Mantle Variations

[ALR-bishop]

Got this idea from Darren's prewar thread on New Years Resolutions.

I don't collect Mantle specifically except to the extent he appears in any Topps or Bowman set. I also collect variation or variant ( recurring print defects) cards with my sets, including Mantle.

I would be interested in a list of Topps or Bowman Mantle variations or variants, either in the base sets or in the insert or test sets. I have not gone back through my sets to make a list of what I have yet, but some I am aware of....

Topps 1952 Mantle...back stitching and several front differences from DP process

Topps 1956... Do not have any line differences between name and team boxes for his card but they mat exist since they do for many/most cards in the set

Topps 1957.... Degrees to which the little guy in background shows

Topps 1963... Bombers card...differences in bat knob between his legs

Topps 1964... Period or no period after Y in NY on back...from Lemke article in SCD

Topps 1967... Red print dot in top or bottom border on regular card, and back differences with McCauliffe on his checklist card....

Topps 1967... Two versions of both 67 Punch Outs captain pictures ( also line up differences), and two versions of 1967 Stand Up...die cut and proof

Topps 1969... White letter

Topps 1964 Tattoo...different background colors/shape

[Bestdj777]

Do you have the 1964 variation? I don't think I've seen that one.

As for your list, the only cards I can think of are the following:
1956 Topps: 2 variations: gray and white back variations (not aware of any additional variations from this year)
1964 Topps coin #131: 2 variations: right handed and left handed
1963 Topps Peel-Off: three variations: blank back; instruction back (hands at top); instruction back (hands bottom)
1964 Topps Tattoo: three variations: red triangle (yellow back); red triangle (red back); yellow
1967 Topps: three variations: the two you mentioned and the one without any red print dot (pictured below)
1969 Topps Checklist: two variations: Bosswell - full "L" and partial "L"

[sflayank]

You forgot the most important one
61 dice game....file copy with staple holes
Hand cut and factory cut....lol
56 white back and grey back

[ALR-bishop]

Yes, forgot the 61 Dice Pin Hole variant

On 56, besides the back stock difference, is there one of the colored line differences between the name/team boxes like on the Williams and many other 1956 cards.

I did not think to list the regular no red dot 67 version . The 64 coins, tattoos and 63 peel off are good additions. I need to check my 69 CL to see what I have

[Bestdj777]

Apart from the back color, I haven't seen any other differences between the 1956s. I'll have to take a closer look at mine once I get them out of storage.

Another addition is the big nose/small nose variation of the 1968 Plak.

If we are counting after market holes in the cards, I've got a number of additional variations to add to the list .

[ALR-bishop]

Chris-- that's a good one on the Plaks. I have the small nose version. Neither version looks much like him, sort of like the 65 Embossed

[Peter_Spaeth]

Topps 57 there are definitely two different tints, very green and more brownish. Maybe not what you were looking for as that is certainly not limited to Mantle.

[ALR-bishop]

Peter--I agree there are many color/tint differences in the 57 "muddy", as Anthony describes them, cards. It has been argued ( not by me ) Topps made more than one attempt to air brush out the guy in the background of the 57 Mantle card and that he exists in different degrees. It may just be wishful or inventive thinking

[brightair]

Hi Al,
The only red dot variation I have is the red dot over the S in Yankees, is that one you were referring to?
Richard D

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Peter--I agree there are many color/tint differences in the 57 "muddy", as Anthony describes them, cards. It has been argued ( not by me ) Topps made more than one attempt to air brush out the guy in the background of the 57 Mantle card and that he exists in different degrees. It may just be wishful or inventive thinking

It's not just the air brushed guy, it's the overall tint of the whole card, IMO.

[ALR-bishop]

Richard-- there are two recurring red dot versions. The one you mention and one where the dot is in the upper right front border. There are a couple of examples on eBay now, including one offered as a variation...for a lot ( not me)