The white area is just the edge of the orange showing since it's a bit off register to the right.
Pretty interesting topic.
I think the more white backgrounds are probably from boxes with a white layer printed before the orange and blue. Or printed on a white rather than cream surfaced stock.
Here's a complete box from Legendary that looks very light.
http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...and-Campanella
Maybe a late year change? I found pics of a couple 53 boxes that had the license plates and both of those looked white.
The white would add a bit of cost, but would also make the boxes look better on the shelf- brighter, cleaner, more modern.
I also comared it to my Musial, and while most fakes or reprints have a lack of detail and crispness, yours is printed a bit better than mine, with a bit more detail.
Steve B