Hybrid 1952 Topps 1st/2nd Series Panel

[G1911]

I've been looking out for any further evidence since this appeared, but I haven't found anything to support split series. No miscut I have been able to find supports this sheet being a general production layout, showing a card from a different series adjacent.

Possibilities:

1) It is just a pre-production sample or test of some kind, perhaps comparing series 2 printing outcome to series 1 cards to keep a consistent look. Cool and interesting, but not a paradigm shift.

2) The series 1-6 all blend together and cards were gradually replaced by other cards. Somehow this was done without any of the back differences (series 3 white stock, series 1 black backs) spilling into what we today consider a series. Alternatively, the alleged Canadian third series is not Canadian and is a product of this, being printed on a combo sheet before what we call series 2 was discontinued and removed from production sheets.

3) Instead of printing the 50 series 2 cards 4 times on a sheet (100 cards on a half sheet, 2 complete sets per) they re-printed some or all of series 1 and reissued with series 2, complicating the layout. This oddity was restricted to series 2 and only series 2.


I think something along the lines of 1 is much more likely with the available evidence and deductive reason.


EDIT: 4) It is a fake, the product of the perfect card faking ring that made undetectable fakes without leaving any trail of evidence in the 1950's or 1960's conspiracy theory that many here believe in.