1979 Topps "Faceless" error

[steve B]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

Not in '79 anyway. I suppose today there could be some sort of mix-up involving face recognition software.

It could* happen, something getting stuck to the paper then coming off would do it. But to have it affect a particular spot so exactly would be nearly impossible unless it was deliberate.

*Could in this case being a sort of scientific could. meaning it's technically possible no matter how incredibly unlikely. Like aliens could be responsible for ufo reports that coincide with the flight path of the Goodyear blimp.
Or I could potentially score a touchdown in the NFL. (Unlikely due to age, slowness, lack of nearly any conditioning at all, and a number of other reasons. )

Steve B

[Robs70sCards]

hmmmm....in 79 I was 10 years old and had literally thousands of 1979 Topps Baseball cards...don't remember the faceless Don Hood card. I did come across a few of them the other day cleaning out the garage.

Maybe I should put my 1/1 1979 Topps Gary Carter on Ebay...he's holding a flail instead of a bat...$199 seems like a real steal compared to the Faceless Hood...

[Robs70sCards]

....

[JTysver]

Originally Posted by steve B

It could* happen, something getting stuck to the paper then coming off would do it. But to have it affect a particular spot so exactly would be nearly impossible unless it was deliberate.

*Could in this case being a sort of scientific could. meaning it's technically possible no matter how incredibly unlikely. Like aliens could be responsible for ufo reports that coincide with the flight path of the Goodyear blimp.
Or I could potentially score a touchdown in the NFL. (Unlikely due to age, slowness, lack of nearly any conditioning at all, and a number of other reasons. )

Steve B

Actually it's four color press. things basically don't stick to the paper, they stick to the printing plates. It would have other colors in it.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by JTysver

Actually it's four color press. things basically don't stick to the paper, they stick to the printing plates. It would have other colors in it.

Ever have a piece of tape get into the paper stack? Or sweat on a sheet on a very hot day? Or cellophane, or powder, or ..........

LOTS of stuff can get on the paper at various points in the process. Yes, it's usually spotted and removed as defective, or comes off after one color.

And no, I don't think the card is anything but erased.


Steve B

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve B

And no, I don't think the card is anything but erased.
Steve B

I 100% disagree, that is rattle can white paint over the face. No way that card looks like that from ink removal in my amateur opinion.

A fun fact. There is no white ink on a baseball card. All the white you see is the white card stock the other 4 colors are printed on. I have been amazed over the years how many advanced collectors thought the white on cards was printed on them.

EDIT: I messaged the seller and asked if it was semi gloss or flat white paint. If they respond I will let everyone know what type of paint it is.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I 100% disagree, that is rattle can white paint over the face. No way that card looks like that from ink removal in my amateur opinion.

A fun fact. There is no white ink on a baseball card. All the white you see is the white card stock the other 4 colors are printed on. I have been amazed over the years how many advanced collectors thought the white on cards was printed on them.

EDIT: I messaged the seller and asked if it was semi gloss or flat white paint. If they respond I will let everyone know what type of paint it is.

Man, if it's rattlecan, that's a load of masking work . I guess not too bad with the new blue stuff, but still way more work than an eraser.

What would be really funny would be a card erased by the press operator before the glosscoat went on. Maybe a guy mad about the Bump Wills error hype getting back at the hobby.

And just how the heck would we classify a card produced as a prank, not a true variation, but factory? The 81 fleer hand/finger variations which I believe are mischief more than anything else affected a bunch of cards because the plate was probably modified, but a bit of foolery on one card out of millions?

Steve B

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by steve B

Man, if it's rattlecan, that's a load of masking work . I guess not too bad with the new blue stuff, but still way more work than an eraser.

What would be really funny would be a card erased by the press operator before the glosscoat went on. Maybe a guy mad about the Bump Wills error hype getting back at the hobby.

And just how the heck would we classify a card produced as a prank, not a true variation, but factory? The 81 fleer hand/finger variations which I believe are mischief more than anything else affected a bunch of cards because the plate was probably modified, but a bit of foolery on one card out of millions?

Steve B

Actually it is really easy to mask off and use a rattle can. I do it all the time when I make superfractors. I print the image reversed on clear acetate. Then mask off the part I dont want to refract and paint it white. Then assemble the layers.

[bnorth]

Been messaging with this seller. The replies are priceless. Here is the latest. I sent the seller a picture of savedfrommyspokes awesome version.

The one you just send looks NOTHING like this one. You almost HAVE to see it in person.and why is it "basically impossible" for Topps in 1979 to have factory error? They still make them in 2017!