The '73 Kaline Band Aid Variation Train Keeps A-Rollin'...

[JollyElm]

For as long as I can remember I've been on the lookout for a transitional 'missing link' variation that might fit in between the 1973 Topps Al Kaline 'bandage on forehead' card and the normal version of this card, where the bandage has been completely airbrushed away and his forehead is clear of anything relevant. I always figured there must be something out there. Well, today I found something very, very interesting indeed. Check out the second picture in this progression. To me it clearly shows some light remnants of that pesky Band Aid. Granted, this discovery is not exactly equal to Howard Carter finding King Tut's tomb, but it's pretty cool nonetheless, and I thought some of my fellow variation nuts would enjoy seeing it.

1973kalineprogression.jpg

[savedfrommyspokes]

Good catch Darren....when looking for the predominant Band-Aid card I had noticed some copies with something different appearing where the Band-Aid would had been. However, never having a card in hand like the center one, I never thought much of it. Reminds me of several other multiple variation cards caused by Topps' less than stellar initial airbrush jobs such as the 71 Nash and 78 Wills.

[Mark70Z]

Darren,

Very cool pic of Kaline. Surely have never noticed, or saw this before. Thanks for posting your findings.

[ALR-bishop]

Good one

[Robs70sCards]

It looks like they touched up the "D" in the last version too.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Robs70sCards

It looks like they touched up the "D" in the last version too.

Yeah, I too was looking at that 'D' on his cap and wasn't sure if they cleaned it up for the final version or if on the earlier versions the black sorta bled into the tiny white areas of the letter.