Football was also parodied in the Wacky Packages third series. This time, the original pack and the Wacky Pack look much more alike.
9th Series Sticker
Not to be left out, Topps hockey cards got the Wacky Packages treatment a year later in the 9th series. (Interestingly, Topps basketball cards escaped a Wacky parody during the 1970s.)
12th Series Sticker
It was rare for Wacky Packages to repeat products during the 1973-76 period. However, both football and baseball cards were among the products making an encore appearance with a newly-designed second sticker. The new football Wacky was issued in 1975 as part of the 12th series.
13th Series Sticker
The final new Wacky Packages sticker to focus on a Topps sports card product in the ’70s was the 1975 baseball issue in the 13th series.
Two more Wacky Packages …
Although neither was directly related to sports, two more Wacky Packages from Series 4 and Series 11 are worth mentioning here. Like baseball, football and hockey, they involved making fun of retail packs issued by Topps themselves.
11th Series Sticker
After the success of the original five “Planet of the Apes” movies between 1968-73, it was somewhat predictable that a TV series would come next. Even though CBS – and almost everyone – assumed it would be a hit. It wasn’t. Viewers just didn’t go bananas over the show. Poor ratings forced cancellation in the fall of 1974 after just 13 episodes were broadcast. (A 14th was filmed, but not shown at the time.) Apparently, too many primates spoil the broth.
The folks at Topps also had high hopes for a “Planet of the Apes” television series, so much so that they issued a 66-card non-sport set to coincide with the series’ premiere. Perhaps because it was expected to be popular, the company also issued a Wacky Packages parody sticker.
Pack Found in Retail Stores
4th Series Sticker
“Wormy Packages” was released in the 4th series immediately following “Beanball” and “Foolball.”
The Wacky Packages of the 1973-76 period were neither the first nor last of Topps’ Wackys, but they are often considered the classic era of the genre. Wackys were first issued in 1967 and at various times since 1976. For the past 20-plus years, Topps has continued issuing new series of Wacky Packages to the delight of a whole new generation of collectors.
See related Wacky Packages article on BaseballCardFun.com entitled:
“Non-Sports Cards Offer Great Collecting Fun and Variety”
Click Link Here
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