1952 3rd Series Gray Backs vs. 1960 5th Series White Backs

[SMPEP]

I think the "white backs" in the 1960s are just as elusive as the grey backs in the 1952 series.

With that said ... I think the reason that the 1960 "white backs" don't get the same recognition is that some don't believe they are anything other than "cream backs" that are cleaner.

For me ... my eyes just aren't good enough in many cases to distinguish which is which. For example, I've seen the 1952 greys backs that even when I put them side by side next to a glossy 1952 grey back and a dull 1952 grey back I can't tell which the card is.

So good luck identifying a 1960 "white" versus "cream" based on a photo on Ebay.

My other theory is that the 1952 greys also gain recognition because you can tell a difference on the front (of most of them). The 1954 greys are just as hard (harder?) to find, but you can only find them by seeing the backs of the cards and given how few photos of those backs are taken ... good luck finding them. The same may be true for the 1960 "whites".

Cheers,
Patrick

[ALR-bishop]

Good points Patrick.

I did finish out my 60 set with both gray and "white" = cream backs. I have seen pictures of the white white backs but never pursued them separately from the cream backs.

I think O'Connell had an article with comparison photos in an SCD article some years back

[Zach Wheat]

If I remember correctly, they used 2 printers at 2 different printing companies for this set. In previous Topps issues - they concluded that 1 printing company could not keep up with production once the set came out and consequently engaged another printer with a different type of press to handle some of the overflow. The primary cardboard stock used in printing was initially the more expensive white back stock but the less expensive gray cardboard stock was preferred by some at Topps. Apparently the 2nd printing company (using a different printer) had difficulty printing on white cardboard stock - and some batches - were printed in both types of cardstock, with #441-572 printed on only gray stock. I suspect the "white" backed cards were from their initial print run before one of the printers discontinued printing on this stock.

Therefore the gray backed cards should show printing differences as well - since they came from 2 different printers.

Z