1974 Topps Action Emblem Question

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

I just found an expired auction listing for an unopened pack that describes two glossy and one cloth sticker, plus the rub off game card as being the contents. I am aware that the glossy stickers should exist and have seen a Topps Vault mention of them but have never seen one. Can anyone verify the glossies? I am curious if the ratio is 2-1 why they do not turn up.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Anybody, Bueller?

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Posted By: Bob

David,

I've never busted a pack of these, so I wasn't aware of the contents. My entire set is the non-cloth variety (is that the glossy one you're referring to?).

Bob

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Hi Bob:

There are three types: Cardboard Proof, Cloth Sticker, Glossy Sticker. Topps has confirmed this in the Vault auctions but I cannot find a single glossy sticker anywhere. Strange given the ratio of glossy to cloth (it is noted on the wrapper, have to check if there is more than one wrapper).

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Posted By: Bob

Why is the cardboard considered a proof? Do the cardboard ones have peel-off backing? My set is the same material as the '67 Pirates/Red Sox stickers (i.e., thinnish sticker with peel-off backing).

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Bob: The Cardboard ones do not have backing and are not scored.

Here is a pic of a Cardboard back:



My cloth version is scored and has backing. You can tell it is cloth even in pictures. I suspect you have the glossy ones and I may have found a pic of those. It also shows the Rub Off Game cards that came with it.



Compare the scans to my Cloth version (Cloth on left, Cardboard on right:



And there is a Football proof version as well:




There also appear to be three wrappers for this set:

1) "Cloth Stickers" version

2) "Stickers" version

3) "2 Glossy 1 Cloth" version

Here are scans of the first two, I did not save the last and cannot find it on the web right now. I believe #2 may be a transition wrapper. It is also possible the set was issued in '73 and '74; there has always been disagreement over the date.

1)- a wrapper and pack:

:



2) Note the word "Cloth" is gone



3) Need a scan of this one!

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Posted By: Bob

Dave,

Thanks! That helps. The scored, glossy ones in the picture with the rub-off game pieces match mine. My pack matches example #1.

Bob

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Posted By: leon

This is neat stuff. Somehow I can't fathom branching out much more than I am....I don't know how you guys do it? Thanks for sharing... regards

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Leon, trust me I have forgotten far more about things in the real world than I know about this stuff! Besides, someone needs to keep track of all this information....

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Topps Vault gave this description in an auction awhile back:

"1974 Topps Action Emblem Cloth Stickers "Test Issue" Team Sticker! Mets. This lot comes right out of the legendary Topps Vault. Blank back sticker-stock card measures the standard 2 1/2" X 3 1/2" and overall, is in excellent condition. Topps released this test issue in several formats, cardboard, sticker and cloth stock. This auction features a sticker-stock example. Collectors, this is a great opportunity to obtain a terrific collectible for your Topps baseball card collection. All Topps Vault auction lots come with a certificate of authenticity. Please visit our other sports and pop culture eBay auctions for other exciting memorabilia from the Topps Vault."

Yet there are numerous examples of Cardboard Proof Sheets dated from January 1973. This issue gets stranger by the day. Topps says it's a '74 issue yet the proofs are from a year earlier. Did the cloth come out in '73, followed by a rewrap in '74 perhaps using sticker stock left over from something else? They must have had sticker stock up the the wazoo with the Wacky Packages going nuts.

Maybe the hybrid version was the transition and the glossies filled up the third and final issue. Or maybe they tested different varieties in different markets. It seems like it was tested both years though-the hybrid wrapper I spotted was a test issue with the sticker on white wax as I recall.