Lets see your best centered 52 Topps cards.

[irv]

There is/was a member on here (sorry, name escapes me) that was going to go after/collect the most centered 52 Topps cards he could find and it got me thinking/wondering, how he is making out?
It also made me, (but just recently), think how many do I actually have?
Of the 405 that I have, this is my best, and as you can see, these are not "perfect". I certainly, while collecting/amassing them, could have been more choosy/careful about finding more centered copies, but in any case, this is the best of what I collected outside the 148 my father gave me. Are other sets of the 50's this hard to find centered or do the 52's win out in this dept? (A few more below)

[irv]

Some more.

[Zach Wheat]

Dale,

Nice cards Dale. Interesting post and good topic. I had collected most of the 1952 Topps set before realizing centering was the key issue with the set as some cards are almost always printed offset. I was puzzled by this. Those that read the other '52 Topps posts over the last few years will probably realize some of the reasons starting with uneven cutting, to possibly (speculated but not certain) some fronts printed at different times and locations than the backs.

I almost bought a '52 Topps with a perfectly centered front and a 90/10 off-center back as an example for my set. I will have to search through my cards and get back Dale on the most perfectly centered cards.

I am also curious to see what people find regarding the cards that are always off-centered!

[irv]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Dale,

Nice cards Dale. Interesting post and good topic. I had collected most of the 1952 Topps set before realizing centering was the key issue with the set as some cards are almost always printed offset. I was puzzled by this. Those that read the other '52 Topps posts over the last few years will probably realize some of the reasons starting with uneven cutting, to possibly (speculated but not certain) some fronts printed at different times and locations than the backs.

I almost bought a '52 Topps with a perfectly centered front and a 90/10 off-center back as an example for my set. I will have to search through my cards and get back Dale on the most perfectly centered cards.

I am also curious to see what people find regarding the cards that are always off-centered!

Interesting, Zach.
Thanks.

Those were the best of mine that I could find but some, as you can see, are a stretch. Many have tilts and whatnot too that to me just don't qualify.
I had saved a set I found on eBay stating it was the most centered 52 Topps set ever amassed but unfortunately I didn't save it very long (Maybe it is still available?) It was a healthy price/ask but I honestly thought it could have been priced higher based on how tough this set is?

[Republicaninmass]

Like these brothers?

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[irv]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Like these brothers?

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Can't recall ever seeing cards with those types of backs before, Ted.
OC/MC backs, of course, but nothing like those 2 copies

Thanks for sharing.

[Republicaninmass]

I've seen one other double printed back, hiller from the series, same collection, also signed. I don't know where it resides. Never seen any others.


I assume Jones was the last card on the sheet row, but why so much blank space? Same series as Strickland could mean they are also related. I don't recall seeing any 50/50 miscut reverse.


Also, both matches were not picked up at the same time. I've been looking for a long time never found any others

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Like these brothers?

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This is exactly what I am talking about.

It is interesting that the cards shown above are from the 3rd series/4th series, which - I believe - is after Topps made some production changes to figure out how to increase production. Sorry Dale, don’t mean to sidetrack your original post.

IMHO, Topps was experimenting as they produced the set – which is why we see red back/black back cards in the 1st series. Topps had more demand than anticipated and used additional lithographers to increase production shortly after issuing the 1st series. I believe that's why we see some of the anomalies like gray backs, glossy fronts (ultra rare) and cream backs. I had also read that they printed – at least initially – backs separately from the fronts, which is why we see some of the miscuts Ted has shown above.

Just speculation, of course, but the evidence seems to suggest something like the above scenario occurred with multiple printers

[irv]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

This is exactly what I am talking about.

It is interesting that the cards shown above are from the 3rd series/4th series, which - I believe - is after Topps made some production changes to figure out how to increase production. Sorry Dale, don’t mean to sidetrack your original post.

IMHO, Topps was experimenting as they produced the set – which is why we see red back/black back cards in the 1st series. Topps had more demand than anticipated and used additional lithographers to increase production shortly after issuing the 1st series. I believe that's why we see some of the anomalies like gray backs, glossy fronts (ultra rare) and cream backs. I had also read that they printed – at least initially – backs separately from the fronts, which is why we see some of the miscuts Ted has shown above.

Just speculation, of course, but the evidence seems to suggest something like the above scenario occurred with multiple printers

Don't ever worry about that, Zach. It's not like you posted a pic of a fish you just caught or something.
What you just posted is great info, imo, and whether it's a slight deflection or not, I think it is pertinent nonetheless to the overall discussion about 52 Topps cards.

[GasHouseGang]

Some graded, some not.

[Gorditadogg]

Dale, I like your Yogi. David, that is a nice Erskine.

