What if.... cards that never were but could have been

[Tao_Moko]

I'll start with a 1963 Fleer Pete Rose RC and would it out value the 4/1 Topps rookie?

[G1911]

1963 Fleer is in general a great what if. What if Topps' monopoly hadn't been held up in court and Fleer's set cut short? It was the best set of active players not by Topps for many years. Would have loved for it to have gotten a full production instead of just one series.

No Pete Rose card could possibly be uglier than the Topps 63. It's going to be the last 60's Topps basic card I need, and will probably stop at 99.999% complete because of it.

Harmon Killebrew in 1957 Topps is one that always stands out as What If card that easily could have been, unlike most of the missing 50's stars that are due to contractual reasons.

[egri]

I would’ve liked to see what a 1942 Play Ball set would’ve looked like. They finally got it right in 1941, only for the war to slam the brakes on the whole thing.

[ALR-bishop]

Poor sales not Topps did in the 63 Fleer 2nd series. Cookies got around the Topps exclusive contract for distribution with confections but although viewed with admiration now, Fleer sales in 63 were poor.

Leaf tried marbles in 1960 and did not fare much better. Gum ruled

[GasHouseGang]

1952 Topps Musial. These examples were created by a board member.

[Casey2296]

Pre war 14CJ Ruth, post war 51B Paige.

[Harliduck]

Being a massive Killebrew fan, the 1957 Topps omission hurts me the most. I have a couple of custom cards I've got stashed in my binders...

Others I've often thought about -

1966 Topps Steve Carlton
1959 Topps Ted Williams
1954 Topps Mickey Mantle
1955 Topps Mickey Mantle
1955 Bowman Roberto Clemente
1955 Bowman Sandy Koufax
1955 Bowman Killebrew
1954 Bowman Ernie Banks
1954 Bowman Hank Aaron
1954 Bowman Al Kaline
ANY 63 Fleer...I love those cards...

What about a 1968 Topps Reggie Jackson Rookie Stars?

We were blessed with a 1969 Topps Mantle that probably shouldn't have happened...bonus Mantle...

[G1911]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Poor sales not Topps did in the 63 Fleer 2nd series. Cookies got around the Topps exclusive contract for distribution with confections but although viewed with admiration now, Fleer sales in 63 were poor.

Leaf tried marbles in 1960 and did not fare much better. Gum ruled

I’ll stand corrected and rephrase to if “Fleer had not lost suits with Topps and had to sell their cards with crappy cookies instead of gum”.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by G1911

1963 Fleer is in general a great what if.

Indeed!

[skelly423]

Put me down for a handful of 1953 Bowman Colors
Satchel Paige
Willie Mays
Ted Williams
Jackie Robinson

[ALR-bishop]

Bowman 53 Color is another revered set ( and one of my favorites) that did so poorly against Topps in the market ( even with gum) that they switched to B&W at the end to cut costs

[skelly423]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Bowman 53 Color is another revered set ( and one of my favorites) that did so poorly against Topps in the market ( even with gum) that they switched to B&W at the end to cut costs

Great answer. A Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, and Ted Williams would put that set over the top.

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by G1911

I’ll stand corrected and rephrase to if “Fleer had not lost suits with Topps and had to sell their cards with crappy cookies instead of gum”.

Agree. Fleer filed several FTC complaints in the 60s asking that Topps be found in violation of the antitrust laws. The FTC initially agreed with Fleer, but the courts reversed their decision finding that the Topps player contracts were exclusive only to the marketing of player likenesses with confections and that Fleer could market their cards by themselves or with other items

Lot of folks do not like gum stains on their cards. I really like them

https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2019/01/ba...fleer-v-topps/

[Tao_Moko]

I'll add another to the mix. Nolan Ryan was called up to the Mets in '66, so either a '66 or '67 Ryan RC stand alone.

[Volod]

Originally Posted by skelly423

Put me down for a handful of 1953 Bowman Colors
Satchel Paige
Willie Mays
Ted Williams
Jackie Robinson

With Bowman banking so much on Joe's big endorsement in 1953, why didn't they kick Davey Williams to the back of the set and make this the Number One card in the deck?

[shagrotn77]

I remember as a kid being bummed that Thurman Munson wasn’t in the 1980 Topps set. Switching sports, a 1935 SK Don Hutson would have been awesome! It’s also a shame that Earl Campbell Topps cards stopped after just 1 year (1979).

[Seven]

Mantle's 1954 and 1955 Topps issues, had he not been under contract by Bowman. Many concepts have been floated around, and it fits with the Postwar theme. A 1951 Bowman Joe Dimaggio would've been wonderful, along with a 1952 Topps Ted Williams.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Tao_Moko

I'll add another to the mix. Nolan Ryan was called up to the Mets in '66, so either a '66 or '67 Ryan RC stand alone.

I like this one, but I'm also grateful there isn't a stand alone Ryan rookie in the 7th 1966 series to double the cost of my set run! The Met's look great in 66 with the purple banners.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Tao_Moko

I'll add another to the mix. Nolan Ryan was called up to the Mets in '66, so either a '66 or '67 Ryan RC stand alone.

Or put him on the 1967 card with teammate Seaver.

[Tao_Moko]

Originally Posted by Mark17

Or put him on the 1967 card with teammate Seaver.

Oooooh. That would be one hell of a card.

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Mark17

Or put him on the 1967 card with teammate Seaver.

You mean this one??

[Harliduck]

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy

You mean this one??

Oh my is right...WOW. High card SP of that?? YES.

[skil55voy]

My five would be 61,62,63 Post Cereal and Jell-O Stan Musial.