Topps Venezuelans

[Orioles1954]

I'm under the impression that Venezuelans weren't distributed in traditional wax packs with gum. Rather, they were issued with albums and glue. Not sure it is necessarily cultural, but simply how they were distributed.

[begsu1013]

pretty sure, but not 100%, that they didn't come glued in the albums. they didn't come in "wax" packs either, rather a crude type of "envelope". again, in no way an expert.

but I think the jist of it was to buy the "packs" and then buy the album and glue them to the album yourself to complete the set.

again, confident, but not 100%...

edited to add:

I would like to know more about the 72 stamps though. the 72 ryan stamp has eluded me for years...where as the 68 rook did take a while, but haven't even seen the 72 in person or heard of someone actually owning one...seen a pic and reminds me of 59 topps a lil...

I've been working on the 1967 Major League set for going on three years now and I can attest to it's difficulty. Some cards are just impossible. I missed out on one of the tough ones on eBay some months back and I seriously wonder if I'll ever see another example. I have managed to put together 35 of 150 so far. Great set, but tough.

[Exhibitman]

As far as the culture goes the tradition of mfg albums to paste cards into goes back to the prewar issues of all sports and nonsports. I collect boxing and soccer cards too and the Latin American cards from candy issuers and many tobacco companies are made with albums. We simply don't do that here. The few albums I can think of like Leaf were made with slots to tip in the cards. The only glue in albums I can think of were a few topps special issues like the bazooka stickers or the FB 4 on 1 from 1969.

[Bestdj777]

From my experiences, the toughest by far is the 1959 Creme backs followed by the 1959 Gray backs, 1968, and the 1960. After that, I have found them relatively easy and available. Here are a few of my favorites (the 59 is a gray back):



Not a bad scan... It actually looks like that.


The Venezuelan is on the right. The other is a poorly trimmed U.S. issue I have to upgrade at some point...

[whiteymet]

Hi Gents:

Was Ashburn issued in any of the sets from Venezuela? If so what years?

Any available?

Please advise.

Thanks,

Fred

[a761506]

No Ashburn's.

As far as issue, they definitely came in wax packs with gum. I know people who lived in Caracas and remember opening packs of them.

No full wrapper or unopened pack has ever surfaced, but finding remnants of the pack on the cards is not overly uncommon.

Albums were only issued for '64, '66 & '67.

[Orioles1954]

A lot of questions emerge about distribution:

1.) I've handled many Topps Venezuelan cards over the past ten years and have never come across wax staining.

2.) Unless they borrowed U.S. packaging, it seems very unlikely that at least a wrapper or panel of a display box has not survived. That makes me think the traditional 24 pack wax box may have not been employed here. Perhaps cello packs?

3.) Why were albums released for some sets and not others?

4.) Were packs limited only to Venezuelan major cities?

5.) Could finding "remnants of the pack" be confused with scrapbook residue?

[BBB]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I'm under the impression that Venezuelans weren't distributed in traditional wax packs with gum. Rather, they were issued with albums and glue. Not sure it is necessarily cultural, but simply how they were distributed.

Got a couple higher grade ones handy. No sign of glue.

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by BBB

Got a couple higher grade ones handy. No sign of glue.

They weren't glued into albums. The thought is that they may have been issued with albums so that they could be glued in. I'd say that the vast majority of mine don't have any glue damage. I find the glue issue more prevalant on the 64s and 66s than I do on the earlier issues. It wouldn't surprise me if they were issued in a different manner.

[DBesse27]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

They weren't glued into albums. The thought is that they may have been issued with albums so that they could be glued in. I'd say that the vast majority of mine don't have any glue damage. I find the glue issue more prevalant on the 64s and 66s than I do on the earlier issues. It wouldn't surprise me if they were issued in a different manner.

Was reviewing this thread and saw this post. I recently read an article that says the Venezuelan cards weren't issued with albums until 1964. So 1959, 60 and 62 should have less issues with glue damage.

[DBesse27]

Also I noticed a lot of my Venies haven't been shown here yet. Here are some more of my 64's.

[TheNightmanCometh]

Hey DB, that McCovey looks clean!!!

[DBesse27]

Originally Posted by TheNightmanCometh

Hey DB, that McCovey looks clean!!!

Thanks, that McCovey was love at first sight! I forgot to mention the 64 Lolich is a RC.

Here are the last 3 I have to show:

[DBesse27]

And here are my 68's I haven't shown yet:

[mrmopar]

Wow, there is some definite inconsistency in low grades with PSA. I love that the Scott is a 2, Bell is 2.5 and Williams is a 1.