'85 Topps Mini's

[4reals]

I'm with Rich on this one, I don't think they're counterfeited. Nobody has ever had enough of them, and they aren't worth enough to take the time to do. I took a look at them side by side under my magnifier and could see no areas of concern. The rosette pattern is the same and there is solid color everywhere there should be. Another question then would be, were they possibly photocopied? Again my answer would be no. I have two team sets of the white back proofs and each one has the registration off, most noticeably the red plate which is up and to the left. This was not found on the tan backs or the stat backs. By no means am I a professional but it is my humble opinion that the white backs are legit. I, however, will let you draw your own conclusion. I'm providing scans of all variations side by side and a high res of a Pedro Guerrero white blank back per your request. Have fun!

By the way, since I do have an expendable copy of each Dodgers white back I would be willing to trade straight up for a red ink only back of any Dodger since I don't have those variations. I also need a tan back Yeager. Thanks!

[Zach Wheat]

I suspect you guys are right. I will let you know when I get more info. Tks guys.

[ALR-bishop]

Do not have current access to my Minis ( In Iceland), but I have blank backs of both types displayed by Joe, and in my view they are not fakes. And if there are equal number of red only back sheets, someone is hording them currently

[Zach Wheat]

Well I have yet to acquire an 85 mini....and I am sure you would be able to tell Al. It is somewhat disappointing to know you don't carry your database of baseball images and other related information with you in your worldly travels. .

[Zach Wheat]

Is it possible or even likely that some of these cards are proofs? Maybe my source was correct but they also printed a few sheets for reference on different card stock. This doesn't fit the story entirely but does explain some of the differences.

I was reading about some of the older Topps proofs and apparently they printed limited quantities on different card stock for reference. It just seemed odd that the 85 minis only had 1 sheet printed almost as if they were experimenting. And then when I read they printed some of the earlier proofs in one color, some blank back and some on different card stock it seemed to fit.

There are a lot of similarities to some of the stories regarding earlier proofs prior to switching to doing these digitally in the late 80s.

Just curious.

[Zach Wheat]

I was not content with the extent of the info received and have been in contact with other Canadian collectors about this set. I eventually got to one collector that reaffirmed there were indeed 90 original sheets printed but that there were other sheets as well.

He indicated there were additionally 10 blank back vanilla cards as well as 5 proof sheets in tan color. The remainder of the sheets...approximately 100 were thrown away as being not acceptable to Topps (who had originally commissioned OPC to produce). Most of the sheets were salvaged but had water damage and were cut up. He was not clear on how many red back sheets were originally printed.

He indicated he acquired most of the discarded stock in 1988 and was subsequently sued by Topps.

Does the tan card look like a proof? This info seems to be generally consistent, but doesn't explain the red backs.

[ALR-bishop]

This is more consistent with what I had heard from the several Canadian and one US seller I bought most of my cards from. I am still in contact with the US seller, who sent me info on them back in the early 90s. I will retrieve it when I get back in the states. I have never heard the origin of the red backs, but will ask what he knows about them too on return. I have maybe half of the set that way. I also have a couple of swoosh backs ( colors all mixed up and swirled) and can post an example of those on return as well.I

In Norway now. England, Scotland, Ireland and Iceland down, with Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Russia to go