1972 T0PPS test set of 1953 reprints

[moeson]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I have the set, and think I saw most if not all of a set on eBay recently ( offered as singles). I see them offered on eBay from time to time, not infrequently I think.

I still think there has to be more to the story behind this set where 3 of only 8 cards are mis identified. . The idea they had these 8 pictures but wanted to upgrade the set with better named players to market it on a test basis in Brooklyn hoping no one would notice seems far fetched .

Do we know of any other hobby publications that noted the issuance or release of the set ?

I checked my run of Ballcard Collector and found these two:

[ALR-bishop]

Good input again Howie.

[Griffins]

When all the reports of this set clearly state they were issued in '72 how did they get to be known as a '73 set?

[ALR-bishop]

I assume because it originally was listed that way in the SCD Catalog.

On a lot of the offbeat Topps sets there has been ongoing debate about year of production, year of release, or whether they were released over a period of time.

I think this is a fascinating and mysterious set

[egri]

I thought the last paragraph in the first photo Howie posted was interesting, about how age must be factored in to grading.

I'm also curious about Topps mislabeling three of the cards. If they were going to upgrade the players and hope no one would notice, I would think that they would choose a better player than Clyde McCullough.

[Griffins]

Originally Posted by egri

I thought the last paragraph in the first photo Howie posted was interesting, about how age must be factored in to grading.

I'm also curious about Topps mislabeling three of the cards. If they were going to upgrade the players and hope no one would notice, I would think that they would choose a better player than Clyde McCullough.

that was my thought too- Paige and Robinson make sense, but Peanuts Lowrey? Clyde McCullough? So much of this set doesn't make any sense, they took a lot of time to design it and write up the backs, but then didn't bother getting 3 images right, and a totally random selection of players.

Howie, thanks for posting those articles.

[ALR-bishop]

1973 may have made sense as a 20th anniversary tribute of some kind. Dave Hornish has speculated the annual Rookie Banquet and they did apparently have one that year, in fact every year starting in 1959 until at least 2004. Not sure after that.

And in a way, Vic Janowicz was better known than McCullough, albeit as a professional football player and former Heisman Trophy winner

And, if it was released even on a limited basis in 1973 it raises a similar question raised by the 1971 Greatest Moments, why not any wrappers, packs or boxes ( I realize a wrapper and box have surfaced for The Greatest Moments, but not enough to indicate a general or even limited retail release to me)