I have no enthusiasm for blank back "cards".. am I alone?
 

To me, a baseball card just isn't a baseball card without something on the back side (or, somethin' on the backside', if you like :p)

Stats, advertising, bios, something. I love a well-designed back just about as much as the fronts!

I'm exaggerating a little bit in the name of spirited discussion, but does anybody else feel this way?

In general if an entire series/set was issued with Blank Backs, I can definitely see your point. But if it's a Proof or a Blank Back T206, those I find very interesting...those cards that should have back information but don't.

Bill

Blank backs are a blank palette. That said I have been a focused back collector since day one.

https://luckeycards.com/mayor.jpg

Agreed Bill

Concur.....and prefer player's stats on the back of cards.....

Who doesn't like looking at the back of a '69 Mantle and seeing his stats from every year??

Oh, for sure, that's a whole other thing and I agree.

Woah, I assume that is someone's doodling and not as-issued?

Couldn’t agree more. Ad backs are some of my favorite parts about collecting. With a blank back, it feels like you’re missing out on half the fun.

Here’s one of my favorites (not a baseball front btw)

Yes, that is doodling and the blank palette I was referring to..

and another cool blank back.
.

I tend to agree. I prefer ad backs, etc but it also depends on the card, the rarity/availability, the price etc.

It also depends if the cards have anything on the back or not. Some series like the Felix Mendelssohn are all blank back. Yet it has many great players and poses.

If my choice is getting a card I want or need that is a blank back or getting nothing

Then I personally prefer to pick up the blank back

The first major baseball cards set, and to some, the greatest baseball card set of all time is blank backed. In fact, to my way of thinking the three greatest baseball card sets of all time, Old Judge, T206, and M101-4/5 all have no stats on the back.

I feel the same way. If I can't learn something about the player, or at least see an advertisement of a local product I am not interested in it.

I am ok with the ad backs on t206. However, with t205 adding stats and a write up it changes the game. Anything after with a blank back or without something about the player isn't a real baseball card. It is just an oddity.

I must really like cards with blank backs, because I have whole scans that display nothing but them.

Brian

And now for some blank back cards individually scanned, thus highlighting the exciting array that awaits the blank back collector.

Brian

I think the Old Judge cards for me are the exception to my feelings.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...370&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...370&fit=bounds

Someone is/was practicing their "o's" Penmanship. Don't see that done today.

B.T.

Or perhaps this artist was trying to depict a series of cascading Slinkys.

Brian

I dont mind some of them :D

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3b065255_b.jpg

Brian,

Knowing the uniqueness of your collection, how do we know those aren't front scans of cards you got a hell of a deal on?

Phil, you have ratted me out. I usually like to keep my blazing hot blank front deals close to the vest.

Brian

Yeah, but 2 of these 3 great sets have neat advertisings on the backs!

Lucio, I completely agree with you. However, if one collects cards of a specific player and/or type cards, one can't avoid blank-back cards.

A blank back that I'm rather fond of.............

Chris, that's probably the beat Proof out there, glad you got it!

Here's mine...

Ok Brian, great post, now could you please, at least, post the fronts of the N172s. Yup, that was a great response!

The backs of cards play a large role in what I do as a collector. For instance, I am currently running down white/black letter bio variations in the 1953 Topps set as well as copy/no copyright variations in 1950 Bowman.

I always like your taste. I’m like five cards away from the 1953 3rd series black/white variations set, and have been focusing on the 1950 Bowman no copyrights. The 6th series no copyrights are pretty tough; the 7th series/sheet is a lot easier. The lack of big stars in the last two series is nice for this run.

Thanks, Greg, I feel the same way about your collection. The sheer scope of what you have managed to put together is staggering. Our conversations a few months back (or maybe even last year?? Time flies!) helped me hit my reset button. I'm getting back to slowing down and simply enjoying the cards again, irrespective of most of the condition hang ups I once had. I still have standards of course, but my entire approach is different now. The VGish '52 Bowman set I put together would never have happened with your example. Those '53 black/white bios are fun and not terribly expensive, and I'm enjoying them. Any excuse to get back into '53 Topps is one I will take. Same with the Bowman copyright/no copyright.

Hi Fred, no N172 (or 19th century) cards in those scans. But I like the idea that some of my blank backs could pass as Old Judge cards.

Brian

For me it depends on scarcity mostly. Collins McCarthy and Boston Store backs look cooler than 1917 blank backs, but the blanks are tougher to find, so I like them just as much. With e107s, I prefer the 150 back over the blank back. For like a 1921 Exhibit, it never really occurred to me to care about the back since they are all the same.