Is "modern" still "modern"?

[toppcat]

If you take all of the public statements made by Topps over the years, into the 1970's and probably well into the 90's or even a bit later, I would wager at least half of them were either incorrect or outright lies. As I found out when researching my book, their PR department basically would say whatever suited them at any given time. The real story (mostly) is found in actual documentation, such as trade journals, jobber correspondence and retailer promotions. Topps had no idea about their own history for decades.

Now as to nomencalture, how about:

19th Century = self explanatory
Pre War = before WW1
Mid War = between the world wars
Post War = 1946 to 1980
Expansion = 1981 to 1992 (although "expansion" could confuse folks as no teams were added in the time frame, maybe "boom"?)
Modern = 1993 to 2005
Post Modern = 2006-Present

I think anything produced through 1980 is considered "vintage" by the majority of collectors but your experience may vary. Also, more and more it seems "modern" refers to a time period after the 1980's. It's meaningless but a fun little exercise to compartmentalize it all. In my book I subdivided what was really just a nine year period (1948-47) into about five categories, so anything is possible.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by toppcat

If you take all of the public statements made by Topps over the years, into the 1970's and probably well into the 90's or even a bit later, I would wager at least half of them were either incorrect or outright lies. As I found out when researching my book, their PR department basically would say whatever suited them at any given time. The real story (mostly) is found in actual documentation, such as trade journals, jobber correspondence and retailer promotions. Topps had no idea about their own history for decades.

Now as to nomencalture, how about:

19th Century = self explanatory
Pre War = before WW1
Mid War = between the world wars
Post War = 1946 to 1980
Expansion = 1981 to 1992 (although "expansion" could confuse folks as no teams were added in the time frame, maybe "boom"?)
Modern = 1993 to 2005
Post Modern = 2006-Present

I think anything produced through 1980 is considered "vintage" by the majority of collectors but your experience may vary. Also, more and more it seems "modern" refers to a time period after the 1980's. It's meaningless but a fun little exercise to compartmentalize it all. In my book I subdivided what was really just a nine year period (1948-47) into about five categories, so anything is possible.

I can agree with those breakdowns. Really don't completely get where the cutoff at '93 comes from, But I agree it should be somewhere around there...

[ALR-bishop]

Dave---how in the heck am going to remember all of those ? Can you send me a laminated index card ?

And what will come after post modern ? Ultimate Modern ?

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Dave---how in the heck am going to remember all of those ? Can you send me a laminated index card ?

And what will come after post modern ? Ultimate Modern ?

Technically, I think current is always "modern". Once an age is identified as complete, I believe that's when it's given an appropriate name. Kinda like with comics...

Golden
Atom
Silver
bronze
iron
dark
modern

starting with the silver age, the eras are generally also broken down into, early/mid/late.

Maybe that's how we could look at cards.

post-war
early age would be up until- topps became(for the most part) the lone producer...
mid-up until 73(or 74) when topps went to single series
late-topps single series..

81-91ish as it's own age..
81-85 might be early(competition)
86-91ish might be late.(competition with rookies starting to take center stage)

then maybe 91ish-2009 as it's own "age". due to it being the era where rookies and inserts ruled production, up until topps was given sole license....I don't have the date breakdowns but maybe....

early-could be early inserts, parallels, draft picks...
mid- maybe when autographs, manufactured short prints and everything became a part of the base sets..
late- 2006 when the "rookie logo" rules took effect

2010 to current, topps/modern age....

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Dave---how in the heck am going to remember all of those ? Can you send me a laminated index card ?

And what will come after post modern ? Ultimate Modern ?

Al just remember this simple acronym: 1PMPEMP(U)