Tom Bartsch

By Doug Koztoski Beach activities can vary like the different kinds of seashells the surf brings to shore: flicking a Frisbee, strolling along the water’s edge, riding waves, searching for coins and jewelry using a metal detector or relaxing on a towel, to name just a little red bucketful. As a 10-year-old in the summer of 1974, Jason Schlossberg and his two brothers spent part of their time combing Compo Beach in Westport, Conn., trying to find sports cards.

By George Vrechek In a previous article, SCD spoke with retired Topps Director of Photography Butch Jacobs about the process of selecting photos for baseball cards (click here to read). We continue that thread by looking at Topps football card photos with input from Jacobs and others. Cameras, film, lenses and printing techniques improved dramatically in the 1970s. Topps baseball cards evolved from fuzzy, distant action photos and stiff portraits to close-up game photos and candid portraits.

By George Vrechek In a previous article, SCD spoke with retired Topps Director of Photography Butch Jacobs about the process of selecting photos for baseball cards (click here to read). We continue that thread by looking at Topps football card photos with input from Jacobs and others. Cameras, film, lenses and printing techniques improved dramatically in the 1970s. Topps baseball cards evolved from fuzzy, distant action photos and stiff portraits to close-up game photos and candid portraits.