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-   -   OT - 1993 Topps R&N China Porcelain cards (http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=130412)

DaClyde 12-03-2010 07:02 AM

OT - 1993 Topps R&N China Porcelain cards
 
According to the 2003 Standard Catalog, R&N China produced the entire 1993 Topps set in porcelain, 5000 each for the milestone cards (multiples of 10) and 1000 each for all the rest. I've only been able to track down evidence of about 30 or so (a surprising mix of stars and commons) on eBay and the auction house sites and was wondering if anyone remembers how these were originally solicited?

I've seen magazine ads for the original "Dream Team" set, the Mantle set and the Ryan set, but I've never seen any advertising material relating to the 1993 Topps set. Four of the players I collect would be in the set, but I'm getting the impression that a relatively small quantity of those produced actually made it into circulation, otherwise I would expect to see more copies of the Derek Jeter draft pick card in circulation (I've only seen one, so far).

Does anyone have any information on these or know if there is some dealer/collector that managed to hoard a large number of them? Mentioning this set on a couple other boards, there is sort of a common notion that the entire set wasn't really produced and that possibly R&N China only produced them to order (I'm not sure how feasible that would be) not expecting 1000 orders for the likes of Mark McLemore or Charlie Hayes.

ALR-bishop 12-03-2010 09:01 AM

Topps Poceleins
 
I had a goal to collect every Topps set or card listed in The Standard Catalog through 1994 ( after that I just went to standard sets, updates and then Heritage). I was worried how I would be able to do this set since it seemed like a monumental task. Fortunately the set got removed from the Catalog ( at least for 93/94) and I gladly have ignored it since.

Good luck on your quest

DaClyde 12-03-2010 11:47 AM

Thanks. I highly doubt R&N China produced any of the checklist cards, which sort of has me wondering if maybe they did the players from the Topps Gold set instead....if so that adds one more player I collect (Bernardo Brito). Does anyone know if the Franklin Mint or Danbury Mint keep track of their previous offerings and might have information on this set?

DaClyde 07-31-2011 09:54 AM

Just a slight update here, I've managed to track down evidence of 39 cards from the 1993 set so far and am updating my blog posting on it as I find more cards.

1993 Topps / R&N China porcelain baseball cards

DaClyde 02-03-2013 04:35 PM

To update since the last post, I have now identified 55 cards from this set. It seems every few months another card or two surfaces on eBay.

ALR-bishop 02-04-2013 08:42 AM

RJN China Cards
 
As mentioned above I do not collect them but wanted one example. Here is the only one I have

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1338045506

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1338045590

DaClyde 09-24-2014 02:14 PM

Been awhile since I last updated this, but I have now identified 77 cards from this set. Haven't seen a new one in several months now and I'm no closer to picking up the cards I actually want.

ALR-bishop 09-24-2014 02:19 PM

1993 Topps Porcelein
 
I admire your tenacity Jason. Can you post a couple of examples. Are they numbered ? As I mentioned earlier the Standard catalog at one time listed the set, but in later additions removed it...much to my relief

DaClyde 09-24-2014 06:46 PM

My list of confirmed cards is now up to 80 of 825, so almost 10% of the set exists. They're all supposed to be numbered, but many I've seen on eBay are missing the actual hand-number and just have a blank. Maybe they later only wrote the actual numbers on the little paper certificate, like with the Santiago. Lately I've just seen the same dozen or so cards from the same sellers being listed over and over. There is a Jeter on eBay right now, but based on the numbering, it's not part of this series. As card #98, it should only be numbered to 1000, but the one listed is numbered 2828.

ALR-bishop 09-24-2014 07:04 PM

1993
 
Thanks Jason. Very interesting

DaClyde 01-19-2015 09:45 AM

Three more cards hit eBay this weekend. Now added to the list of 1993 cards are:

168 Kevin Maas
304 Melido Perez
530 Sterling Hitchcock

This brings the total of confirmed cards to 83 of 825.

DaClyde 03-04-2015 03:54 PM

#399 Daryl Boston turned up on eBay today, that's 84 of 825.

GasHouseGang 03-04-2015 04:07 PM

Well, based on your initial posting date, and today, you've been at this for just over 4 years. At your current pace, it should only take you 39 years to finish the set.:D

DaClyde 03-04-2015 04:12 PM

I'm praying that someone turns up a massive stash of these when someone on "Storage Wars" wins the storage unit that belonged to R&N China before they went under. At which point I will acquire a thousand or so and re-tile my bathroom.

mybestbretts 03-06-2015 06:42 PM

93 R @ N China cards
 
2 Attachment(s)
I have a couple of these. Really poor qualityAttachment 181964

Attachment 181965

DaClyde 04-04-2015 11:46 AM

Another batch has surfaced:

Quite a nice pile of these turned up on eBay last night, allowing me to add this group of top notch superstar talent to the checklist.

