1954 Topps Canadian Jackie Robinson???

[ALR-bishop]

The SCD Standard Catalog has a separate listing for the first series gray backs in 54 and the mid series gray backs in 52. It refers to them as Canadians based on speculation they may have been printed and distributed in Canada. That theory is contested by many. Ted Z or David H, or others may chime in.

Very tough to complete a super master set with those backs

[glynparson]

A Canadian back since the early 1990 s at least. Many contest that but regardless they are extremely difficult to find and even more so in such spectacular condition. So even if erroneous Canadian is how many have referred to this issue for at least 20-25 years.

[CharleyBrown]

The card is incredibly difficult to obtain, and usually sells for quite a bit more than the card in its typical stock. I've owned 3 of them - really regretted selling my first 2 (PSA 3 and PSA 5 I believe) - was really glad to have picked up the PSA 2 in the last Heritage auction. The pop report tells all - I think there are 6-8 total Gray Backs vs. 2600 or so regular backs.

Here's a comparison between the two:

[MW1]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

The SCD Standard Catalog has a separate listing for the first series gray backs in 54 and the mid series gray backs in 52. It refers to them as Canadians based on speculation they may have been printed and distributed in Canada. That theory is contested by many. Ted Z or David H, or others may chime in.

Very tough to complete a super master set with those backs

The Canadian origin is the correct one. The 1952 Topps Canadians are actually much tougher in top grade than the 1954 Topps Canadians, with the exception of just a few players.

[Stampsfan]

CharleyBrown, thanks for the scans. The back color of the Robinson card in the Goodwin auction almost seems to be between the colors of your scans. The grey in yours in quite dark. IYO, have you seen differing shades of grey, or might it be the scans?

Thanks...
Bob

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Stampsfan

CharleyBrown, thanks for the scans. The back color of the Robinson card in the Goodwin auction almost seems to be between the colors of your scans. The grey in yours in quite dark. IYO, have you seen differing shades of grey, or might it be the scans?

Thanks...
Bob

there are 50 shades of gray

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by MW1

The Canadian origin is the correct one. The 1952 Topps Canadians are actually much tougher in top grade than the 1954 Topps Canadians, with the exception of just a few players.

Micheal-Do you have a source for this information? Generally, most hobby origin stories have an element of truth but I always like to go back to the source if possible and would love to see that here.

[ALR-bishop]

From Bob Lemke's Blog ( I have no personal knowledge and enjoy the mystery). I also realize we may be in wrong forum, but not my thread

http://boblemke.blogspot.com/2011/05...-canadian.html

[MW1]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

From Bob Lemke's Blog ( I have no personal knowledge and enjoy the mystery). I also realize we may be in wrong forum, but not my thread

http://boblemke.blogspot.com/2011/05...-canadian.html

We've been buying throughout Canada and have attended all of the major conventions for a little longer than John Rumierz (the first source cited by Lemke). Our experience has been somewhat different. Although we haven't found large quantities, we have located some 1952 Topps third series gray backs is in Canada, with most of them turning up in and around the Toronto area. I should also add, however, that it is quite likely that these cards were distributed in various places in the United States as well.

[Laxcat]

Originally Posted by MW1

Interesting information but certainly misleading. We've been buying throughout Canada and have attended all of the major conventions for a little longer than John Rumierz (the first source cited by Lemke). Our experience has been the exact opposite. The ONLY place to find "quantities" of 1952 Topps third series gray backs is in Canada, with most of them turning up in and around the Toronto area. The few that we have found in the United States were most likely from Canadian sources.

Rumierz writes that he has seen "thousands of '52s with 100s of High Numbers and many Mantles" in Canada but no gray backs. It could be that he just didn't have access to enough collections and material during his travels. For comparison, we have encountered hundreds of thousands of 1952s, thousands of high numbers, and perhaps a hundred Mantles. Our total yield has been 50 or so gray backs so these cards are indeed very scarce. Chances are Rumierz just didn't see enough 1952s to find any or was searching in the wrong cities.

Not sure that those '52 are THAT rare. I pulled 30 or so out of the stock my father had in his store in Austin TX. Compared to 0 '54's. The store opened and closed pre eBay. That is why I'm not confident at all in the "Canadian" label.

[MW1]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

Not sure that those '52 are THAT rare. I pulled 30 or so out of the stock my father had in his store in Austin TX. Compared to 0 '54's. The store opened and closed pre eBay. That is why I'm not confident at all in the "Canadian" label.

Which ones did you have? Condition?