1952 TOPPS Hi #'s mixed in with 1953 TOPPS 1st Series cards.....True or False ?

[tedzan]

In a current Net54 thread post, I noted that TOPPS intermixed 1952 High numbers with 1953 (1st series) cards in their initial release in the Spring of 1953 (Quote below).

I received an email from a Net54 member telling me this never happened. I chose not to argue with him. So, my question to you all (particularly you old dudes....like me)
Do you recall opening the blue TOPPS wax-packs in the Spring of 1953, and finding 1952 Hi #'s, or a combination of these 1952 cards with 1953 (Lo #) cards ?



. .

Originally Posted by tedzan

Hi John

An old friend of mine grew up in the Great Smoky Mountain region of North Carolina, and he collected 1952 and 1953 TOPPS cards when he was a youngster.

Furthermore, he remembers opening up 1953 TOPPS wax-packs which also had 1952 TOPPS Hi #'s mixed in with 1953 TOPPS cards.

Apparently, the TOPPS Co. had lots of left over 1952 Hi #'s which they stuffed into the 1953 wax-packs in the Spring of 1953.

So, it is possible that the Mantle card you alluded to could have been a 1952 card.

TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[savedfrommyspokes]

A collection from a family friend in GA I viewed a few years ago was heavy with 1st series, lower numbered 1953 Topps cards, including 2 Mantle cards. However, there were no high numbered 1952 Topps cards in his collection which had remained untouched since the mid-50s until I viewed the cards.

[JRumierz]

I have a 1952 Topps carrying Buck Barker's notation that it was purchased in 1953 by him. Owen Ricker reported 50 years ago that he bought mixed '52 and '53 in packs in Western Canada. That's not to say that Topps did this routinely.
Local wholesalers to "Dime Stores" would take warehouse clearances and repackaged them for sale locally. I bought 3rd Series '52 25 in a cellophane "pack" for a 10C in '61. The '54-'55 Topps Hockey was sold again in cellophane packaging 25 for a dime in 1957-8. Jay Barry reported buying complete sets of '51 Red and Blue backs in Detroit Dime Stores much after 1951.
Much went on that isn't formally documented like Sivercup bread putting 1955 Topps in their loaves (Detroit). Even as a kid I was disappointed that the card inside was identical to the Bubble Gum card.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by JRumierz

I have a 1952 Topps carrying Buck Barker's notation that it was purchased in 1953 by him. Owen Ricker reported 50 years ago that he bought mixed '52 and '53 in packs in Western Canada. That's not to say that Topps did this routinely.
Local wholesalers to "Dime Stores" would take warehouse clearances and repackaged them for sale locally. I bought 3rd Series '52 25 in a cellophane "pack" for a 10C in '61. The '54-'55 Topps Hockey was sold again in cellophane packaging 25 for a dime in 1957-8. Jay Barry reported buying complete sets of '51 Red and Blue backs in Detroit Dime Stores much after 1951.
Much went on that isn't formally documented like Sivercup bread putting 1955 Topps in their loaves (Detroit). Even as a kid I was disappointed that the card inside was identical to the Bubble Gum card.

Hey John
Good to see you posting and thanks for the info. You are a great reason to go to the national, for me, but my guess is I wait till next year in Chicago.

For anyone that doesn't know, John, imo has more knowledge of baseball cards than almost anyone I know. And I know a few people. And if you want to chat with him he will be the first table when you walk in the National, always.
.
.

[whiteymet]

Originally Posted by Leon

Hey John
Good to see you posting and thanks for the info. You are a great reason to go to the national, for me, but my guess is I wait till next year in Chicago.

For anyone that doesn't know, John, imo has more knowledge of baseball cards than almost anyone I know. And I know a few people. And if you want to chat with him he will be the first table when you walk in the National, always.
.
.

I second Leon's words above about John's knowledge of of ALL sports cards. His memory is off the charts. I have known John since the early 70's and he can tell me trades we made in 1973 that I have no recollection of or if I even collected those sets then!

He is always willing to discuss any sets you have a question about. Also his collection is second to none! Just don't try to get anything out of his collection. It won't happen!

[Clutch-Hitter]

enigma1132 on EBay? If so, I’ve bought from him many times. I like browsing his and kryvintage’s stuff.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by whiteymet

I second Leon's words above about John's knowledge of of ALL sports cards. His memory is off the charts. I have known John since the early 70's and he can tell me trades we made in 1973 that I have no recollection of or if I even collected those sets then!

He is always willing to discuss any sets you have a question about. Also his collection is second to none! Just don't try to get anything out of his collection. It won't happen!

