1952 topps house gray/yellow

[flkersn]

As some of you probably know, last week EBay listed a gray-back, yellow-logo #146 1952 Topps Frank House. I am intrigued by the existence of this card since it combines two factors. I wonder what it says about the printing/production process.

The assumptions generally are that Topps ran out of cream card stock and substituted gray stock, or vice versa. Also that the yellow logo variation is the result of ink slowly fading from the printing. (There are many examples of logos with increasingly "fading" red color).

Does this mean that the stock was changed while the ink was running out? If so, why do most House gray backs have the regular logo? Were two presses running simultaneously, one with cream and one with gray, and both running out of ink?

Two different card stocks, each with the same range of variations. I can't figure it out. Does it shed any light on the "white border" gray backs?

It's probably obvious, but it goes right by me. I welcome any thoughts or speculations.

Bill

[ALR-bishop]

Bill

I was not aware of the auction and would not have expected there to be a gray back/yellow. Any chance it was not a true gray back ? Do you by chance have a link to the auction ? How much did it go for ? Very interesting . Absent it, my thinking was the same as yours

Al

[flkersn]

It was graded by PSA as a gray back PSA 5. Topps does not designate yellow logo.

Went for over $3500.

Not sure how to put a link on here. If you look at CardTarget.com and search 1952 Topps house (past auction results) you will see it. Maybe someone else is more tech-savvy than me!

[Cliff Bowman]

I saw the card on sold listings on eBay, and I believe it is a mistake by PSA (which isn't rare). It looks like a normal cream back to me. They probably meant to put yellow logo rather than gray back.

[Cliff Bowman]

Photo of the front.

[ALR-bishop]

I did finally find the auction and could not tell from the scan if back was gray for sure. The yellow House and the grays in general both go for large premiums but the amount paid on this one would seem to indicate some master set collector considered it both gray and yellow. Maybe someone who posts on 54 ?