Actually, I like that idea of maybe testing the waters with a small mini 30s or 50s set like any of the awards sets size for example. Maybe 5 - 7 cards.
Also, I agree with Tom (crackedjerk) that the 80s and 90s would be a priority over the 30s and whatever for any first offshoot era.
As far as 30s or 50s, go for it! Pick a decade and then go with a handful of the best of the best, those products that would definitely ring a bell of familiarity. See how it goes!
I don't see why the 80s would have to necessarily take priority. I would assume that this would be a full set (30 cards,) and I believe this set would sell just as well as OS6. I'd also suggest that this set is long overdue and anxiously awaited.
People are either going to like and buy either set, or they are not. I don't think that releasing one set before the other would affect the sales of the second. Why should it, providing the sets are not released too close together? I do think that the 80s set might sell better, however, based on product familiarity/age of customer base. The only strong reason I can see to release the 80s set first is to keep the snowball rolling with Topps. Another round of sold out sets should definitely pave the way for a 30s or 50s nod of approval.
Plus, if I am reading between the lines correctly, you've been aching to do a pre 70s set for some time, now. The idea keeps growing; the feeling keeps getting stronger. Once this happens, of course, you know there's only one thing to be done. And, if by chance a pre 70s set was released first, this would keep the WP excitement and momentum going while you work on and fine tune the larger 80s set. Kind of like when bands would release an EP of 3 or 4 songs in between their major albums to keep the interest alive.
"Old School" - Series 6 - Released November 2017"30 Card Base Set Plus Rendered in the Vintage Wacky Packages Tradition!"
Coming March 2018 - "Old School Through Time" - Series 1: The 1930s"Suffering from WP withdrawal? Then we have just the set for you!"
"9 Card Base Set Featuring Sailor Jack, Bingo, and Mr. Peanut as You've Never Seen Them Before!"
"Outrageously Affordable and Outrageously Funny!"
Coming July 2018 - Old School 80s - Series 1"You Asked For It, Now Here It Is! The 1980s!"
"30 Card Base Set Plus!"
Suggestion: Call pre 70s series "Old School Through Time" or "Blast From the Past," and post 70s series "Old School" or "Old School (19)80s - Series 1" etc..