It is frequently said that the 1971 Topps baseball set is extremely condition-sensitive, and difficult to assemble in high grade.  This beautiful complete set is an illustration of exactly how difficult, and what a time-consuming process it is to build a truly high-grade set.  For it is not just the "susceptible to chipping" black borders that cause difficulty, it is also the Topps quality control, leading to centering issues, miscuts, odd cuts that result in cards not meeting the minimum size requirements and more.

Presented here is a beautiful complete set, assembled carefully by an advanced collector with a keen eye for quality. The ungraded set is displayed in a handsome MJ Roop binder and at first glance is extremely pleasing to the eye, a higher-grade collection.  A close and careful assessment of condition reveals a technical breakdown of 2% NM, 16% EX/MT, 33% EX, 36% VG/EX, 12% VG, and a few lesser, including a few that are likely trimmed or unlikely to meet the minimum size requirement of a grading company.  The primary flaw with these cards is centering, with well-centered examples difficult throughout the issue.  Of course, chipping at the edges and corners from even the slightest handling exacerbates the issue.  

A condition breakdown of the key cards is as follows: #5 Munson (VG/EX); #20 Jackson (G - Miscut), #26 Blyleven (VG), #45 Hunter (VG), #50 McCovey (VG/EX), #55 Carlton (VG/EX), #100 Rose (VG), #110 Mazeroski (EX), #117 Simmons (VG), #140 Perry (VG/EX), #160 Seaver (EX), #180 Kaline (VG/EX), #183 Hodges (EX/MT), #210 Carew (VG/EX), #230 Stargell (VG), #250 Bench (VG), #264 Morgan (EX), #280 Jenkins (VG/EX), #300 B. Robinson (VG/EX), #325 Marichal (EX), #341 Garvey (EX), #350 B. Williams (EX/MT), #361 Sutton (VG/EX), #380 T. Williams (VG/EX), #384 Fingers (VG/EX), #400 Aaron (EX), #450 Gibson (VG/EX), #513 Ryan (VG/EX), #525 Banks (VG/EX), #530 Yastrzemski (EX), #550 Killebrew (EX), #574 Bunning (EX), #580 Perez (VG/EX), #600 Mays (VG/EX), #605 Cepeda (VG/EX), #625 Brock (EX/MT), #630 Clemente (VG/EX), #640 F. Robinson (EX).  A tremendous set, with sharp, clean surfaces and mild signs of handling.  752 cards total.