WTB: Dodgers Want List - Food/Regional/Type/Topps Unlisted Variations

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by 4reals

TYPE CARDS/FOOD CARDS
1986 Topps Mini Leaders – Mike Scioscia #46 & Fernando Valenzuela #47 (super glossy card stock with brownish color like '85 T.Tiffany)

Are you sure this is an issue? I stored my oddball stuff in my mom's basement for a while and many of my Tiffany and glossy cards turned a brownish color. I can scan some if you would like to see the comparison.

Also, if you search "1982 Topps Team Card Sheet" on Ebay, you will get the 82 white back you need...you'll just have to cut it.

[4reals]

Originally Posted by Gmrson

Are you sure this is an issue? I stored my oddball stuff in my mom's basement for a while and many of my Tiffany and glossy cards turned a brownish color. I can scan some if you would like to see the comparison.

Also, if you search "1982 Topps Team Card Sheet" on Ebay, you will get the 82 white back you need...you'll just have to cut it.

Mike, thanks for the tip on the '82 Leader card...I never realized those were printed on different card stock. I took a look at the SCD description and it confirmed what you said...not sure how I missed that one but it's great to have a lead!

As far as the '86 mini ldrs go, there was never an official separate release and no variations have been cataloged, however, I am positive there are two variations for at least some of the cards in the set, if not all of them. I currently own both variations for the Guerrero, Welch, and Hershiser cards in my Dodgers team set (still looking for Scioscia and Valenzuela). When I touch them the difference is significant. The brighter white card fronts look shiny but feel dull, like a regular issued card from a base set. The brownish color variation appears more wet and when you touch them you can tell instantly that it has a thicker, slicker coating. I am not denying that the browning may come from aging, however, the ones that do brown make it easier to distinguish between the two. I have seen this same browning effect on the '85 Tiffany cards but have not seen it any of the Tiffany cards from any years since then. I suppose my theory is that Topps used the leftover card stock from the '85 Tiffanys for the beginning of the '86 Mini print run and when they ran out they transitioned over to the other stock. I think this is supported by the fact that the Tiffany (brownish) ones seem to be less plentiful to find than the white ones. Assuming I'm right, a good follow up question to my theory would be: Was Topps just trying to use up leftover stock to save on costs and minimize waste? My guess would be yes. Rub your minis and get back to me (that came out wrong), let me know your thoughts!

[4reals]

It might be hard to distinguish from this scan but the brown tinted TIFFANY variations are on the right side. Because the tint is so minor they are difficult to differentiate unless you're able to see in person and touch them. Paying your LCS a visit is probably the best first option to take rather than trying to explain all this nonsense to sellers on ebay who might still get it wrong anyways...it's the reason I still need the two I do.

[Gmrson]

I have 1 Valenzuela that seems browned, but the front feels a little coarse.

[4reals]

I don't know what to tell you other than the texture and coating of the card is what makes it a variation in my mind, not the color. The color is merely a clue I use to try and narrow down finding the different type of stock when dealing with purchases online where you can't actually touch the card. In the instance of your card the color wouldn't work but it has for me in other purchases. Also, as a side point, the brownish color is a characteristic of the glossy coating, it isn't something that appears over time from aging as some cards do due to their exposure to exterior elements.

[Gmrson]

I understand what you are saying for this particular issue, but mine have turned brown from environment, including various years of Topps & Bowman Tiffany cards. That's an interesting variation that I will have to look for.

[4reals]

bump