68T Unchecklisted Test set B&W "Distressed" Game cards Mays, Aaron, Rose, B Robinson
 

Hi Guys:

Here's what I expect to be a new discovery for you. It is for me.

A variation of the 1968 Topps Game cards. These are B&W and have been purposely "distressed" much like distressed furniture, kitchen cabinets, jeans and other things that have enjoyed popularity in some circles. I can only assume Topps creators/designers were really digging deep to come up with this idea!

This collection came from a longtime collector, these cards are definitely precision cut, not hand cut, and match up perfectly with each other as well as the issued version of 1968 game cards. Backing is some sort of faux grained leather type material.

This group consists of 18 different subjects with a few duplicates.

In comparing duplicates you can see the "creases" are not creases but rather "printed" on the card. See the Gene Alley card below and note the same major crease running from his helmet down through his left cheek to his neck. And another out of his right nostril and one above his right eyebrow to mention a few. The same holds true for all the other cards.

Here is the list of those found in alphabetical order:

Aaron
Alley
M. Alou
Cepeda
Fregosi
Howard
Killebrew
Lonborg
Mays
McCarver
Peters
B. Robinson
F. Robinson
Rose
Santo
Scott
Staub
Wynn

Does anyone have any others? There were 33 cards in the issued color set. I have to think the other 15 B&W distressed cards must be out there somewhere. If you have them please share them here.

These are familiar to me Fred. I will try to find the info I once saw posted.

Definitely seen them before

Really interesting Fred

new unknown Topps in house test
 

Hi Guys:

A new development in this mystery. I haven't had an issued 1968 game card in years. I bought one on ebay to compare to these "distressed" B&W cards.

SURPRISE!! Take a look at these two Wynn's side by side. Notice anything different beside B&W vs color? Notice the shoulders on the color released version. NO shoulders on the "distressed" cards.

The images are also printed a different size.

shoulders are just faded out