Topps and Fleer Proof Cards

[Republicaninmass]

67 Maris Yankees/cardinals?

[Zach Wheat]

I collect '72 Topps Proofs. Here is a Baltimore Team card - which is a high numbered card. This regular issue card is notorious for being miscut with most cards in the regular issue having very poor centering. I was happy to find a proof - and it was centered!

Oddly, the regular issue card is cropped in exactly the same way as the proof I have....cutting out 2/3rd of the equipment manager and one other coach. The photo appears to be similar to the regular press issue photo of the team excluding a few players.

The bat boy - always given a front & center spot in the Baltimore team photos - lost both of his hands when he was 2 and used metal hooks to pick up bats. He was their good luck charm, having joined the team in magical year of 1966 when they won their first World Series.

Z Wheat

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

I collect '72 Topps Proofs. Here is a Baltimore Team card - which is a high numbered card. This regular issue card is notorious for being miscut with most cards in the regular issue having very poor centering. I was happy to find a proof - and it was centered!

Oddly, the regular issue card is cropped in exactly the same way as the proof I have....cutting out 2/3rd of the equipment manager and one other coach. The photo appears to be similar to the regular press issue photo of the team excluding a few players.

The bat boy - always given a front & center spot in the Baltimore team photos - lost both of his hands when he was 2 and used metal hooks to pick up bats. He was their good luck charm, having joined the team in magical year of 1966 when they won their first World Series.

Z Wheat

Hey, how do you determine that cards are actually proofs and not simply printing errors? I have 2 blank backed 72's around here somewhere and have always just referred to them as 'blank backs.' I wonder if they are proofs. There are no cropping differences between them and their counterparts.

[Zach Wheat]

Good question. There are several types of proofs. The most appealing to me are the Proofs that show the card in its final form. I am not an expert by any means but my proofs may use different inks or have different card stock which is evident when you look at the reverse. In other years the cardstock was slightly different in color or texture.

For the card mentioned above it was originally bought at the 1989 Topps Vault Auction and seller indicated it was a proof. For all intents and purposes it looks like the final card. There really isn't a way to tell if it us a printer error of a proof....other than it is a well centered card.


Z Wheat

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Hey, how do you determine that cards are actually proofs and not simply printing errors? I have 2 blank backed 72's around here somewhere and have always just referred to them as 'blank backs.' I wonder if they are proofs. There are no cropping differences between them and their counterparts.

I don't know if you'd be able to tell if the blank backs were proofs or not unless there were something different about the front of the card, they used a different type of cardboard and/or you had something documenting that it is a proof from Topps. I have always just referred to them as blank backs as well.

Zach... Any proofs of Brooksie from '72? By the way I really like the '72 O's team shot.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

I don't know if you'd be able to tell if the blank backs were proofs or not unless there were something different about the front of the card, they used a different type of cardboard and/or you had something documenting that it is a proof from Topps. I have always just referred to them as blank backs as well.

Zach... Any proofs of Brooksie from '72? By the way I really like the '72 O's team shot.

I am certainly not an expert - but there appear to be several classifications of "proofs". This can be seen in the '85 minis proofs (which were never meant to be issued) where clearly the printing company was experimenting with different types of card stock, smudge factor, appearance, drying times etc. Cards are found with blank backs made of 3 different cardboard types. Proofs also cover cards like the Topps Vault "Proof" which appears to be identical to the final card. I believe Topps kept these copies as reference copies, but am not sure.

Sorry no '72 Brooksie Proof. Almost all of the '72 Topps Proofs I've acquired have some connection to the Topps Vault.....looks like Brooks is probably still in the vault....

Z Wheat

[mrmopar]

Here is a strip that I bought directly from Topps Vault on ebay. Interestingly, I also won a 75 and 76 strip with Garvey and the certificates for those two strips mention the cards by player, but not so for this 72 strip. It doesn't say if they are proofs per se, but they are blank backed.

[Exhibitman]

When I think of "proof" I think of something like this, created to check accuracy of the printing or get approval from the decisionmakers:



The Mays on the left is probably a proof; the right one is the as issued card.



This is probably a proof too:



And speaking of Topps Vault uncut strips:



Live Long And Prosper, Bitches!

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Sorry no '72 Brooksie Proof. Almost all of the '72 Topps Proofs I've acquired have some connection to the Topps Vault.....looks like Brooks is probably still in the vault....

Z Wheat

Zach: Do me a favor if a proof of the '72 Topps Brooks card ever comes up in thetoppsvault please let me win it!

[jthorst75]

One of the more well known Topps proof. Crazy the things they took out to not make it look like he played for the Yanks in '67, like his hat & Yankee stadium, but what about the pinstripes?

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Zach: Do me a favor if a proof of the '72 Topps Brooks card ever comes up in thetoppsvault please let me win it!

Will do...