1982 Topps color variation
 

Hi, I did a search on Net54 but I couldn't find any references to these. I know that the 82 Topps has the blackless version, but the card I have appears to be missing the brown. I don't think fading is an issue, this appears to be consistent throughout the card. I don't see anything in the Standard Catalog. Is this common?

Thanks, Rick

1982
 

I managed to put together a set of the 82 Blackless. While doing that, I bought a dozen or so "Blueless" cards from one of the sellers I used. Those ( which are not listed anywhere that I know about), like the Blackless cards, have regular backs. I have not previously seen "Brownless" versions. Intersting addition to the mix. I know the Blackless cards did get distributed in packs. Not sure about the Blueless and your Brownless.

Sounds silly just talking about them...kind of like the Chrysler ads about a semi hemi

Al
 

Thanks for the info, Al. It must have been an interesting journey putting together the complete blackless set. There can't be many of them around.

Rick

82 Blackless
 

I know of one other demented individual who has one, and sometimes posts here :)

Question re 1982 Topps-Ripken color variation
 

Hi Al,
Although I don't collect post-1975 cards and know almost nothing about them, I picked up these 2 Cal Ripken rookies about 15-20 years ago, only because I was a Ripken fan. I think the card on the right is missing one of its colors (yellow?). The backs of these cards are identical. Can you tell me anything about this color variation? Is it very desirable to collectors? Would it be valued any differently than the normal card? Many thanks in advance for your insight.
Val

1982 color Variation
 

Val

As I mentioned I have about a dozen 82s that lack the blue ink that I got on ebay a couple of years ago as a whim since I had put together a set of the Blackless cards ( 396). The reason I started on the Blackless cards is because they have a full listing in the SCD Big Book ( p 1003/2010 of the current book). The Blackless are listed as worth $ 5500 there. I doubt they are really worth that much but can say that it would be hard and somewhat expensive to put together a full set. The 396 cards appeared on 3 print sheets A, B & C, with B and C cards seeming to be much more scarce.

Those Blackless print defect cards did get distributed in packs and have regular backs ( the Blueless as well). Yours ( Yellowless ?) and the ones above ( Brownless ?) apparently have regular backs as well . Which sheets ( marked on back) do those two come from ?

I do not know if these other missing color cards exist in as many cards as the Blackless ( 396), but they would seem to be scarcer than the blackless cards ( 1 of 1 ?), which the Big Book speculates exist in less that 100 each ( and in my experience may not exist in that many cards if they are from the B or C sheets)


I do not know how you could value the ones not in the Catalog since you would have to create a market for them. The Blackless sold well for awhile when a few idiots like me and Bob were putting together sets, but the market for them now seems to lag, partly because sellers put fairly high BINS on them. The recent seller of the Blueless also had high BINs and did not sell many, except a few star cards to what I assume are specialty collectors. You can probably still check the completed listing for 1982 Blueless and see what sold and for how much. I would guess the Brownless and Yellowless would sell for similar prices to similar buyers, but really don't know. Look at the listing for the completed Blueless and you will see a "master" at trying to "create" a market"

My prediction is in 75 years, 1982 Topps will then be the new monster with all kinds of front variations and many collectors will be arguing and debating on the Net99 baseball forum, about the reasons for variations and somehow Ted Z willl still be the expert on that board, making lists about which players are in which series and color and why!

1982 in 2085
 

I'll never know

Thanks Al!!
 

Al,
Many thanks for all your info and insight. I now see that my 2008 edition of the Standard Catalog also lists the Blackless cards with a total value of $5,500.

You asked which sheet my Yellowless #21 Ripken card comes from. I see an "F" followed by an * followed by a copyright symbol followed by "1982 TOPPS CHEWING GUM, INC." on the back of this card at the bottom - is this "F" the sheet designation you are asking about? Does this tell you anything important?
Val

1982 Color variation
 

Only that the card came from a different print sheet than the Blackless cards