1956 Topps question

[wdwfan]

Okay, so got a question about 1956 Topps. I notice there's a GB (gray back) and WB (white back). Which is the parallel, and which is the base? I'm thinking about starting the set and was curious. I want to only do the base set and not any parallels (like the green tints in 62 or the WASH variation in 74 for example).

I've got 1 card and it's got kind of a brownish back. I'm guessing that's the gray back version. It's Paula (#4), so am curious if it's a parallel or a base cards.

Any help is appreciated.

[Cliff Bowman]

1 through 180 were printed with both white backs and gray backs, if I remember correctly 1-100 are slightly more difficult to find with gray backs and 101-180 are definitely more difficult to find with white backs.

[hcv123]

Okay, so got a question about 1956 Topps. I notice there's a GB (gray back) and WB (white back). Which is the parallel, and which is the base? I'm thinking about starting the set and was curious. I want to only do the base set and not any parallels (like the green tints in 62 or the WASH variation in 74 for example).

I've got 1 card and it's got kind of a brownish back. I'm guessing that's the gray back version. It's Paula (#4), so am curious if it's a parallel or a base cards.

Any help is appreciated.

base? Parallel? Isn't this the post war, not modern forum?

[wdwfan]

Yes it is. But I can't afford both colors (2 of every card) for my set. I just would like to put a base set together. Hence why I'm not doing green tint SP, parallel, whatever on the 62s. I was curious which 56s are considered the base and which isn't.

base? Parallel? Isn't this the post war, not modern forum?

[Jenx34]

There is not much differentiation between the backs in cards 1-100, There is a definite premium on the white backs from 101-180. After 180, they are all gray.
Note, there are also color line variations on the #5 Ted Williams card. Search for the thread on here detailing those.

[darkhorse9]

I did my entire set in grey back. I like the uniformity of it.

[ALR-bishop]

In those days Topps used whatever stock was available during a series, and sometimes used different stocks in the same series. That happened in several years including 1952, 1954, 1956, 1959 and 1960. Some collect both stocks as being part of a super master set, some collect all one stock for uniformity sake, and some mixed, caring more about fronts. I do not think either gray or white is considered base but if having one type appeals to you agree with suggestion above that it may be easier and cheaper to go gray. But I think a mixed set is still a set

Someone mentioned the Williams card having line variations. Many of the cards in the set have printing offsets that result in such lines, including the Williams. They are interesting print defects that impact many cards in the set, but if you are avoiding 1962 green tints, run as fast as possible from the 56 line differences :-)

Good luck on the set

[bobsbbcards]

Yes it is. But I can't afford both colors (2 of every card) for my set. I just would like to put a base set together. Hence why I'm not doing green tint SP, parallel, whatever on the 62s. I was curious which 56s are considered the base and which isn't.

It's not what you're buying or not buying that Howard was noticing. It's your choice of the words "Base" and "Parallel". Those are reserved for modern/shiny sets where the manufacturer intentionally makes two or more similar runs of the same cards (plain, chrome, black chrome, silvery-black chrome, peanut). On non-modern cards, the words just don't work. Not criticizing you--just explaining what a veteran collector hears when you use them. :)

Master set, errors, printing variations do have meaning for "vintage" collectors. Good luck with your collection!!!

[ALR-bishop]

Bob, for example, is known for his squashed bug variations.