Advertsing panels / salesman samples

[obiwin]

Beckett price guide has started cataloging and pricing these advertising panels, listed at the end of the particular sets, and not generally considered part of the complete set. I will note however that Beckett is not yet comprehensive in cataloging these. For example, I have a 1973 Topps football 3 card blank back panel that is not currently listed in Beckett. I've also seen a few others from different years and sports that were also not listed.


The pricing in Beckett seems fairly accurate from what I've seen antecdotally. I saw what Beckett has listed as 1957 Topps football #AD1 go for about $650 or so in an auction a few months ago. Beckett's range is $400-$700 for it.

[obiwin]

Also just noticed that none of the 1957 Topps football cards in the photo you posted are currently cataloged in Beckett....

[Footballdude]

When you say Beckett price guide, are you referring to the monthly guide or the big, yearly book?

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by obiwin

Beckett price guide has started cataloging and pricing these advertising panels, listed at the end of the particular sets, and not generally considered part of the complete set. I will note however that Beckett is not yet comprehensive in cataloging these. For example, I have a 1973 Topps football 3 card blank back panel that is not currently listed in Beckett. I've also seen a few others from different years and sports that were also not listed.


The pricing in Beckett seems fairly accurate from what I've seen antecdotally. I saw what Beckett has listed as 1957 Topps football #AD1 go for about $650 or so in an auction a few months ago. Beckett's range is $400-$700 for it.

Are they listing Salesman Samples or just 3 card panels? Just because it's a 3 card panel doesn't mean it's a salesman sample. Topps didn't issue salesman samples past '67 (other than Heritage inserts that were issued starting in '08) and even during those years panels lacking ad copy just makes it a 3 card panel.

[Exhibitman]

Those are typical of the salesman samples of the era. The only way to establish value is to auction them off. Player collectors are the most likely purchasers for cut down sample cards [I bought a 1964 Koufax on a leaders card cut from a sample] but the guys you have there aren't heavily demanded, so your best bet is to sell them at auction.

[obiwin]

The exact wording that Beckett uses is "Advertising Panel"

@Footballdude: I was referring to Beckett's online price guide, though I just checked my 2010-11 hardcopy annual Beckett, and the 1957 football panels were listed in there.

Originally Posted by Griffins

Are they listing Salesman Samples or just 3 card panels? Just because it's a 3 card panel doesn't mean it's a salesman sample. Topps didn't issue salesman samples past '67 (other than Heritage inserts that were issued starting in '08) and even during those years panels lacking ad copy just makes it a 3 card panel.

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by obiwin

The exact wording that Beckett uses is "Advertising Panel"

@Footballdude: I was referring to Beckett's online price guide, though I just checked my 2010-11 hardcopy annual Beckett, and the 1957 football panels were listed in there.

Ok, that makes sense. The '57's are clearly ad panels, the '73 one described isn't and is just a blank backed panel, so it shouldn't be listed in Beckett as an ad panel.

Adam, you're right, the price for these is all over the place. I've seen them go for $10k (without a key player) and as low as $400, at least on the baseball ones. I was told by an auction house that there are at least 3 deep pocketed collectors putting together a run of these, so the market isn't just limited to player collectors.

[finalscore]

Below are a few of the Football Ad Panels I own. You will find Beckett's listing is incomplete as there are still a number of panels that are unknown or not cataloged.

[Footballdude]

Are there any guesses as to what kind of production numbers there were for these ad panels? They do seem to be rather scarce. I know Topps probably either didn't keep records or they just don't disclose their production numbers, but has anyone ever tried to guess what the population is?

[Footballdude]

Mike, those are fabulous! I love them!

I do have a request. Would it be possible to scan the front and back of the 1963 panel, with the Jim Brown? And, hopefully, with your permission, would it be possible for me to use on my 1963 color variations website? (link below).

[Griffins]

Mike, incredible collection! What years do football run? Topps Baseball is '52-'67, Bowman '54-'55. Did Bowman issue football samples, and did Topps start with the '55 AA's? Did Philly gum issue any?