Fluorescence, Maybe O/T Here...

[jingram058]

Just noticed that all 436 of my 1962 Topps fluoresce under my blacklight flashlight. Pretty interesting to see. So, too, all my other post-war Topps and Bowman cards that I have tested. The only 1940s post-war card I have is a 1949 Satchell (sp) Paige (relax, it has a thumbtack hole), and I can't get to it just now. But, all my 1941, 40, 39 Play Balls and 1933, 34 Goudeys and on back tobacco and candy cards do not. I have read that ink changed in the 1940s. Must have been after WW2. What was the reason that ink changed? Anyone have an interesting fluorescence story?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Often not the ink but the brighteners that are used on the paper.

[FrankWakefield]

Optical brighteners began to be added to paper to make it brighter, whiter, after World War II. I don't think it's the ink on your 1962 Topps that is fluorescing, it is the paper itself.

I'm glad to hear that you're shining your black light on cards. I wish more folks would use those.

First time I was glad I used one was with a Remar card for a Pacific Coast League set, from 1946 or 1947, I think. I got it in an eBay auction. It blasted bright blue when the light hit it, the dozen or so other Remar cards I had didn't fluoresce at all. I messaged the seller, told him that it fluoresced and it shouldn't, it was not genuine. I asked him to refund my payment and double shipping fees so I could be refunded those and could also send it back. He refunded payment and shipping and said to not bother sending it back. From the words he chose I inferred that he knew it was copied or printed on cardstock and not genuine.