Top 100 Errors / Variations and the state of collections these cards prior to 1985

[BobC]

Originally Posted by richtree

So here is an example of what I have been working on ...

I wanted to post here because, like I said earlier, I don't have all the knowledge I need on errors and variations prior to when I was collecting from 1986 until now.

1. Sherry Magie --- impact is that it is one of the big 4 and and anchor for the hobby for the next 1000 years

2. Billy Ripken -- impact is that during the height of errors, this card was known by people inside and outside the hobby. Even today people just want to hold one in their hands.

3. Frank Thomas NNOF -- the impact was for the first true rarity in the modern error place --- even today with millions of 1990 topps, its still hard to find...and worth more and more

4. Mickey Mantle White letters --- One of the greatest ever, from the yankees and representing the 69 white letters.... Without mantle having a white letter version , would people care as much for cards like this (2 color versions?)

5. Craig Nettles 1981 fleer spelling error --- the first year Topps now had lawsuits and rivals and errors and variations appeared as common place in the new "modern baseball card market"

6. 1957 Hank Aaron Uncorrected error -- Reverse Negative --- Not only is this of a baseball great, but I feel this card helped translate the stories of hitting cross handed and the aura of the home run king. A card that collectors wanted in their display case.

7. Barry Bonds opening Day -- In 1987, I remember people opening boxes and not knowing what Johnny Ray looked like --- it seemed so hard to find this card -- then Bonds became a legend --- today they are still rare and since their were not packs and only a boxed set --- it become the first error card that was truly from an odd place and hard to find --- and so happened to be one of the most controversial figure of all time.



Ill stop there even though I have my top 25 done like the above because I want to learn more about the cards I don't understand (pre-modern) and where they fit in ----- once the project is complete I will do a offical release of the list and writeups..

please feel free to contact me and any help like the above is greatly appreciated !!!

thanks

richtree
richtree@gmail.com

richtree,

Thanks for getting back to us and giving some ideas on what you're looking for then. The Magie/Magee error inclusion lets us know that you are not limiting the list to just the 60s/70s/80s - present. That is great to know.

The mention of the errors and such from the old Beckett's and other baseball price guides is a great place to start, but also remember that those were predominantly 50s and forward card guides. The old stuff, that old guys like a lot of us are into, go back way before then. Like with the Magie/Magee error. Of course, even the old Beckett guides would include some detail for the T206 and '33/'34 Goudey sets usually, and thus the Magie/Magee error would get posted for all to see in those as well. I think those old Beckett's may end up having a lot more influence on what is or isn't considered "impactful" to the hobby than many expect.

In fact, I still have to ask the question, what exactly is YOUR definition of what makes a particular E/V card "impactful" to the hobby? Or is it your goal to read and see what others consider as "impactful" and thus don't really have a specific definition of your own then? Just curious to see where you are coming from. Some may argue that impactful could/should refer to value, which would put E&Vs such as the Magie/Magee and Doyle N.Y. Nat'l cards at the top of such E&V lists. Similarly, '69 Mantle white-letter and '58 Aaron yellow team E&V cards would be pretty far up those lists as well. But then that would possibly remove or lower other well-known, but not nearly as valuable E&V cards as well. Just curious if you'd share some more info with us.