1959 Topps white backs - which cards?
 

I read in the Standard Catalog (circa 2009 ed.) that 1959 Topps baseball can be found in both gray and white backs from 199-286. I have white back cards that are lower and higher than this number range, though, including #88 Herb Score and #376 Hal Naragon

Is there a more widely accepted range available for the white back cards? Which cards can be found with just gray backs, and which cards can be found with both gray and white backs. Are there any cards that can only be found with white backs?

1959
 

The cards you mention can be found in white or gray. All the other series in the set can be found in white or gray but not both

1-110 and 199-286 and 375-440 and 507-572 were white/cream. 118 to 198, 199 to 374 and 441 to 506 gray.

The high series, 507 to 582 have red and back in the white rather than green

That makes sense...
 

Thanks for clarifying!

Resurfacing this post from years ago because I've started to pick up some 1959s here and there.

Is the information given regarding which series were available in both white and gray backs accurate, and is there any thought on which is more common in each series?

The thread is correct. Only 199-286 come both ways. Grey is more difficult but neither is hard. I had fun building this series both ways, Maris and Aaron/Matthews are as ‘rough’ as paying for 3 copies gets going off memory.

I had a ton of the 59 3rd series cards back in the day and there was absolutely no difference between the different color 3rd series backs in terms of collector interest, pricing and availability

I have been putting together a 1959 set over the past year or so. Didn't see any differences either. But was not looking for any specific back. I ended up with 68 white backs and 20 gray backs in my 3rd series set.

Mike

Go to this site for information about the 1959 Topps set etc. Fillled with variation knowledge: Still wondering about # 240 Bauer ( Yellow name ) Real or sun damage ? Anyone have this variation and can comment on this card ? Thanks

https://baseballcardvariationsguideb...wordpress.com/

There are a bunch more recurring print defects/variants to the 59 set than those listed on that site. Mike Cady who does a great job e updating the work of Gilkeson and others there, uses a fairly narrow definition of what should be considered a true variation ( one I agree with), but has footnoted and included pics of many, but not nearly all the recurring print defects in the Topps sets listed.

Have never seen the Bauer myself in person. Doubt sun or light would change white to yellow, but we have better print experts than me on here

The Bauer, if legit, is incredibly rare. I have had no luck at actually getting one in hand to properly examine, though I doubt white could 'fade' into yellow by any natural means (though such result could be obtained from intentional doctoring of less than natural means).

Other recurring issues in the 199-286 series I have noted is Casey White, #204, with the white stock back can be found with 1) a red diamond next to the cartoon, 2) a black dot next to the cartoon or 3) clean and properly printed. gray back not affected. #256 Jerry Davie's gray stock card comes with or without extra yellow 'leaking' out of the team logo (not an alignment offset, it's too much yellow ink in total). Card 263 Bud Daley comes with or without a white dot by his shoulder, on both stocks to create 4 total cards.

Al , I also like the more narrow definition of a variation. Most ink dots, or slight color differences etc. I don't bother with. But punctuation variations or copyright errors from different print runs I think are the limit for me. Everyone has their collecting interests and that makes collecting fun for each of us.

Greg—there are a boat load of others. Can put together a list if interested

Sun damage does not add color it removes it. In modern it usually makes yellow disappear and green turns blue like the altered 1958 blue background Hank Aaron cards. In vintage it turns red to orange like the Red Cobb T206s as examples.