Advice on selling higher end sets???

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Great advice Scott.

Al I see we have a similar collecting style. I have several of those same errors plus several others from that set. The picture is of my favorite 61 Topps error.



I picked this up a couple years ago. It is the only known black hat version. I have used a black light, halogen light, and several other things to detect alteration and this card is the real thing. The black on the hat perfectly matches the black on the rest of card.

I did not even know a Black Hat variation existed for Dalrymple. If he did not change teams, why would he have had the black mask put over his hat? Al, you seem to suggest this was not a Topps variation, but added post-production. Did they have done this for other cards as well? Are there other known black hat variations in the '61 set? Just curious thanks.

[bnorth]

I have some alteration knowledge and I have looked at this card every way I know and it looks factory done to me. I even soaked the card to see if the black would come off. I am guessing it was an employee that messed with the plate or screen(not sure of exact print process of older cards) at or near the end of the print run or right before a new plate or screen was used.

Edit: I do not think there are other black hat versions in 61, but I do know Topps has done very similar black hats in other years.

[KC Doughboy]

I've noticed that Topps blacked out a lot of hats over the years (and the end of a bat!), typically when players changed teams. They were not even very careful nor artistic in their efforts. It has always looked to me like someone took a black Sharpie and had their 7 year old color the hat!

[ALR-bishop]

Yes they did, and sometimes changed the card more than once in the process, but it usually looked more like these, and if part of the print process they are not rare, and sometimes not even scarce

[KC Doughboy]

Thanks for the advice on selling the higher end set. I had someone call yesterday and ended up selling the '61s.
I love net54... The group here has so much knowledge and is so willing to share!

[KC Doughboy]

Speaking of card variations, does anyone know the origin of white backs vs grey backs? Strategy to sell more cards? Changed cardboard suppliers? Printed sets at different locations? I've always wondered...