1962 "Bucks" aluminum proof plate

[steve B]

But that's exactly what seems odd to me. I'd be surprised to see the promo flyer with a solid black background, but with no shading on the picture sections. It certainly does look like that's what they did though. Thin aluminum with a gray surface on one side is what the plates were like (And probably still are)

Anyone have a pic of the actual flyer?

Steve B

[drc]

I'm confident it's genuine.

[mmcgruff]

I appreciate all your comments on this guys. I paid $30.00 for it off of ebay several years ago and still have the note attached to it from the seller.

[mmcgruff]

I know it sounds very cheap especially if it is authentic. In case it is not, then I won't sweat it. Happened long ago and it's out the window.

[drc]

I don't know why it wouldn't be authentic. I've never seen a forged aluminum proof, and if someone was going to make a forgery it would be of Mantle card or something on that order, not a half done add like this. Also aluminum of Topps products exist, most coming from the Topps archives.

That's why I said I was confident it was genuine.

I had a few aluminum prrofs for period Topps football cards from the 1989 Topps Archive auction, and they were similar. Black and white on thin aluminum and with incomplete graphics.

[laughlinfan]

Anyone know why Topps used these aluminum proofs for a couple years, instead of the paper proofs they used in subsequent years?

[drc]

I've seen 1970s Topps proofs on mylar (clear plastic). I don't know why they used different materials.

[jbaskin]

I'm noticing that aluminum proof plates for cards appear only for the 1962 set. Is there something particular about that year or did the plates from other years not get saved?

[steve B]

They probably didn't get saved. The place I worked for recycled all their plates, and some were used as dustpans as they could get under the paper scraps. There was no need to save them as a new plate could always be made from the masks. When the Hunts tried to corner the silver market many of those got recycled too.

Sometimes they'd get used outside the shop. One guy used them to cover holes in his car. And the larger ones made a nice roof for a doghouse

Most of the 62s we see probably came from someones leftovers from some project at home, or were rescued by the recycling guy.

Steve B