Many of the images used in the set are from the same set of photos used in the 1955 Bowman set — just look for Connie Mack Stadium the background. Topps must of acquired the images when it bought Bowman, and used them in the Hires set. The knothole design was one Bowman was considering for its 1956 set when it sold.
As for trimming, I'm wondering if those many narrow cards you see a lot were just miscut?
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