Show us your 1950 Topps Felt Backs

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Posted By: John S

An often overlooked vintage football set; most likely due to lack of overall star power and the extremely small size (7/8" x 1 7/16"). JoePa's only card...unfortunately I do not have a Paterno to share.

[Archive]

Posted By: Michael Blaisdell

Here is JoePa..............

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Can someone please post a really large image of Herb Rich from the set. I've never seen one.

Thanks.
Alan

[Archive]

Posted By: Clint

Alan, here's the Rich. I can't post any bigger, photobucket is not cooperating with me right now.

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Thanks Clint !!!

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Sad to report Herb Rich recently passed away:



Herb Rich, a three-sport star at Vanderbilt and defensive captain of the New York Giants when they won the NFL title in 1956, died Friday. He was 79.

Rich died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the school said.

Rich spent seven years in the NFL. The Baltimore Colts drafted him in the sixth round in 1950, and he averaged 23 yards on punt returns as a rookie. He won a championship with the Los Angeles Rams in 1951 and was a two-time All-Pro defensive back. He played for the Giants between 1954 and 1956.

He had 29 career interceptions in 65 pro games, including three returned for touchdowns.

Rich, born in Newark, N.J., was an all Southeastern Conference player at Vanderbilt who also lettered in basketball and baseball.

[Beansballcardblog]

I'm on lunch, so while eating I decided to google "1950 Topps Felt Back" and this thread came up. I've only been on the boards for a few months so obviously I'd never seen this one before. I'd be really interested to see it get kicked back up, though!

The #1 and #2 cards on my "want" list are from this set. The yellow and brown Pete Zinaich cards. I've only seen one yellow available for sale since I started looking back in the late summer. I can't even find an image of the brown.

I only have one card from this set, but I want to pick up some more. It will obviously take time, patience and money. I found this one on eBay for a price I was very happy with.

You Never Forget Your First

davisfront by kekinsley, on Flickr

davisback by kekinsley, on Flickr

I'd love to see what others have!

-Kin

[jefferyepayne]

Thanks for bumping this thread, Kin! Love when old threads are resurrected.

I like the Felt Backs a lot. I know many people don't like them because they are small and of college players. But there's some college and pro star power in this set! I've been working on the master set for a long time and haven't completed it yet. Down to just a handful, though.













Have to pull out my cards and do some more scanning!

jeff

[DBesse27]

Cool issue I knew nothing about.

[jefferyepayne]

I think I showed this piece in another thread at some point but it fits best here.

A Topps "Get Well" card with a pack of Varsity Gum on it that includes a Felt Back.



Here is the Felt Back that was in the pack. The glue holding the felt pennant onto the back is gone.



jeff

[Beansballcardblog]

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

I think I showed this piece in another thread at some point but it fits best here.

A Topps "Get Well" card with a pack of Varsity Gum on it that includes a Felt Back.



Here is the Felt Back that was in the pack. The glue holding the felt pennant onto the back is gone.



jeff

Jeff,

Awesome pics and I LOVELOVELOVE that card. I would never think to look for something like that, before now. I see the wrappers from time-to-time and will pick one up eventually. That card is at least on my radar now.

I only have the one of these currently, but I plan to "work" on the set. It will just be an even longer project than my All-American.

I'm curious as to how long you've been working on it and how far along you are on it. Also, have you even ever SEEN the brown version of #100 (Pete Zinaich)? I can only find one yellow for sale and can't even find an image of the brown version.

On your Davis, you mentioned the glue not holding the pennant. How common of an issue is this? There's a 3 card lot on eBay now and the seller mentioned that one of them is peeling. I thought that was a REALLY bad sign, but seeing yours makes me think it's somewhat common.

One final question - do you know of there have been write-ups on this set in the Gridiron Greats magazine? I looked through the available back issue summaries and couldn't find any that had something. I'm trying to collect as much info as I can on this set.

Have a great day!
-kin

[jefferyepayne]

Thanks!

One of the things I enjoy is trying to find companion pieces to the cards I collect. Wrappers, promo pieces, ads, giveaways, premiums, etc. make for nice display pieces and complement the cards. When I saw that Get Well card, I just had to have it.

I have a few other Felt Backs where the felt back has come off. You can always just glue them back together if you want. Not sure what kind of glue they used but dry air can dry it out. I left the one that came out of the Get Well card apart so I can show both sides of a near mint Felt Back. You don't see many in that condition!

My checklist says I have the brown and yellow Zinaich BUT, before we all get excited, my checklists have been known to be wrong :-( I usually don't check them until I think I'm done with the set and sometimes find out I checked something off by mistake. My checklist says I need 5 more to complete the master set. All browns or yellows as those are the hardest. When I saw your note about the Zinaich, I made a mental note that I should pull them all out and see where I'm really at. I'll do that sometime soon and post up the brown and yellow Zinaich assuming I really do have them.

My notes say I'm missing the following if anyone has any and wants to help me complete this set:

Hester (Yellow)
Mathews (Brown)
Sitko (Brown)
Staloni (Yellow)
Towler (Yellow)

Here is an image of the brown Zinaich from the internet:
http://www.tradingcarddb.com/ViewCar...a-Pete-Zinaich

I usually don't write articles on sets I haven't completed but just recently was noodling on doing an article for GG on Felt Backs. There has never been an article on the set in GG. I'll need to look through my notes to see where else info on the set has been written up and see what I can pull together.

jeff

[Beansballcardblog]

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

Thanks!

