1962 "Bucks" aluminum proof plate

[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.

[laughlinfan]

[dup]

[laughlinfan]

The mylar proofs make good sense, as you could stack them to see the full color result. The aluminum proofs just never made much sense to me. Anyone know the confirmed years that aluminum proofs were used? I think we have all seen a ton of them from 1962.

[steve B]

The aluminum ones are pieces of actual printing plates. Not really proofs. it's likely we see a bunch of them because someone saved a stack. Either from inside Topps, or at the recycling/scrap metal place they sent the plates to.

Steve B

[mmcgruff]

I wish I could describe it better for you guys. I have it kept in a pvc one pocket sheet along with the note from the seller. Like I said before, it is very flimsy, color is black or perhaps a charcoal color and along the bottom is grey.

[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

[aelefson]

Hi-
In the early 1990s, there was an advertisement in SCD for the plates. I believe nearly a full set was advertised (the Mantle might have been sold before the ad came out). I purchased two checklists because they were the cheapest ones available (I think I paid 5.00 each plus shipping). I sold them several years ago. I do not remember which dealer had these for sale. If I remember correctly, they were either purchased from a former Topps employee or found in a warehouse.
Alan