Maybe the 52 Topps Highs did get dumped?

[Republicaninmass]

Thanks Dave, lends creedence to leftovers at the end of the year. Are we 100% on them being in Canada?

I know with the 52 gray backs, some thought they were canadian, but that's pretty much been dispelled.

[steve B]

I've always had mixed thoughts about this.

"Old" Inventory was often just shoved to the back of a warehouse back then. In fact it's a practice that continued well into the 80's and 90's although it had minimized by the early 80's. It was especially true for anything the warehouse guy thought might be saleable in some way.
Topps was also mostly in the business of selling new products, so they may not have cared much to have a look at the warehouse even if they were asked. (Or they knew 52 highs brought a premium and "couldn't find any" )

So the "dumped off a barge" didn't make a lot of sense.

But the story stayed pretty consistent over time, and 52 Highs are pretty hard to find compared to the lower series.

Since they weren't printing them themselves, I think it's possible they got a bunch in right about the time they realized sales weren't going to be what they'd hoped.
It's possible they didn't have the space to shift them to the back corner.
It also might be that what got dumped was sheets or bulk packed cards from the printer. Why wrap a product that won't sell? And storing sheets or boxes full of bulk cards might have been a nuisance.

In that view, dumping them makes sense. Having A million plus of something out there is a bit risky. Especially since trash haulers are fairly well known for keeping any really good "finds" - A long and for some well regarded tradition.

53s were hauled away? Maybe by then they realized that if they couldn't move their million+ leftovers almost nobody else could either?

I think it's possible something survived underwater. They were wax wrapped, and pressure might have caused them to seal ...........Well, I can dream anyway. (Possible but very unlikely) Barges tend to use the same spots, so there would be a whole lot of "stuff" to dig through even knowing the exact spot.

Steve B

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by Cliff Bowman

I don't buy the theory that the 1952 Topps high numbers are scarce, in my opinion they are relatively plentiful and available, even in high grade. The set is immensely popular and there is a huge demand for it, but like I said before every single high number is available on eBay in multiple copies with many in high grade. You certainly can't say that about 1967 Topps Punch Outs, 1966 Pro's Pizza, or 1982 Topps Blackless.

I agree, when a 52s Hi # card's population is compared to obscure regional/test issues /t206 Wagner/etc they are indeed not scarce. However, when compared to other regular issue Topps sets (since they are indeed a "regular" issue) from the 50s, the 52 Hi #s are the scarcest (regular) series issued Topps series by far, graded or non-graded. The scarcity of this series is all relative as to what you compare it to.


FWIW, I believe the 52s HIs are swimming with the fish....if they are not swimming with the fish, than what happened to them if they existed at all?

[toppcat]

I want to check Card Collectors Co. catalogs. I'm pretty sure the late 50's ones had no highs then they start reappearing in the early 60's. Not 100% positive I have scans of all the issues from that time frame though so please feel free to post if scans you do.

I'm not 100% on the Canadian angle but do think mid-series 52 grays had some kind of alternate distribution method outside the norm of one cent and five cents packs that year.

I believe Topps had five locations in Brooklyn by 1960: 60 and 134 Broadway, 383 3rd Ave and the two buildings at Bush Terminal (Office on 36th, Factory on 37th). The first three likely were all warehouse space by then as was probably part of one of the Bush Terminal buildings. Lots of stuff could have been hidden and I think they did a big sweep of all inventory in 1965-66 before moving to Duryea, leading to some really awesome fun packs.

[ALR-bishop]

Do not have access to it to post now, but have posted previously a 1967 Card Collectors catalog offering the 52 high numbers for $1 each and $90 for the high series ( $35 for 1-310)

[jakeinge]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Do not have access to it to post now, but have posted previously a 1967 Card Collectors catalog offering the 52 high numbers for $1 each and $90 for the high series ( $35 for 1-310)

I'll take all of the 52 high numbers you have Mr. Card Collector!!

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by steve B

I've always had mixed thoughts about this.

"Old" Inventory was often just shoved to the back of a warehouse back then. In fact it's a practice that continued well into the 80's and 90's although it had minimized by the early 80's. It was especially true for anything the warehouse guy thought might be saleable in some way.
Topps was also mostly in the business of selling new products, so they may not have cared much to have a look at the warehouse even if they were asked. (Or they knew 52 highs brought a premium and "couldn't find any" )

So the "dumped off a barge" didn't make a lot of sense.

But the story stayed pretty consistent over time, and 52 Highs are pretty hard to find compared to the lower series.

Since they weren't printing them themselves, I think it's possible they got a bunch in right about the time they realized sales weren't going to be what they'd hoped.
It's possible they didn't have the space to shift them to the back corner.
It also might be that what got dumped was sheets or bulk packed cards from the printer. Why wrap a product that won't sell? And storing sheets or boxes full of bulk cards might have been a nuisance.

In that view, dumping them makes sense. Having A million plus of something out there is a bit risky. Especially since trash haulers are fairly well known for keeping any really good "finds" - A long and for some well regarded tradition.

53s were hauled away? Maybe by then they realized that if they couldn't move their million+ leftovers almost nobody else could either?

I think it's possible something survived underwater. They were wax wrapped, and pressure might have caused them to seal ...........Well, I can dream anyway. (Possible but very unlikely) Barges tend to use the same spots, so there would be a whole lot of "stuff" to dig through even knowing the exact spot.

Steve B

Steven,

I thought the ink used on '52 high number cards was water soluble. If so there wouldn't be much left of the images even if the cardboard did survive. Hypothetically, might lead to some interesting ghost images on the backs of cards.....


Z

[irv]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Steven,

I thought the ink used on '52 high number cards was water soluble. If so there wouldn't be much left of the images even if the cardboard did survive. Hypothetically, might lead to some interesting ghost images on the backs of cards.....


Z

That is the first time I have heard of that. Are you saying all the series before that were printed using different, non-soluble ink?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Volod

Sounds like a project that could be pitched to the History Channel...somebody get me John Chatterton's cell...

It would probably end up like Geraldo Rivera and Capones safe...

Hosted by TV personality Geraldo Rivera, the special centered on the opening of a secret vault in the Lexington Hotel once owned by noted crime lord Al Capone, which turned out to be empty except for debris.

[irv]

Originally Posted by Leon

It would probably end up like Geraldo Rivera and Capones safe...

Hosted by TV personality Geraldo Rivera, the special centered on the opening of a secret vault in the Lexington Hotel once owned by noted crime lord Al Capone, which turned out to be empty except for debris.

I remember the hype around that. Unbelievable!