1970 Topps Willie Mays proof card mystery - help!
 

So I have this 1970 Willie Mays proof card. The paper stock to me looks clearly different from Topps - I've scanned a 1970 topps card next to it. Thoughts? Theories? Thanks.

The 1970 set was reprinted at least once (I know because I somehow managed to purchase a reprinted Munson rookie). The Mays could be a reprint.

Clearly looks short and also looks hand cut.

I have no idea, but looks cool...

I have two similar cards, however, they are from a mid series. They are both just slightly short t/b, but measure up l/r. The card stock seem slightly thinner than a regular issue card. I have always assumed that these two cards were some sort of pre-production proof due to the thinner card stock. The red line is not on the card backs, but due to my scanner.

Proof Cards
 

They all look like proof cards which were blank backed. A lot of them were hand cut as they were taken out the back door and cut up. Jeff W

reponses
 

Larry: It looks like the backs of yours match up with the back of the Mays - all of which appear different than the issued cards.

Jeff (or anyone else with the expertise) - If you know would proofs have been printed on different paper stock than the final production - could it have been a test of paper stock?

Thanks all.

Howard

Topps did a 1970 cloth stock test so would not put it past them to do a paper one too at the same time. If so I would expect the cards to all be from the same sheet. I;ve never seen reference to it but they did a lot of stuff no one notices (until someone does) back then.