58 Jose Melendez
76 Kevin Appier
180 Darren Daulton
237 Jose Vizcaino
281 Butch Henry
591 Alex Cole
741 Mike Devereaux

Now were up to 91/825! I believe that may knock my estimated time to completion down to 38 years.

ALR-bishop 04-04-2015 12:29 PM

Long term project
 
Jason-- you might want to treat this like the Crazy Horse Monument and both enlist your heirs and set up a trust fund to carry this project forward after you are gone :)

ALR-bishop 09-10-2015 10:06 AM

Chinettes
 
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e11021...3D291558871415

Coninefan 09-10-2015 11:32 AM

I have the Jeff Conine. It isn't individually numbered, it just says '____ of 1000' on the back

DaClyde 08-30-2017 03:12 PM

It's me, again. Back with my occasional update to this thread. This week, two more cards from the 1993 set hit eBay. These bring the total to something like 104 of 825 confirmed.

#60 Roberto Kelly (which I snapped up, excitedly)
#207 Paul Molitor

Rich Klein 08-31-2017 03:42 PM

reading through this thread; my instinct says R&N did produce the entire set. Albeit in nowhere near the supposed quantities. I wonder, if this set was sent almost totally outside the hobby and most of the people who bought these kept these.

What I learned is when you have a set such as this, and assuming my hypothesis is correct about "retail" distribution, then not many of these cards pop into the secondary market.

That is, because, there is not a ton of cards available for people to get a value (or a price guide value) and no one ever wants to feel they sold for less than they feel they should. it's actually a fascinating study into human behavior

Rich

DaClyde 09-01-2017 08:05 PM

Another eagle-eye'd collector spotted an auction I'd missed with a mess of Braves that had not surfaced before, so the following have been added to the confirmed list (raising the total to 108 of 825):

224 Sid Bream
280 Tom Glavine
552 Jeff Blauser
650 Terry Pendleton

DaClyde 10-10-2017 10:47 AM

Thanks again to Mr. Willency, another five cards have been added to the checklist:

75 Juan Guzman
240 John Olerud
270 Frank Viola
413 Pete Smith
709 Jeff Juden

We are now at 113 of 825. If we can keep up a pace of of 3-5 cards per month, we might knock out the checklist in the next decade!

ALR-bishop 10-10-2017 12:10 PM

You may look like your avatar on completion :)

WizardofOz1982 06-22-2019 06:57 AM

Know I'm bumping an old post
 
but if the entire set was made I'm looking for the Jeff Frye #197 for my PC.

Exhibitman 06-22-2019 12:26 PM

I love this obscure stuff...

DaClyde 07-26-2019 05:07 PM

I just noticed a new one today on eBay:

123 Moises Alou.

I think that puts the total confirmed at 119/825.

Exhibitman 07-27-2019 10:55 AM

These are fun as hell, very pleased to add these to my Ryan collection

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...20Ryan%201.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...20Ryan%202.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...20Ryan%201.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...20Ryan%202.jpg

ALR-bishop 08-04-2019 01:38 PM

Those are nice Adam. I like them but a set of 825 would be a "heavy" burden Jason

Exhibitman 08-04-2019 01:44 PM

That's why I'd only collect a player or two. Picked up the 1989 Ryan for a buck at the National.

I can't believe these were nearly $20 each when issued.

ALR-bishop 08-04-2019 04:28 PM

When I bought the Mantle above you could get one for all or at least most of his Topps cards

DaClyde 08-04-2019 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop (Post 1905387)
Those are nice Adam. I like them but a set of 825 would be a "heavy" burden Jason

I couldn't image attempting to complete this set. There are only a handful I'm chasing. Now you've got me curious how much they actually weigh...

DaClyde 09-22-2019 08:54 AM

Big update. Someone just posted a listing on eBay of porcelain cards of 25 players from the 1993 Colorado Rockies. Not all of them are in Rockies uniforms, so I'll note that in the additions below. This listing added 13 new cards to my ever-growing checklist. That puts the set at 132/825.

