Yount Rookie Variation?
 

I don't know whether this has been discussed before on this forum...
The '75 Yount Rookie; a small percentage of them come with what look like blue clouds in the background. This is definitely not a "print mark" as aproximately 10-15% of the Yount Rookies you come across have these "clouds." My questions:

1. Are these considered variations?
2. What do the grading companies do with otherwise sharp Younts? Do the blue clouds detract from the grade? Are they given qualifiers? Can anyone explain from experience?

I ask because I have a razor sharp '75 set with a razor sharp "blue cloud" Yount. I'm wondering if I need to upgrade (which I'd perfer not to do). A replacement in this condition would set me back quite a bit. I tried to attach an ebay link to one of these Younts so you can see what I'm referring to. Not sure if it will work. Thank you in advance.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-Topps-2...ht_1548wt_1107

Unfortunately, I don't think that is a variant per se, more of a PD, though I have never seen a Yount graded PD because of it. There are any number of 70s Topps cards that wind up with similar excess ink.

Variants
 

I am a fairly avid collector of variant cards...which for me is just a card that differs in some respect from other cards like it...like this one, for whatever reason. I do not view such print differences or defects as variations....which for me are cards that differ because the manufacturer intentionally changed the card in some way or changed the printing process itself.

But, there are some cards, like the 57, Bakep, the 58 Herrer and the 61 Fairly, that while just print defects to me, are certainly treated by the hobby as variations. Everyone is entitled to their own view.

But what causes the value of a card to rise is when the print defect or variation or variant gets hobby recognition in a hobby catalog or the Registry master list. The process by which that happens these days seems hap hazard at best.

As an example take the 1952 Topps black star Campos. Some think it is a print defect others a real variation caused by a printing change. But, if you look on ebay now for Campos variations you will see two 1952 Campos cards that have a portion of the front border missing. These cards are more scarce than the black star version, but so far have no catalog or Registry recognition although it has been written about in SCD and was included in the 1952 Super Set that was recently auctioned, so it is starting to get some hobby recognition.

I know some folks who are working hard to get either or both SCD and PSA to recognize certain cards they have as "variations" If it happens, the value would soar, just like it did for the 61 Fairly green smudge card

"Fairly avid"?

That made me laugh out loud.

Doug

Thanks for the responses, but what I was really trying to find out was, does this version (variation?) of the Yount detract from the card's value? If I had an otherwise perfect card (I do), do I want to upgrade this so as to keep the integrity of my high grade set?

Well, that's entirely up to you. Does the card you have fit your high grade set parameters or not? It's all in the eye of the beholder. If you think you can do better, then by all means start looking. If it looks fine to you, then stand pat.

+3

Bullying
 

Leon---I am being bullied :)