1980 Topps Test Issue

[steve B]

I actually bought the bulk cards at retail. Yellow box, top flap plus If I recall right a cutout in the front and a stack of cards inside. One store had them, but insisted you only buy what was on top. The other didn't care as long as you bought some. I probably have a box somewhere but it'll be a long search if I decide to look.

Steve B

[moeson]

I remember having a tough time finding the white backs in Manhattan, but they were plentiful at Woolworths when I visited San Juan that year.

[Bob Lemke]

Too bad Topps didn't test this concept in 1957 . . .

oversize cards with alternative photos and facsimile autographs.

[GasHouseGang]

I remember buying a set from an ad in one of the hobby publications when they were originally issued, and the set I got were white backs. Shortly after that purchase, an article appeared in SCD saying that there were two varieties and that the white backs were more difficult to obtain, and the prices quickly went up on the white back sets. I haven't followed them since then, but that was what was originally reported. Maybe the white backs were the first printing?

[sago]

White backs were readily available in Nassau County. 3 card packs. My brothers and I made a killing on them as we bought tons of packs and were the only ones with the white ones at local shows. Cashed in quick as about a few months later they were everywhere, although still less plentiful than the gray ones. Good times.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by sago

White backs were readily available in Nassau County. 3 card packs. My brothers and I made a killing on them as we bought tons of packs and were the only ones with the white ones at local shows. Cashed in quick as about a few months later they were everywhere, although still less plentiful than the gray ones. Good times.

I believe these could be found at Newberry's, if memory serves. Also a great store for Fun Packs back in the early 80's.

[mrmopar]

Both 80 and 81 featured here. All variants I believe, at least all featuring Garvey that exist (besides Topps Vault stuff):

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by steve B

I actually bought the bulk cards at retail. Yellow box, top flap plus If I recall right a cutout in the front and a stack of cards inside. One store had them, but insisted you only buy what was on top. The other didn't care as long as you bought some. I probably have a box somewhere but it'll be a long search if I decide to look.

Steve B

Steve,

The photo in my post was the seller's photo. I just received the set and it is vacuum sealed so don't think I will open it. The cards are white back...which seller indicates are more rare than the gray backs - as Al previously mentioned.

However, I noticed approx. 1/4 of my cards are "oversized" by approx. 1/16th of an inch. Perhaps the cards were miscut on the left edge.

Is this standard? Or perhaps the other cards are trimmed....but I don't think so.

Z Wheat

[steve B]

The sizes were fairly consistent. 1/16th seems a bit too much of a difference.

The Schmidt really seems to be missing blue. Combining that with the size difference makes me think someone cut up an unfinished sheet. That was pretty common at the time, full sheets could be had for most Topps sets from various sources, usually with problems. Wrong backs, unfinished sheets etc and many of them got cut into individual cards.

Sounds like a really good pickup even if just part of the set is that way.
I'd open it up and go through them, but that's just me. I don't recall which set I have. I know I have one of them complete.

Steve B

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Steve,

The photo in my post was the seller's photo. I just received the set and it is vacuum sealed so don't think I will open it. The cards are white back...which seller indicates are more rare than the gray backs - as Al previously mentioned.

However, I noticed approx. 1/4 of my cards are "oversized" by approx. 1/16th of an inch. Perhaps the cards were miscut on the left edge.

Is this standard? Or perhaps the other cards are trimmed....but I don't think so.

Z Wheat

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by steve B

I actually bought the bulk cards at retail. Yellow box, top flap plus If I recall right a cutout in the front and a stack of cards inside. One store had them, but insisted you only buy what was on top. The other didn't care as long as you bought some. I probably have a box somewhere but it'll be a long search if I decide to look.

Steve B

Me too-still have it.