173 Andres Galarraga (Cardinals)
209 Jeff Parrett (A's)
356 Freddie Benavides (Reds)
425 Joe Girardi
444 David Nied
445 Dale Murphy (Phillies)
504 Gene Lamont / Don Baylor MGR
523 Doug Bochtler
551 Eric Young
644 Dante Bichette
676 Rudy Seanez
681 Darren Holmes
732 Travis Buckley

rigsrm 02-03-2020 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaClyde (Post 852397)
According to the 2003 Standard Catalog, R&N China produced the entire 1993 Topps set in porcelain, 5000 each for the milestone cards (multiples of 10) and 1000 each for all the rest. I've only been able to track down evidence of about 30 or so (a surprising mix of stars and commons) on eBay and the auction house sites and was wondering if anyone remembers how these were originally solicited?

I've seen magazine ads for the original "Dream Team" set, the Mantle set and the Ryan set, but I've never seen any advertising material relating to the 1993 Topps set. Four of the players I collect would be in the set, but I'm getting the impression that a relatively small quantity of those produced actually made it into circulation, otherwise I would expect to see more copies of the Derek Jeter draft pick card in circulation (I've only seen one, so far).

Does anyone have any information on these or know if there is some dealer/collector that managed to hoard a large number of them? Mentioning this set on a couple other boards, there is sort of a common notion that the entire set wasn't really produced and that possibly R&N China only produced them to order (I'm not sure how feasible that would be) not expecting 1000 orders for the likes of Mark McLemore or Charlie Hayes.

Hi. Ive acquired about 15 of these 93topps porcelain cards. About 10 braves and rest misc teams. If anyone has more info on these please let me know. I have mostly 502/1000 and some matching artist proofs, which is awesome. THANKS

DaClyde 02-03-2020 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rigsrm (Post 1952425)
Hi. Ive acquired about 15 of these 93topps porcelain cards. About 10 braves and rest misc teams. If anyone has more info on these please let me know. I have mostly 502/1000 and some matching artist proofs, which is awesome. THANKS

This is something of a jackpot, as from the photos you sent me, I was able to add 12 new cards to the on-going checklist:

77 Junior Felix
102 Brian Hunter
144 Kent Mercker
306 Damon Berryhill
437 Chris Hammond
517 Bill Pecota
578 Dave Magadan
580 Walt Weiss
583 Marvin Freeman
643 Luis Aquino
708 Greg Olson
769 Francisco Cabrera

And add one more for that half an Otis Nixon (#333) you found.

That puts the list to 145 of 825.

buymycards 02-03-2020 06:34 PM

1993's
 
There are 17 of these listed on COMC.

https://www.comc.com/Cards/Baseball/...ls,i100,=china

DaClyde 04-27-2020 08:49 AM

A fascinating item hit ebay. A full box and display for the 1993 Topps/R&N China porcelain magnets!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1993-TOPPS-...Y/233571456655

----

On another note, is there any way this thread can be moved into the post-1990 forum? It was started before that forum existed, but now it is out of place.

ALR-bishop 04-27-2020 09:34 AM

moving thread
 
Jason---pm Leon about moving it

DaClyde 09-05-2020 07:36 AM

Up to 146 confirmed, as #482 Darren Reed was listed on eBay this morning.

I mean, at this point, there just HAS to be a Hensley Meulens, right?

DaClyde 09-05-2020 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaClyde (Post 1905499)
I couldn't image attempting to complete this set. There are only a handful I'm chasing. Now you've got me curious how much they actually weigh...

For kicks, I weighed my Roberto Kelly card on my postage scale and it reported 0.8oz. That means the entire set, just cards without packaging, would weight 41.25lbs!

sbfinley 09-05-2020 10:09 AM

I’m not sure what your checklist looks like, but I can confirm the full Braves team set and the Maddux Topps Traded. I received them for Christmas in 93 or 94 from my uncle. I don’t remember how they were packaged, but each came with a wooden block shaped like home plate to display them.

DaClyde 09-05-2020 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbfinley (Post 2014960)
I’m not sure what your checklist looks like, but I can confirm the full Braves team set and the Maddux Topps Traded. I received them for Christmas in 93 or 94 from my uncle. I don’t remember how they were packaged, but each came with a wooden block shaped like home plate to display them.

Excellent. If you still have them, I have not yet confirmed the existence of the following Braves:

8 Mark Wolhers
35 John Smoltz
62 Rafael Belliard
88 Mike Stanton
198 Alejandro Pena
251 Mike Bielecki
475 Jeff Reardon
677 Charlie Leibrandt

Do you have these? Were any of the draft picks, multiple rookies/prospects or manager card included in the set?

