1973/74 Topps Basketball is one of the most challenging unopened basketball products from the 1970s to find. After the 1971/72 issue, it is arguably the second toughest unopened box to acquire. What makes this box particularly special is that it is a “jumbo” oversized box containing 36 unopened packs, as opposed to the typical 24 packs found in a standard 1973/74 Topps basketball wax box. We have encountered only a very small number of these rare 36-pack boxes.

Adding to its uniqueness, the packs inside this box contain 1973/74 Topps basketball cards but are wrapped using 1972/73 Topps wrappers. This practice reflects a known instance where Topps reused leftover wrappers from the previous year. While rare, this occurrence is not entirely unheard of, especially with these two years. Similar examples exist in other sports products, such as 1979, 1980, and 1981 football packs all using 1979 wrappers.

Advanced collectors will also recognize the significance of the small piece of masking tape on the edge of the box (visible in the item photos). This tape serves as a piece of provenance from Topps, often found on items originating from a Topps employee or executive. The date written on the tape typically represents the issue and other internal Topps data. While it’s impossible to confirm with 100% certainty that this display box originally contained these 36 packs, several factors strongly support the likelihood. The box itself comes from an old Topps employee, and the packs inside are entirely consistent in wrapper centering, color, and detail. We are fairly confident that these packs belong to this display box as issued by Topps.

Moreover, the rarity of 1973/74 packs being wrapped in 1972/73 wrappers further underscores this product’s authenticity as an original release. While the set features only one rookie Hall of Fame card, Bob McAdoo, it more than makes up for this with a substantial selection of key Hall of Fame cards.