This may not serve much purpose, but I noticed that the right side black border on the Variation A '52 Topps Mantle actually curves or bends inward as it runs toward the bottom of the card (see image for example). The right border on the Variation B Mantle runs perfectly straight.
Maybe this is one way to detect counterfeits, as some fakes will not exhibit this odd feature if it's trying to mimic an authentic Var. A Mantle.
This might also help explain why the centering can sometimes look a bit odd on the right side of the Var. A Mantle card, creating the illusion of a slight tilt on only that side.
I wonder also if anyone else noticed this before.