Rookiemonster 09-05-2020 07:29 PM

I have a autographed 1952 Willie Mays R&N China. I got it from a card shop unauthenticated for $30 dollars. I later got it authenticated by JSA. The story from the shop owner was that the card was purchased years ago by a from a old man that had a bunch of just 52 Mays all signed. This being the last one he had.

sbfinley 09-05-2020 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaClyde (Post 2015038)
Excellent. If you still have them, I have not yet confirmed the existence of the following Braves:

8 Mark Wolhers
35 John Smoltz
62 Rafael Belliard
88 Mike Stanton
198 Alejandro Pena
251 Mike Bielecki
475 Jeff Reardon
677 Charlie Leibrandt

Do you have these? Were any of the draft picks, multiple rookies/prospects or manager card included in the set?



I should have been more specific. The set (or group I had) were normal base cards only. It didn’t have the Chipper or the Klesko prospect cards, the Javy Draft Pick card, or the Cox (I think they were dual that year, like Cox and Cito Gaston maybe?) I can 100% verify the Smoltz as I displayed the Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux, and Avery together for years. The rest I am fairly certain were included, but they haven’t seen daylight since Christmas 93 or 94. I’ll also add that I don’t remember the McGriff and I think he had a TT card in 93. I still have them all packed away somewhere between my house, garage, storage unit, or at my father’s. I probably haven’t seen them in 20 years but if I come across them I’d be more than happy to send them your way.

As an aside, have you checked old shop at home videos? My Uncle who gifted them to me almost certainly got them from there. He was the other collector in my family, and his bricks of Classic Draft pick cards and unlicensed rookies were going to be his retirement. My closet in my youth was loaded with uncut sheets, plaques, and the usual HSN variety from him.

Exhibitman 12-23-2020 11:18 AM

Going through the R & N porcelains I have I noticed a few from different sets:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...1%20Mantle.jpg

This Bowman has gold edging and the back says "R & N China Co., Inc." at the top and "Limited Edition #_____ 10,000 sets" at the bottom. Mine is #860

Then there is this one:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...n%20Mantle.jpg

It has a gold embossed seat front left which reads "1931 1995 Mickey Mantle" with a Topps logo. The back says it is from the Mickey Mantle Commemorative Set. The # is "2656/S5" and handwritten.

ALR-bishop 12-23-2020 01:33 PM

There are porcelains of all or at least most Topps and Bowman Mantles. I think they are neat. Those are good ones Adam

homerunderby 12-29-2020 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhibitman (Post 2048817)
Going through the R & N porcelains I have I noticed a few from different sets:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...1%20Mantle.jpg

This Bowman has gold edging and the back says "R & N China Co., Inc." at the top and "Limited Edition #_____ 10,000 sets" at the bottom. Mine is #860

Then there is this one:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...n%20Mantle.jpg

It has a gold embossed seat front left which reads "1931 1995 Mickey Mantle" with a Topps logo. The back says it is from the Mickey Mantle Commemorative Set. The # is "2656/S5" and handwritten.

I think all of the regular issue Mantle's are available in this format, I have 4 myself. If I remember correctly they were offered through a firm called The Hamilton Collection.

There's a bunch of porcelain sets aside from the 1993's, here are just a few
-1962 Topps Babe Ruth Story (10)
-T206
-Yankees legends, a few Yankees stars from the 50's like Stengel, Berra, etc
-Rookie cards- Rookies from the 70's and 80's mainly, guys like Bonds, Eckersley, Puckett, Henderson
-Nolan Ryan (every regular Topps Ryan from 68-93)

There's also a number of single player sets where one or more cards are autographed. I know Ripken has one. There's also a few R&N China which are reprints of Upper Deck cards.

Exhibitman 12-30-2020 12:53 PM

I've decided to keep this one for my '1952' collection:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...2%20Mantle.jpg

Not likely to own the real thing. The rest I am going to sell starting next week. I've just got too much extraneous stuff.

DaClyde 05-12-2021 06:13 AM

Time for a 2021 update. Just added the following new cards to the checklist:

190 Doug Drabek
201 Jose Uribe

That brings the verified total to 148 (though honestly the Jeter is still iffy as far as belonging to this set).

Zach Wheat 05-12-2021 08:23 AM

Jason,

There have to be several versions of at lease some of these pieces of sports nostalgia. I have seen examples that do not contain the Topps licensing information and have language included that they are "sports nostalgia". They also state they are produced by R & N China Co. out of Carrollton, OH.

Happy collecting.


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