Knowing John (hi John) a little bit, that has never even crossed my mind (seriously).
.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by JRumierz

I have a 1952 Topps carrying Buck Barker's notation that it was purchased in 1953 by him. Owen Ricker reported 50 years ago that he bought mixed '52 and '53 in packs in Western Canada. That's not to say that Topps did this routinely.
Local wholesalers to "Dime Stores" would take warehouse clearances and repackaged them for sale locally. I bought 3rd Series '52 25 in a cellophane "pack" for a 10C in '61. The '54-'55 Topps Hockey was sold again in cellophane packaging 25 for a dime in 1957-8. Jay Barry reported buying complete sets of '51 Red and Blue backs in Detroit Dime Stores much after 1951.
Much went on that isn't formally documented like Sivercup bread putting 1955 Topps in their loaves (Detroit). Even as a kid I was disappointed that the card inside was identical to the Bubble Gum card.

Thanks John for chiming in with your extensive knowledge.

You have confirmed what my old time buddy, Ralph, from the Smoky Mountains (NC) told me many years ago regarding TOPPS intermixing '52T Hi #'s in wax-packs containing
their 1st series 1953 cards in the Spring of 1953.

Looking forward to seeing you at the National next month.



TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[jbsports33]

Ted - not to my knowledge have I ever seen that happen, but maybe no one knows now - anyways hope you are well!

and see you are in Maine as well - have you thought about doing the Boston Show

Jimmy

[GasHouseGang]

I feel like John and Ted Z should write down a lot of this hobby lore and what they personally experienced before it's all forgotten and lost to the ages. I appreciate how many things Ted has posted about as someone that was there when many of the early Topps, Bowman, Bond Bread, etc. were issued. John needs to chime in on these things too when he has the chance. I see he's only posted 9 times. I think we need to hear more from these hobby veterans.

[parkerj33]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Thanks John for chiming in with your extensive knowledge.

You have confirmed what my old time buddy, Ralph, from the Smoky Mountains (NC) told me many years ago regarding TOPPS intermixing '52T Hi #'s in wax-packs containing
their 1st series 1953 cards in the Spring of 1953.

Looking forward to seeing you at the National next month.



TED Z

T206 Reference
.

Ted, it wasn't clear to me in John's post whether his friend that bought 53s with 52s in western canada actually had them in blue 53 was packs or if they were a repacked cellophane deal done by some distributor. Its a subtle nuance, and I am understanding your contention that your friend ralph DID find blue 53 waxers with the 52 hi# in them.

- jp

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by parkerj33

Ted, it wasn't clear to me in John's post whether his friend that bought 53s with 52s in western canada actually had them in blue 53 was packs or if they were a repacked cellophane deal done by some distributor. Its a subtle nuance, and I am understanding your contention that your friend ralph DID find blue 53 waxers with the 52 hi# in them.

- jp

Hi Jim

I just reviewed John's post, and I know what you are asking. I will email John for more information regarding this.

My conversation (52/53 TOPPS) with my friend Ralph was 40 years ago. Ralph passed away 8 years ago, otherwise
I would have contacted him regarding whether he was pulling cards from wax-packs or the cellophane packs.


TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[gnuche]

I had similar situation as John. A local mom and pop store was taking cards from somewhere(maybe one of his own kids?) and was putting them in any wrapper he could find. I was buying packs of baseball cards that had World on wheels and Davy Crockett cards in them. Obviously they didn't come from Topps that way.

[T205 GB]

Think of all the packs through the years that have had errors, wrong backs/fronts for series, wrong backs/fronts for sport, wrong issues, wrong series, and so on inserted into the pack. It happens a lot today so I am sure it happened in the past as well. I believe there was some Topps issues in the mid 70's that had wrong cards issued in the packs with the correct ones. I want to say 76-77? May be another isolated incident like the 50's cards. Maybe a person at Topps said the hell with it and loaded up their last 52's in the packaging machine with the new 53's and let it rip. Probably thought they were helping Topps make money instead of disposing of them. Add now that they may have went to Canada to be distributed and someone is not going to care about a case or two of cards. You can figure the average American sentiment in the early 50's was FU to every country other than America. Very plausible scenario but without real proof we only have a guess.

Anyone ever think the store owners would open and then reseal the packs with other cards so they could keep the best ones?

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by T205 GB

Think of all the packs through the years that have had errors, wrong backs/fronts for series, wrong backs/fronts for sport, wrong issues, wrong series, and so on inserted into the pack. It happens a lot today so I am sure it happened in the past as well. I believe there was some Topps issues in the mid 70's that had wrong cards issued in the packs with the correct ones. I want to say 76-77? May be another isolated incident like the 50's cards. Maybe a person at Topps said the hell with it and loaded up their last 52's in the packaging machine with the new 53's and let it rip. Probably thought they were helping Topps make money instead of disposing of them. Add now that they may have went to Canada to be distributed and someone is not going to care about a case or two of cards. You can figure the average American sentiment in the early 50's was FU to every country other than America. Very plausible scenario but without real proof we only have a guess.

Anyone ever think the store owners would open and then reseal the packs with other cards so they could keep the best ones?

I don’t think store owners were interested in the baseball cards. They were just trying to make a living. So, no,to open &resealing packs to get the best cards.