1952 Topps

[ALR-bishop]

I think Berger started that rumor to cover the fact he was inserting the leftovers in Christmas rack packs

I do not think that hobby legend has ever been fully substantiated, but think Berger did encourage it. I think it is just as logical that not nearly as many high number sheets were produced in the later portions of that summer. Good thing the Mantle was a DP

The high numbers are easier to find and cheaper than the gray back "Canadians" at this point

[Republicaninmass]

Just like the gray backs, so,e highs are more easily found than others. I've been trying to find new signed examples when I can, but it's become increasing difficult. If I find more than one every few months I'm ecstatic

[Exhibitman]

Well considering that the set was issued only 7 years after the war and the men on it were adults at the time, not surprising they are dying off. They are mostly in their 80s or 90s by now.

As for the set itself, it will always be a fave. and not for the Mantle, which I've never owned and likely never will. My first old card was a 1952 Topps Dropo (still have it). I got this one signed decades ago and still have it:

[ALR-bishop]

The Feller is listed by many, including the H&S superset, as a card with a variation. The difference is said to involve the fact some cards have clearly visible slats while others have virtually no slats

[toppcat]

I've been on record regarding the highs and don't buy the garbage scow story for a second. If the cards were, in fact, destroyed, they most likely were tossed in the furnace at Bush Terminal as Topps would not have spent the money if they could have just lit them up. I realize they had access to a dock at the facility but Bush Terminal had its own trash and garbage disposal facility as it was essentially a self-contained industrial facility (originally a self contained military facility).

My belief is they printed the highs in the same or slightly lesser quantities as the semi-highs and then slowly sold off excess product and returns in other countries before the remainder went off to Card Collectors Company in the mid to late 50's. CCC in their March 1968 catalog still had complete high number runs for $90 and sold singles for a buck when first series cards went for 20 cents and semi highs for .15. Regular cards were 12 cents otherwise. Personally, I'd say Topps was on a commission basis with CCC and it was in their interest to keep the high number market inflated. Just a theory but I don't believe the garbage scow story and Sy Berger told a lot of whoppers about Topps over the years.

It's interesting to me that the highs on the PSA pop report only seem to be about 25% scarcer than the semi-highs. I doubt the ratio is that exact but the semi's and the highs are not all that far apart in terms of availability. Let's face it, the highs are not that scarce.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Leon

Been looking for high numbers for a short while. They don't come cheaply and aren't abundant, that is for sure.....

That is what I have found as well.

Although I have quite a few high number cards, when looking for lower numbered commons, those are by far the most I see.

When I do see high numbered cards, I see most have no trouble getting high dollars for them, especially when listed on PWCC, but it is surprising similar cards don't fetch that when they are just listed by an everyday seller on E-Bay?

Originally Posted by toppcat

I've been on record regarding the highs and don't buy the garbage scow story for a second. If the cards were, in fact, destroyed, they most likely were tossed in the furnace at Bush Terminal as Topps would not have spent the money if they could have just lit them up. I realize they had access to a dock at the facility but Bush Terminal had its own trash and garbage disposal facility as it was essentially a self-contained industrial facility (originally a self contained military facility).

My belief is they printed the highs in the same or slightly lesser quantities as the semi-highs and then slowly sold off excess product and returns in other countries before the remainder went off to Card Collectors Company in the mid to late 50's. CCC in their March 1968 catalog still had complete high number runs for $90 and sold singles for a buck when first series cards went for 20 cents and semi highs for .15. Regular cards were 12 cents otherwise. Personally, I'd say Topps was on a commission basis with CCC and it was in their interest to keep the high number market inflated. Just a theory but I don't believe the garbage scow story and Sy Berger told a lot of whoppers about Topps over the years.

It's interesting to me that the highs on the PSA pop report only seem to be about 25% scarcer than the semi-highs. I doubt the ratio is that exact but the semi's and the highs are not all that far apart in terms of availability. Let's face it, the highs are not that scarce.

I have always heard/believed they were dumped in the ocean, but your theories also sound like a possibility?

I do disagree, however, that high numbers are just as abundant as as lower numbers, but for all I know, maybe people are just hanging onto them?

I recently got around to re-scanning all my cards, just trying to figure out/get around to uploading them to collector's focus.

Some card are obviously better than others, but it was humbling the details I now see after re-scanning them

[Leon]

As someone who has only scoured for high numbers for a very short while it seems they are more scarce even if they aren't. Searches on the bay will prove it out....not totally accurate but it should be some reflection. I believe I have around 15 high numbers that should be delivered today or tomorrow. And whomever has them isn't giving them away either!!

edited to add, I always give serious consideration to what Toppcat says concerning Topps.

Originally Posted by toppcat

I've been on record regarding the highs and don't buy the garbage scow story for a second. If the cards were, in fact, destroyed, they most likely were tossed in the furnace at Bush Terminal as Topps would not have spent the money if they could have just lit them up. I realize they had access to a dock at the facility but Bush Terminal had its own trash and garbage disposal facility as it was essentially a self-contained industrial facility (originally a self contained military facility).

My belief is they printed the highs in the same or slightly lesser quantities as the semi-highs and then slowly sold off excess product and returns in other countries before the remainder went off to Card Collectors Company in the mid to late 50's. CCC in their March 1968 catalog still had complete high number runs for $90 and sold singles for a buck when first series cards went for 20 cents and semi highs for .15. Regular cards were 12 cents otherwise. Personally, I'd say Topps was on a commission basis with CCC and it was in their interest to keep the high number market inflated. Just a theory but I don't believe the garbage scow story and Sy Berger told a lot of whoppers about Topps over the years.

It's interesting to me that the highs on the PSA pop report only seem to be about 25% scarcer than the semi-highs. I doubt the ratio is that exact but the semi's and the highs are not all that far apart in terms of availability. Let's face it, the highs are not that scarce.

[Republicaninmass]

It's interesting to me that the highs on the PSA pop report only seem to be about 25% scarcer than the semi-highs. I doubt the ratio is that exact but the semi's and the highs are not all that far apart in terms of availability. Let's face it, the highs are not that scarce.


Said nobody....ever

Maybe the reports are skewed as even a high number in psa 1 is worth quite a bit more than the grading fee? Except for the SP's in the high #200s, the highs, and a few in particular, are very tough. Try going to a show and finding any, and ask the dealers how quickly they sell.

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by Leon

edited to add, I always give serious consideration to what Toppcat says concerning Topps.

Big +1 to that.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I think Berger started that rumor to cover the fact he was inserting the leftovers in Christmas rack packs

I do not think that hobby legend has ever been fully substantiated, but think Berger did encourage it. I think it is just as logical that not nearly as many high number sheets were produced in the later portions of that summer. Good thing the Mantle was a DP

The high numbers are easier to find and cheaper than the gray back "Canadians" at this point

I believe in the original SCD article on the 52 Topps set, which had an interview with Berger he did substantiate that that story was true....regarding a barge full of 52 Topps high numbers being dumped into the ocean off of NJ. As is suggested I wouldn't put it past him to have used that story....if it is true or not....to promote the set.

I am traveling, but I saved a copy of that article.