Here are some that I have.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

Dale, I like your Yogi. David, that is a nice Erskine.

Here are some that I have.

Thanks, Gord.
Still can't believe I got that card for what I did. I hoped to win it reasonably priced but I thought, due the centering, that was wishful thinking. But thankfully for me I must have won it with not a lot of eyes on it?
Your cards sure are sweet as far as centering goes. IIRC, the Garagiola card is also rather tough card to find centered like yours.

That Erskine of David's is real nice. A pretty tough card to find centered like that for sure!

One thing I've noticed, and maybe I'm off here, but it seems to me Luke Easter's card is the only card in the set that has the thinnest side borders?
Pretty tough card to find centered at times and, imo, it is due to this fact.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Here are a few of my better centered highs:

[skelly423]

Hey Dale, I’m not sure if I’m the guy you’re thinking of or not, but I’ve posted here before about chasing centered 1952 Topps. I’m a long way from done, but I’m up to 130 or so. Here are a few random highlights

[skelly423]

Originally Posted by irv

One thing I've noticed, and maybe I'm off here, but it seems to me Luke Easter's card is the only card in the set that has the thinnest side borders?
Pretty tough card to find centered at times and, imo, it is due to this fact.

As a general rule of thumb, the third series has the narrowest borders and is tough to find centered. There are select cards in the first series that are tricky too, and a few scattered cards in other series that are tough on centering, but for me the third is the toughest.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by skelly423

As a general rule of thumb, the third series has the narrowest borders and is tough to find centered. There are select cards in the first series that are tricky too, and a few scattered cards in other series that are tough on centering, but for me the third is the toughest.

If that's 130-190, I agree. Most of those cards are very tough to find centered, I have very few.

P.S. That might be the nicest Pafko I've seen.

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[skelly423]

Thank you Al, the Pafko is a special card. And you’re right, 131-190 is the third series. It’s a challenge to put it charitably.

[irv]

Originally Posted by skelly423

As a general rule of thumb, the third series has the narrowest borders and is tough to find centered. There are select cards in the first series that are tricky too, and a few scattered cards in other series that are tough on centering, but for me the third is the toughest.

I believe you're the guy, Skelly, I was thinking of.

Glad to see you are off to a great start with those great looking centered cards. Certainly not easy to come by as you likely know all to well now.

And yes, as Gord, mentioned, that is one heck of a Pafko card!
Congrats on your pick ups so far.

Great looking centered cards too, Larry.
Thanks for sharing.

[bnorth]

My favorite card in the set. Sadly it is no longer mine. It is one of the very few cards I regret getting rid of.

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by bnorth

My favorite card in the set. Sadly it is no longer mine. It is one of the very few cards I regret getting rid of.

I wouldn't sweat it, Ben. It's a little thin on the bottom.

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[Gorditadogg]

Here are a few of my Series 3 cards. These have narrow borders, but others it seems do not.

[irv]

Saul Rogovin is another card that came to mind that has unusually thin borders.
A real tough card as well to find centered.

[Tom S.]

Originally Posted by skelly423

Hey Dale, I’m not sure if I’m the guy you’re thinking of or not, but I’ve posted here before about chasing centered 1952 Topps. I’m a long way from done, but I’m up to 130 or so. Here are a few random highlights

Sean, you were the one that I thought of when Dale initially brought it up. Congrats on getting as far as you have with your set!

I'm also working on building a centered 52 Topps set myself - here's a few of mine:

66_roe_front.jpg 183_dusak_front.jpg
140_antonelli_front.jpg 159_rogovin_front.jpg
192_ginsberg_front.jpg 251_carrasquel_front.jpg
289_holmes_front.jpg

[Lucas00]

Very slightly off being perfect. Good enough for me.

[GeoPoto]

Francisco J. "Frank" Campos Lopez. Cuban-born outfielder for the Washington Senators in 1951-1953. 41 hits in 3 MLB seasons. He debuted late in the 1951 season and impressed getting 11 hits in 26 plate appearances. In 1952, however, he got 117 plate appearances, but could only manage an OBP of .278.

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[Zach Wheat]

Nice cards all. Tom S is the Antonelli a gray back by any chance?

[MattyC]

Seeing some dead centered '52 Topps cards is a real treat. I can barely grasp how hard it would be to assemble a centered set. I once did 1975 Minis, and that was tough for centering-- '52T makes those look easy in comparison. Finding the #311 centered like this took me years; even a few of the 9s and one of the 10s has worse centering...

[Tom S.]

Matt, it's always nice to see your Mantle - thanks for sharing it!

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Nice cards all. Tom S is the Antonelli a gray back by any chance?

