[brian1961]

I was by no means implying that Larry and Al's test issues were mainstream. I would never classify a test issue as mainstream. As we all know, Topps, the "mainstream" trading card company of the postwar, produced and printed a variety of test products whose print runs were micro-minuscule. These could never fit the mainstream category, though produced as they were by the mainstream company. Honestly, I'm puzzled you would derive such an implication from what I said.

OK, when I express the concept of "MAINSTREAM", I refer to items than are essentially penny apiece gum cards that were printed in large quantities at the time they were made, AND could be purchased cheaply for that one cent each, and were readily available to kids at various easily accessible outlets.

Sure, we can make somewhat of an exception to Topps' seventh series, but by and large the same was true. It's just that by the time the seventh series was printed and made available, grocers, druggists, etc. did not seem to order very many boxes. In some instances, just one box. Some even skipped the last series and went right into offering football.

Sure meant not to cause consternation here. Your taking the time to scan for us the 1959 Bazooka set is appreciated. I only own one card of those, and its AUTHENTIC, so I have nothing to crow about, but that's not my style anyway.

Thanks again, Bob. Cheers. ---Brian Powell