Advertsing panels / salesman samples

[Footballdude]

I've got these cut cards from the 1957 Topps set, that I believe are from one of the 3-card advertising panels. I find these interesting but have no knowledge about them. Is there anything in print, anywhere, that details advertising panels, or salesman samples? Anyone here have a good knowledge of them?

Things I would love to find out:
What, precisely, was their purpose?
Were they printed along with the production runs of the cards, on the same sheets?
Were they printed on separate sheets, prior to the production runs?
Are there any known, full, uncut advertising panel sheets known?

Like I said, I know absolutely nothing about them, other than they seem to be rather scarce and prices seem to be quite high on them.

[Griffins]

Here is a thread on CU, it's about baseball but would apply to football. I've seen numerous 3 card football panels over the last few years so they do exist. http://forums.collectors.com/message...word1=salesman

[Footballdude]

Thanks for the link. I haven't visited the CU board in quite a few years, but I will keep an eye on that thread as well. Some good info in your post over there.

[obiwin]

Beckett price guide has started cataloging and pricing these advertising panels, listed at the end of the particular sets, and not generally considered part of the complete set. I will note however that Beckett is not yet comprehensive in cataloging these. For example, I have a 1973 Topps football 3 card blank back panel that is not currently listed in Beckett. I've also seen a few others from different years and sports that were also not listed.


The pricing in Beckett seems fairly accurate from what I've seen antecdotally. I saw what Beckett has listed as 1957 Topps football #AD1 go for about $650 or so in an auction a few months ago. Beckett's range is $400-$700 for it.

[obiwin]

Also just noticed that none of the 1957 Topps football cards in the photo you posted are currently cataloged in Beckett....

[Footballdude]

When you say Beckett price guide, are you referring to the monthly guide or the big, yearly book?

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by obiwin

Beckett price guide has started cataloging and pricing these advertising panels, listed at the end of the particular sets, and not generally considered part of the complete set. I will note however that Beckett is not yet comprehensive in cataloging these. For example, I have a 1973 Topps football 3 card blank back panel that is not currently listed in Beckett. I've also seen a few others from different years and sports that were also not listed.


The pricing in Beckett seems fairly accurate from what I've seen antecdotally. I saw what Beckett has listed as 1957 Topps football #AD1 go for about $650 or so in an auction a few months ago. Beckett's range is $400-$700 for it.

Are they listing Salesman Samples or just 3 card panels? Just because it's a 3 card panel doesn't mean it's a salesman sample. Topps didn't issue salesman samples past '67 (other than Heritage inserts that were issued starting in '08) and even during those years panels lacking ad copy just makes it a 3 card panel.

[Exhibitman]

Those are typical of the salesman samples of the era. The only way to establish value is to auction them off. Player collectors are the most likely purchasers for cut down sample cards [I bought a 1964 Koufax on a leaders card cut from a sample] but the guys you have there aren't heavily demanded, so your best bet is to sell them at auction.

[obiwin]

The exact wording that Beckett uses is "Advertising Panel"

@Footballdude: I was referring to Beckett's online price guide, though I just checked my 2010-11 hardcopy annual Beckett, and the 1957 football panels were listed in there.

Originally Posted by Griffins

Are they listing Salesman Samples or just 3 card panels? Just because it's a 3 card panel doesn't mean it's a salesman sample. Topps didn't issue salesman samples past '67 (other than Heritage inserts that were issued starting in '08) and even during those years panels lacking ad copy just makes it a 3 card panel.