1955 Topps Baseball Sheet Positions

[G1911]

Originally Posted by toppcat

I think some of the discrete numbering holes (not holdbacks of ranges of #'s) in 53 and 55 were due to uncertainty over Bowman exclusives. Not sure why 54 doesn't have the any holes but it was a very fluid situation in the courts and with the lawyers for awhile. As for holdbacks of # ranges, that seems more intentional. Topps must have needed at least four series of issue for 1954 (like the year prior) and three for 1955 with the small number of cards in those sets, especially '55 so some cardboard sorcery makes sense.

1955 seems like a right mess for sure, it must have been chaotic putting that one together.

This is how I always thought of it too; the hold backs were cards assigned to specific players that deals fell through on or jumped to Bowman. The discovery of some unused 1953 artwork being evidence this was the case, though I don't recall all the details.

I'm rethinking it now. 53 and 55 both appear to have hold backs in all (1953, EDIT: actually I think one of the series didn't...) or most (1955? Were there 2 or 3 series even?). Perhaps it was just the old trick of leaving a few numbers out to keep kids buying more gum. A missing range like this certainly lends credence to some intentional skip numbering to drive sales through dirty means. This certainly seems to be the case in 1955. I'll be looking for miscuts of 91-99 to see if any of them can be linked to other cards on the sheet.

A good reminder that right when I think I've solved a puzzle via deduction (series 1 is 1-110 because of the white backs, no SP's or DP's necessary on the 110 card sheet), it's not actually solved, just a guess that best fits the few parts of the puzzle available to me at a moment.

The traditional alignment of:
1-150
151-160
161-210 with 4 DP's in this range

is definitely wrong. Anyone have miscuts of 91-99 or 111-210 to share? I'll go hunting this week for scans outside my collection.


My 55 set is, sadly, missing Clemente as his price has taken off to a point I just find unreasonable for a high print run card. I'll probably break down at some point just to finish. Having fun piecing together a full set of white/cream backs and all the little recurring print defects too, 55-56 were just great designs I never get tired of. I got my first one almost 20 years ago, so it's been a slow, slow build among other projects. Any excuse to take it's box out of the safe and go through again is welcome

[G1911]

And as to the 1954's.... I've never made heads or tails at all out if it's series, aside from what seems the obvious that 1-50 must be a series (gray back run). Topps used 100 card half-sheets then, I believe, so this would suggest the full set twice on each side. From 51-250, I've never figured out what's up, but haven't gone to the miscuts yet to slowly try and piece together. Never seen a sheet of them or anything to cut the work down.

[coppercoins]

Ladies and Gentlemen...this phase of the project is complete. I now introduce you to the only (known) digital reproduction of the "lost" 1955 Topps Baseball Sheet #2 configuration as sold at auction in 1993 and not seen since. Original image I worked from, and the final graphic which any of you may use for whatever you like.

[G1911]

Would make a nice desktop background!