One of the things I enjoy is trying to find companion pieces to the cards I collect. Wrappers, promo pieces, ads, giveaways, premiums, etc. make for nice display pieces and complement the cards. When I saw that Get Well card, I just had to have it.

I have a few other Felt Backs where the felt back has come off. You can always just glue them back together if you want. Not sure what kind of glue they used but dry air can dry it out. I left the one that came out of the Get Well card apart so I can show both sides of a near mint Felt Back. You don't see many in that condition!

My checklist says I have the brown and yellow Zinaich BUT, before we all get excited, my checklists have been known to be wrong :-( I usually don't check them until I think I'm done with the set and sometimes find out I checked something off by mistake. My checklist says I need 5 more to complete the master set. All browns or yellows as those are the hardest. When I saw your note about the Zinaich, I made a mental note that I should pull them all out and see where I'm really at. I'll do that sometime soon and post up the brown and yellow Zinaich assuming I really do have them.

My notes say I'm missing the following if anyone has any and wants to help me complete this set:

Hester (Yellow)
Mathews (Brown)
Sitko (Brown)
Staloni (Yellow)
Towler (Yellow)

Here is an image of the brown Zinaich from the internet:
http://www.tradingcarddb.com/ViewCar...a-Pete-Zinaich

I usually don't write articles on sets I haven't completed but just recently was noodling on doing an article for GG on Felt Backs. There has never been an article on the set in GG. I'll need to look through my notes to see where else info on the set has been written up and see what I can pull together.

jeff

Jeff,

Thank you for all of the info!

I believe congratulations are in order just by being (hopefully) just five cards short of this set. I do look often on eBay, so I know how rare it even is for a new card to pop up on there. I've been checking auction houses too and they seem pretty rare.

I did completely have a brain fart. I knew that Zinaich brown was on that site. I actually have a screen shot of it that I tweet out once in awhile since it's #1 on my want list.

We do have a lot of shows in this area (typically 2-3 a month), but it's mostly the same sellers and not too much vintage, so it's rare I see anything new to pick up.

I would definitely love to see a piece in the GG magazine. I've bought the last issue and will buy the new one once it's "live." I need to just subscribe instead of ordering one at a time.

[toppcat]

Jeff I have details on this set if you are writing an article.

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by toppcat

Jeff I have details on this set if you are writing an article.

Thanks David! PM sent.

[jefferyepayne]

Well, good news is I have the brown Zinaich! Bad news is I can't find a yellow one so now I need the yellow Zinaich too. All of the rest of the ones I thought I had I found so my checklist is now accurate.

jeff

[skelly]

This really is an American Classic of a set that doesn't get much attention in the grand scheme of things. Personally I think the Doak Walker is a must have for any real serious collector who wants a diverse vintage football card collection.

[Beansballcardblog]

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

Well, good news is I have the brown Zinaich! Bad news is I can't find a yellow one so now I need the yellow Zinaich too. All of the rest of the ones I thought I had I found so my checklist is now accurate.

jeff

DOH!!! Now I will have to "compete" against you! HA!

I'll get mine. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday.

[jefferyepayne]

I coulda SWORN I had that card. Maybe I misplaced it and it will turn up.

In the meantime, GAME ON

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

I coulda SWORN I had that card. Maybe I misplaced it and it will turn up.

In the meantime, GAME ON

BAM! Picked up the Yellow Ziniach plus three others I need for my Feltback Master set.





jeff

[sockwell123]

Congrats! WTG

[Beansballcardblog]

sigh...

Originally Posted by jefferyepayne

BAM! Picked up the Yellow Ziniach plus three others I need for my Feltback Master set.





jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Is the brown or yellow more rare or does it vary by card? And does anyone know the reason for the variation? Was one issued before the other? Thanks.

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by TanksAndSpartans

Is the brown or yellow more rare or does it vary by card? And does anyone know the reason for the variation? Was one issued before the other? Thanks.

I wrote an article on this set for a recent Gridiron Greats Magazine. Did you see it? Was a few issues ago.

Apparently Topps ran out of brown ink during printing and switch that panel of 25 cards to yellow. For a long time it was believe that the yellow version of these cards were more scarce but that has been shown not to be true. Browns are much tougher than yellows to find.

jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks Jeff! I really appreciate it. I let my GG lapse, I'll pick up issue 58. You call it 1949 - interesting!

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by TanksAndSpartans

Thanks Jeff! I really appreciate it. I let my GG lapse, I'll pick up issue 58. You call it 1949 - interesting!

Yes, it has been verified that this set was available by late 1949 so should actually be designated by that year. That article talks about some of the proof that this is true.

jeff

[jefferyepayne]

One thing I've been puzzling over is which color Topps ran out of when they switched from Brown to Yellow. The obvious answer is they ran out of Brown! But I'm not so sure. We all know Topps was extremely cheap and tried to pinch pennies at ever turn. I would imagine Topps often purchased standard primary colors (that were probably the cheapest options in bulk) and mixed them together to get other colors they wanted for their cards.

In the case of the 1949 Topps Felt Backs, the other three backgrounds are primary colors: Red, Green, and Blue. Brown can be made by mixing a primary color with its complement. The only primary/complement color combo comprised of Red, Green, and Blue that makes both Brown and Yellow are Red and Green. My guess is that Topps ran low on Red ink and reduced the amount of Red in the mix, changing the background color from Brown to Yellow.

Any thoughts on this?

jeff