I started collecting in 77-78, and they weren't massively uncommon in the Boston area at the time.
The story the local card shop told me-
The 74 deckles were released as a test through White Hen Pantry, (A local convenience store chain at the time and almost my neighbor hood store)
Since there were a few collectors/dealers in the area, at most stores one person bought everything. Probably the same person at multiple stores too.
That apparently messed up the test, to the point where Topps sort of stopped doing test issues.
I have no idea if that's at all accurate as I moved to town in late 77 so I missed it by a few years.
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