1952 Topps -- Card Gallery

[smellthegum]

Jansen for day #5. This one's a black back.

[LincolnVT]

I wouldn't mind trying to find a nicer example, but still like this one.

[jayshum]

I guess I never really looked at the cards that closely before, but there is definitely a consistent, noticeable difference in the coloring of the pictures between the red back and the black back card.

[irv]

Originally Posted by jayshum

I guess I never really looked at the cards that closely before, but there is definitely a consistent, noticeable difference in the coloring of the pictures between the red back and the black back card.

If I read/understood it correctly, that is the number one reason why Sy Berger changed the first print run to white/red backs as he said the black backs made the fronts of the cards too dark. Some are definitely darker/worse than others but yes, there is a definite difference.

My BB Jansen.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by irv

If I read/understand it correctly, that is the number one reason why Sy Berger changed the first print run to white/red backs as he said the black backs made the fronts of the cards too dark. Some are definitely darker/worse than others but yes, there is a definite difference.

My BB Jansen.

Thanks, Dale. I had not heard that before.

[irv]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Thanks, Dale. I had not heard that before.

You're welcome.

Although this article doesn't specifically say Sy changed the back colors, in another article I read, that I can't currently find, it read that he did.

I also know I read a few articles, likely around 4-5 yrs ago, that read that black backs were more rare/more valuable than red backs but the general consensus with members on this site say that is not true.
I know some black back cards are way tougher than some red backed cards (pop report) so those will command a premium in high grade but I guess that is as far as it goes?

"Existing in both black-back and red-back variations, it’s apparent that the red-back cards consistently offer superior picture quality, leading to speculation that Topps was not happy with their first attempt and resolved to make improvements by increasing the quality while changing the reverse color to red as a sort of “clean slate” approach. The Johnny Sain and Joe Page “wrong back” errors (#48 and #49) exist only in black-back form as they were corrected before the switch to red; only the correct version exists on the red-back variety. All cards after the first series are in red-back form only. High grade specimens of the black-back cards are almost always scarcer then their corresponding red-backs, suggesting that the switch from black to red happened fairly early in the process and considerably fewer black-backs made it into circulation.
https://milehighcardco.com/blog/the-...-is-new-again/

Here's some other great stories about the 52 Topps cards, how they came to be and how they changed the hobby/card collecting forever.
Enjoy.

http://www.sportscardradio.com/1952-...intage-review/
https://www.cardboardconnection.com/...seball-cards-2
https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...opps-baseball/
https://www.psacard.com/articles/art...than-meets-eye

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by irv

You're welcome.

Although this article doesn't specifically say Sy changed the back colors, in another article I read, that I can't currently find, it read that he did.

I also know I read a few articles, likely around 4-5 yrs ago, that read that black backs were more rare/more valuable than red backs but the general consensus with members on this site say that is not true.
I know some black back cards are way tougher than some red backed cards (pop report) so those will command a premium in high grade but I guess that is as far as it goes?

"Existing in both black-back and red-back variations, it’s apparent that the red-back cards consistently offer superior picture quality, leading to speculation that Topps was not happy with their first attempt and resolved to make improvements by increasing the quality while changing the reverse color to red as a sort of “clean slate” approach. The Johnny Sain and Joe Page “wrong back” errors (#48 and #49) exist only in black-back form as they were corrected before the switch to red; only the correct version exists on the red-back variety. All cards after the first series are in red-back form only. High grade specimens of the black-back cards are almost always scarcer then their corresponding red-backs, suggesting that the switch from black to red happened fairly early in the process and considerably fewer black-backs made it into circulation.
https://milehighcardco.com/blog/the-...-is-new-again/

Here's some other great stories about the 52 Topps cards, how they came to be and how they changed the hobby/card collecting forever.
Enjoy.

http://www.sportscardradio.com/1952-...intage-review/
https://www.cardboardconnection.com/...seball-cards-2
https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...opps-baseball/
https://www.psacard.com/articles/art...than-meets-eye

From the PSA price guide website (see below), it actually says the red backs sell for a premium, but in the SCD, it says black backs used to sell for a premium but now they are basically the same so who knows what to believe.

Notes about 1952 Topps
First series 1-80 Red Back variations usually sell for approx. 15-20% more than the listed price