1952 Topps #131-190 Gray Backs

[Doug]

Can someone fill me in on what the entire story is with the 1952 Topps #131-180 white/gray back cards? From what I have understood the gray backs were only sold in Canada. Does anyone know the reason for this variation?

[vintagetoppsguy]

Doug,

FWIW, that's what I've always understood as well.

Can anybody confirm?

Also, is there any price difference between the gray backs and white backs?

David

[Doug]

From what I understand the gray backs bring a strong premium due to their scarcity. Hopefully Ted Z or someone can fill us in on what the origins of these gray backed cards are.

[Doug]

It also seems like there was a similar situation with the 1954 Topps first series being issued with gray backs as well. Any connection?

[tedzan]

Here's my Billy Martin and Cass Michaels cards with the regular WHITE backs and the rare GRAY backs....note the color shading in the fronts.

I have 46 of the possible 60 cards in this series with this rare back. And, I've been searching for the remaining 14 cards for almost 20 years.
I know of only two veteran collectors in the hobby that have a complete run of all 60 cards.

I am still searching for the explanation of these cards. Over the years, various stories have been offered. But, no concrete evidence to back
them up.

Anyone here have an explanation for these Gray Backs ? One thing we can say about them....they were Short-Short-Printed.











TED Z

[toppcat]

I would hazard a guess they were subcontracted (much like 2nd series 10 years later that resulted in green prints) due to demand for the second series; likely to a printer in upstate NY. Some probably made it across to Canada due to the location of the plant, hence the belief they were sold there.

Where have pockets of these been found? I would posit the possibility of distribution around the Great Lakes but all this is merely educated guesswork, although I think they could resemble how the high numbers were sold as well, outside of Philly, Boston and New York. I can't see these being distributed beyond a small region.

I believe Topps used their old leaf tobacco distribution network for decades after the Shorin's stopped selling that product, so whatever those routes were some of their card distribution mirrors.

[tedzan]

I'll add that the one story regarding these rare cards that I've heard and I suspect is true is..that they were NOT sold with Bubble Gum products.
As there is no gloss on the fronts like the regular issue 1952 Topps cards.

Also, that Topps printed this series of 60 cards subsequent to the following series (#191 - #250). That would account for their backs have been
printed on Gray cardboard.



TED Z

[Doug]

I had read a theory that they were packaged in boxes of tissues. Is there any validity to that idea?

[tedzan]

A long-time hobby veteran told me that these cards were packaged with Doeskin tissues in the 1952-1953 timeframe.

Also, I heard that they were found in packs with Topps' Rails & Sails non-sports cards.


TED Z