1967 Topps Venezuelan--Pirated Issue?

[Orioles1954]

Was the 1967 Topps Venezuelan set a pirated issue that was unlicensed or unaffiliated with the actual company?

1.) Starting in 1960, the Venezuelan issue was skip released in 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1968. A 1967 release would break this pattern.

2.) While the 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1968 have back designs copied patterned after the American issue, the Venezuelan cards are completely different with totally Spanish text.

3.) The 1967 Topps Venezuelan issue is "all series." For instance, the parallels in the 1967 Topps U.S. issue of #100 Frank Robinson and #600 Brooks Robinson are in the issue. That is not the case with any other Venezuelan set which checklisted up to a certain series in the American issue. This set had to be retailed during 1968.

4.) The Retirado players (vastly overrated in my opinion) were not in any Topps issue (a first) along with the foreign Winter League players.

Absent of any confirming wrappers or albums released by Topps, my thought is this issue was pirated by Sport Grafico.

[Spike]

I agree. Compared to other 1960s work, it's logical that the 1967 "Topps" series cards were unlicensed copies of the USA issue. Once the Topps cards were on the street, a Venezuelan printer could've copied enough fronts to fill out a MLB series to combine with their Retirado and local series. All three could've been sold during the 1967-68 winter league, since a number of MLB players spent the offseason there.

[DBesse27]

It all makes sense. I would also add that all the other Venz issues have fronts that match their American counterparts, but the 67's are borderless.

[TheNightmanCometh]

Wait, so Topps doesn't recognize the 1967 VZ set as Topps official?

[ALR-bishop]

Doubt if there is anyone left at Topps that would have the slightest idea or way to find out

[HRBAKER]

I have wondered the same thing before.
I agree wholeheartedly on the "Retirado" cards. Non-contemporary, aside from the very occasional condition anomaly - not much to see there.
Pirated or not, there are a few interesting cards like the Bobby Cox card.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Doubt if there is anyone left at Topps that would have the slightest idea or way to find out

People who were in their 20s and 30s could easily still be alive, but equally importantly, isn't it likely that over the years we would have heard something about this?

[jason.1969]

In case there’s interest, I wrote a lengthy article for the SABR Baseball Cards blog on the 1967 issue. Much will be old hat to readers of this thread but perhaps you’ll find at least something new and interesting in the write-up.

https://sabrbaseballcards.blog/2020/...the-caribbean/

Jason

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

In case there’s interest, I wrote a lengthy article for the SABR Baseball Cards blog on the 1967 issue. Much will be old hat to readers of this thread but perhaps you’ll find at least something new and interesting in the write-up.

https://sabrbaseballcards.blog/2020/...the-caribbean/

Jason

Quite a good read, thanks for posting-the 67 set fascinates me. Those VWL cards are unique with the mountain shots and oddball stadiums.

[jason.1969]

Originally Posted by toppcat

Quite a good read, thanks for posting-the 67 set fascinates me. Those VWL cards are unique with the mountain shots and oddball stadiums.

Thank you, Dave!


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