1957 Topps Trivia Quiz

[tedzan]

What is unique about the Paul Smith card in this set ?





TED Z
.

[jerseygary]

Is it that the photo was taken in Havana, Cuba?

The "Casino" sign in the background is the giveaway. I featured it in the background of an illustration in my book.

[tedzan]

Hi Gary

That's the easy part of this quiz.

So, what is unique about the back drop of this card ?


TED Z

[KCRfan1]

It looks like there is a USAF logo below the right wrist. I can't make out the reading/print below, but it appears it says United States or Air Force.

[JollyElm]

If that's Gitmo back there, then perhaps the card's background is comprised of two different countries??

[hcv123]

Is the player photo superimposed on the background? If so is it the only card in the set where they did that?

[tedzan]

Hey guys,

Other than Gary's observation (in Post #2), the uniqueness of this Paul Smith card in this set remains a "mystery".

I thought this would be an easy quiz. Anyhow, check out the cards in your 1957 set. It will become obvious to you.





TED Z
.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Hey guys,

Other than Gary's observation (in Post #2), the uniqueness of this Paul Smith card in this set remains a "mystery".

I thought this would be an easy quiz. Anyhow, check out the cards in your 1957 set. It will become obvious to you.





TED Z
.

I am guessing you are talking about the players first and last name being the same color and the team and position being the same color.

[tedzan]

The players in the 1957 set were photographed in the three New York stadiums (Ebbets Field, Polo Grounds, Yankee Stadium). And, a few at Connie Mack Stadium.

Paul Smith's card was produced from a picture taken in El Gran Estadio del Cerro field when he played for the Havana Sugar Kings (International League).

I'm pretty sure that Smith's card is the only 1957 card without the backdrop of the above 4 stadiums. But, then I may be wrong.


TED Z
.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by tedzan

The players in the 1957 set were photographed in the three New York stadiums (Ebbets Field, Polo Grounds, Yankee Stadium). And, a few at Connie Mack Stadium.

Paul Smith's card was produced from a picture taken in El Gran Estadio del Cerro field when he played for the Havana Sugar Kings (International League).

I'm pretty sure that Smith's card is the only 1957 card without the backdrop of the above 4 stadiums. But, then I may be wrong.


TED Z
.

Ted-

I believe I can speak for most of us members by saying how impressed we all are with your extensive knowledge and how appreciative we are for you to share it.

Thank You Sir,
-Rasymond

[bobw]

More of the image used on the card

[Rich Klein]

At the beginning of the 1957 season, Paul Smith was returning to the majors after three years in the minors. He had spent 1953 with Pittsburgh and then went back for more seasoning.

Because of his position in the set as a tough series card I suspect Topps saw he would make the team out of spring training and just used the photo recently posted as their image,

Without knowing the Topps release dates, I suspect this series was produced before any chance to get an updated Smith photo was completed, thus a stock photo was used.

And while we don't know these dates, if you consider the final series, there are so many rookie cards and young players just getting their foot into the major league door, that such scenarios make sense.

Regards
Rich

[geosluggo]

Originally Posted by tedzan

The players in the 1957 set were photographed in the three New York stadiums (Ebbets Field, Polo Grounds, Yankee Stadium). And, a few at Connie Mack Stadium.

Paul Smith's card was produced from a picture taken in El Gran Estadio del Cerro field when he played for the Havana Sugar Kings (International League).

I'm pretty sure that Smith's card is the only 1957 card without the backdrop of the above 4 stadiums. But, then I may be wrong.


TED Z
.

I've noticed that as well about the New York parks and Connie Mack Stadium. The only other exceptions I can find are #337 Rene Valdes, who appears to be in Vero Beach or some other spring training site (is that a tree behind him?) and #344 Paul LaPalme, who's wearing a home White Sox uniform in what looks like Comiskey Park.

[Paul S]

Always wondered about the cards such as the Brooksie and Bunning RCs (with the full headshots) with the beige-like background. Maybe they hadn't officially made the team during the spring training photo sessions.