1973 Mike Schmidt Blank proof?

[Rickyy]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I have seen the 77 Proofs of R Jackson as an Oriole rather than a Yankee go for that amount and more. There are several other 77 proofs that also go for that kind of money, but mainly because they are a "variation" of the card that was actually issued in the main set. The 67 card of Maris as a Yankee rather than a Cardinal is another example of a proof that has sold at high prices, again because it is different than the regular issue. The 1960 "proofs" or variations of Hadley, Cimoli and Throneberry on teams different from their issued card are legendary in the hobby

But, when the proof card is identical to the issued card, the market seems not as enthusiastic

True that Al. The few Topps proofs I have are all different from the regular issues...those get me excited.... can't afford the 77 Jackson Orioles...but happy with my Fitzmorris...

1977 Proof

1977 Regular

Ricky Y

[ALR-bishop]

Very nice Ricky. Those are tough.

[howard38]

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[Rickyy]

Originally Posted by howard38

That's a nice looking card. Will SGC not give a numerical grade to a proof?

No numerical grade on this one...because it was hand cut from a sheet, but if I'm not mistaken, I thought I have seen a Roger Maris Yankees version get a numerical grade...

Edit to add: Yep SGC does assign a grade to handcut proofs if they have a conforming factory cut.

Ricky Y

[4reals]

great thread guys, I'm soaking up the knowledge...

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by Rickyy

No numerical grade on this one...because it was hand cut from a sheet, but if I'm not mistaken, I thought I have seen a Roger Maris Yankees version get a numerical grade...

Edit to add: Yep SGC does assign a grade to handcut proofs if they have a conforming factory cut.

Ricky Y

The Maris was "snuck" into packs in a limited quantity. I had one walk up in the 80's at a Dearborn Mich card show and the guy said he pulled it from the pack when he was young. Cool card but couldn't afford it at the time.

[ALR-bishop]

The Maris proof is usually hand cut. I had heard stories about it ending up in some packs but had never heard someone confirm that before

[Rickyy]

Interesting the first time I heard confirmation that someone got a Maris Yankees in a pack. Wonder if it was a blank back?

Ricky Y

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by Rickyy

Interesting the first time I heard confirmation that someone got a Maris Yankees in a pack. Wonder if it was a blank back?

Ricky Y

It was. Was sort of rough. Could have been a story from the guy. I, too, had read these made it into packs. I have always been fascinated with proofs since reading the Baseball Card Magazine articles in the 80's. The knowledge came in handy when a stack of uncut 81-83 Fleer sheets showed up at a Toledo, OH show. I was already aware of some of the pose variations, but made a few discoveries going card by card thru each set. Was a lot of fun! Picked up the Topps Coke Kingman & Topps Valenzuela RC proofs in trade at the time, but they are long gone.

The one good thing I still have is a very thorough "account" of what was on what sheet and how many of each I had discovered. I would like to write an article when I get a chance

[Rickyy]

Here's another bizzare variation I have from 1976 Topps....Bobby Darwin..the proof version has him wearing a Twins helmet airbrushed with Milwaukee Logo on top of his cap vs the regular issue with just the airbrushed cap on...

Keith Olbermann did an article about it on SCD back in 2008...he theorized that maybe they didn't like the initial look on the card after his trade to the Brewers....He seemed to think the proof version looks more realistic and pleasing to the eye...and I tend to agree..

Proof version


Regular version


Ricky Y

[Gmrson]

Pic #1: A 1982 sheet with several proofs including Terry Forster with green name box, Milt May and Ed Whitson have each others photos, checklists for the Tigers, Indians, Angels and Twins have differing legends. Checklist #660 has a white box and incorrect titles listed and caption changes on 6 of the "specials" cards

Pic #2 Doug DeCinces card listing him as Pat Kelly

Pic #3 an unissued Ron Pruitt card-he didn't have an '81 Fleer card

Pic #4 an unissued Rick Honeycutt card-he didn't have an '81 Fleer card (was on the same sheet as the Pruitt)

One card I expected to find but was not there was a 1981 Fleer Aurelio Lopez who was listed on the 1st printing Tigers checklist