52 Topps question on Gray Face

[savedfrommyspokes]

In looking through my red and black backs, it is clear that the red backs have more vibrant colors on the front. I looked at one card, the #57 Lopat card, and the cap and bill of the cap on the RB is colored all one color, while the BB version has some "shading" evident on both the bill and cap itself. In looking through the BB examples listed on ebay, most have the identical shading as mine, while two of the PSA graded BB versions have different amounts of shading on the cap than the others. The first scan is my RB, 2nd is the BB with the "shading" on the cap.

Here are two BB copies with the different shading on the caps than the other BB #57 cards listed on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-E...item51b1eb176a


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-TOPPS-B...item2581945ae1


Could either of these two ebay listings be the "grey faced" variations?

[GoldenAge50s]

I'm w/ David P on this one! I have all the '52's I bought as a kid & of course been collecting since the late '40's & have never heard of 'Grey-face" '52 Topps.

[ALR-bishop]

As I said earlier, I see a lot of front differences in the first series depending on whether the card is a red or black back, but had never heard about grey faces versus clear faces in the black backs.

But, Saved listed a link from a George Vrececk article which discusses his theory that due to the Sain/Page error, Topps likely did do a second printing of the black backs. I have a lot of respect for George's work in the variant arena. In the article he discusses the differences in color background of the Boone and Kretlow cards...and those differences do exist. If there was a second printing of the BBs then there likely are other minor color differences. Not sure though about grey faces other that in the latter Canadian series.

But, interesting discussion anyway

[Cardboard Junkie]

Yup....George talks a good game. Dave

[SMPEP]

I went through my dupes last night and couldn't find any convincing examples of a grey face.

At one point, I thought I had one card that if you squinted hard appeared to have a greyer than normal face but I guess I traded it. It was not very convincing to me as a variation so I guess I didn't even save it.

Cheers,
Patrick

[tombocombo]

1952 topps first series black backs have many more variations than the obvious sain/page boone whemeier scraborough. i will give you guys another variation in the first series it is glaviano front not back has distinct variation.

[ALR-bishop]

I mentioned that one in the 2nd post. It is not a color background variant like Scarborough and some others. The front logo has two distinctive different colors, but as far as I know the difference is always a function of it being a black or red back. On the other hand there are two different color backgrounds on Boone, for both the red and black back versions.

I view most of these as printing variants rather than variations like the Sain /Page or the black versus red backs. But I still collect them. Would be happy to swap lists with you