1991 Topps Contest
 

A question about the 1991 massive Topps set giveaway -

Did the prize sets in question run from the 1951 Red/Blue backs through 1990, or 1952 through 1991? It's clear a run of 40 complete sets were included (x3 - grand prize, individual sets and individually inserted cards), and although 1991 was the 40th anniversary of the 1951 sets, it was the 40th set produced by Topps counting from 1952.

I didn't think the Red/Blue backs were included, but then it doesn't make sense for them to have counted the 1991 set - how could they 'randomly insert' cards from the 1991 set into packs of 1991 cards?? - or even to offer a 1991 complete set as a prize in a contest of this magnitude.

Curious what people think/know.

It was complete sets from 1952-1990.

That's what I thought for a while too, but all advertisements clearly say "40 sets" - 1952-1990 would be 39.

Could have just been a mistake or typo.

Winner
 

The winner did receive a 40 year run of sets, including the 91 set.

I have 264 different numbered contest cards with my 91 set. As far as I know that's all of them.

Are you saying the contest cards were not thousands and thousands of randomized numbers, but there are only 264 different?? Uh, oh...I may need to expand my 1991 master set...

The instant win cards are numbered from 12345 to 12611 minus card numbers 12411, 12478, and 12545 which don't exist.

I looked for those 3 cards for a long time until Pat ended my search

I have a 1991 Topps rack pack with the 1976 Cubs team card (with the floating heads) visible on top

You and me both.
They can also be found in bold/pale logo variants.

If you would be willing to post an image, that would be fantastic - that's sort of a one-of-a-kind item.

Question - Is each different number associated with only a single letter code before and a single three-letter sequence after it?

Yes. 12345-12410 are A ABC 12412-12477 are B BCD 12479-12544 are C CDF and 12546-12611 are D DFG 12411, 12478 and 12545 are the card numbers that don't exist and they fall in between the changes from A-B-C-D lettering.

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