I don't believe it is; here's a scan of the back:

140_antonelli_reverse.jpg

[irv]

Great looking cards, Tom, Lucas, George and Matt.
Thanks for posting them up.

[Exhibitman]

Ted, those print freaks are fantastic! I have one:



But I digress...The subject was centered cards, so:

[Zach Wheat]

Thanks Tom, just darkened. It is hard to tell from scans only. Nice Mantle Adam...that is a nice looking 1.

[Exhibitman]

Thanks. It has some back damage, so the grade is correct, but the front looks better than many 2's I see.

[Republicaninmass]

The affectionately named "Ppp Mantle"! Sharp

[MattyC]

Adam, that is a gorgeous Mick, so hard to find.

And 'sup Ted!

[olecow]

This is my only 52 and yes, the centering isn’t great top to bottom, but this is a tough card to find centered. I’m happy with it.IMG_3554.jpg

[Swadewade51]

Far and away my best centered 52. I had an SGC 6 copy with better registration and corners but this ones centering made it an easy choice (the price also helped).1952_Topps_195_Orestes_Minoso__SGC-Grade-4pt5_Auth-6828988_Front.jpg

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[irv]

Originally Posted by olecow

This is my only 52 and yes, the centering isn’t great top to bottom, but this is a tough card to find centered. I’m happy with it.

Originally Posted by Swadewade51

Far and away my best centered 52. I had an SGC 6 copy with better registration and corners but this ones centering made it an easy choice (the price also helped).
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Great looking cards, guys.

Mathews is definitely a rather tough one to find centered as is the Minoso. Finding either copy perfectly centered definitely commands, and brings, a premium to both cards. I'm happy with my Minoso card, but, and maybe like others, I envision/wish it was centered just a bit more.

[skelly423]

Here's my Minnie, just because he came up earlier. I'm curious, has anyone here ever even seen a centered #80 Herm Wehmeier (I'm talking both left-right and top-bottom). I've never seen so much as a scan of a centered copy, so I'd love to know if it actually exists, or if it's just a fantasy.

[Republicaninmass]

Yes on wehmeier, it was a psa 8.5 and sold for OVER 100K

NOT TYPO

[skelly423]

Somehow that price doesn't surprise me on a card that is essentially a unicorn.
Just knowing there's one out there gives me hope. Any chance you still have a picture and/or link to the auction?

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Yes on wehmeier, it was a psa 8.5 and sold for OVER 100K

NOT TYPO

[Gorditadogg]

Originally Posted by skelly423

Here's my Minnie, just because he came up earlier. I'm curious, has anyone here ever even seen a centered #80 Herm Wehmeier (I'm talking both left-right and top-bottom). I've never seen so much as a scan of a centered copy, so I'd love to know if it actually exists, or if it's just a fantasy.

Nice one, Sean, I see you upgraded.

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[Exhibitman]

Thanks guys; I bought the Mantle partially because the centering was so nice.

My Minoso:

[Republicaninmass]

It's a-nicccce

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[skelly423]

Looks a bit OC top-bottom Easily the best Wehmeier I've seen. Gives me something to aspire to.

[bxb]

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1708091956

[Gorditadogg]

That's a pretty nice Feller. He is hard to find centered, it seems always tilted.

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[skelly423]

I enjoyed this post, so I thought I'd revive it with a few more cards from my collection. I know the Wehmeier isn't perfectly centered, but it's as good as I'm going to find for that particular card.

[irv]

Originally Posted by skelly423

I enjoyed this post, so I thought I'd revive it with a few more cards from my collection. I know the Wehmeier isn't perfectly centered, but it's as good as I'm going to find for that particular card.

That's a pretty nice copy for sure for a real tough card to find centered.
Congrats.
Not that House cards are all that difficult to find centered, but I was really surprised this Yellow Tiger copy didn't sell for a lot more.
It wasn't listed as a YT so maybe that's why, but, imo, someone got a great deal on it, especially considering the centering and overall shape of the card.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/315191278133?autorefresh=true

[skelly423]

I’m not sure how that card slipped through the cracks, but even if it is trimmed (I’m not saying that’s the case), someone got a great deal.

[irv]

Originally Posted by skelly423

I’m not sure how that card slipped through the cracks, but even if it is trimmed (I’m not saying that’s the case), someone got a great deal.

GM cards, imo, are pretty good with their descriptions/grades so if it were trimmed, I'm sure it would have been described as such. But, at the same time, I'm sure the odd one slips through here and there too?
I think where they missed out on getting more money/it going so cheap was the fact it wasn't listed as a Yellow Tiger House?

I had put an initial bid in when the card was first listed, but regret not bidding more seeing as where it ended. I just assumed any higher bid or my max bid would have been quickly snuffed out in the end so I didn't bother.