1961 Topps Roger Maris Blank Back

[ALR-bishop]

Finished Salesman Samples do not have blank backs.

I think it is usually impossible to tell if a blank back card or strip or sheet is a proof or an error unless the card, sheet or strip shows a player pictured differently from an issued card ) like the 77 Jackson as an Oriole, or the 67 Maris as a Yankee, or the 84 Topps Encased cards), or came from Topps vault designated as such, or appears to be a progressive color proof ( that is clearly not a faded card ) .

I have seen blank back verified proofs sell for large premiums, blank back errors for lesser premiums.

I have collected the Topps 1985 Mini set in regular back, blank back, red back only, and distorted backs. ( have completed it only in regular and blank back). The blank backs can be tan or white. Since the whole set is essentially a non issued test set all versions of the non regular backs tend to sell at a premium over regular backs.

Several examples of blank back cards have been posted in the never ending variations thread. I think the value of any particular blank back star card is hard to predict.

[bigfanNY]

Just to chime in ALR is a great resource for all things rare and topps. A proof esp those that have topps certs from vault or auction sell for more than blank backed cards that came from packs. That said blank backed and wronged back topps from the 50's 60's and early 70's are scarce. A May's blank back should attract attention from player and error collectors if it shows up for sale or in an auction. The others will find buyers as well. Hope this helps
Jonathan

[Mark70Z]

Ben,

Really like the look of your Maris blank back card. Like some have said I wouldn’t have an issue with trimming to normal size since it looks to be hand cut already. I have a few BB cards and they are all regular sized.

I’m not a slabbed card fan so I wouldn’t encase it, but it wouldn’t be a problem if you choose to do so if you like the look or want to sell that way. It may get a few extra bucks listed as authentic and blank backed.

I don’t know if there’s a way to tell if a blank back is an error that was unintentionally put in a pack, a blank backed sheet that was cut or from a discarded scrap. In your example it’s likely it was from a scrap sheet that was cut.