1968 Topps Baseball Design

[ALR-bishop]

I was only kidding a little about the variation theme. Unlike the MBs, the 1982 Topps Blackless cards made their way into the hobby via packs.

But some check listed Topps issues did enter the market directly rather than packs. Most recently was the 2012 Topps Heritage Update, but there were numerous send away for a card or set of cards in the 80s. The only things I can think of pre 1980 were the 1973 Reprints of 1953 cards and possibly the 1971 Greatest Moments set. Some people say they came in packs but I am not aware of anyone coming up with a pack or wrapper so far ( there is one empty box I have seen at auction). Plus some variations may exist as a function of the appearance of cards only in factory sets.

As usual Carlton, a great tutorial on MBs specifically and the 68 set in general

I do agree on the 1967 Maris proof, but if you pursue "master" sets you have to have one

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[goheels]

Then to be consistent a master set of 68s should include all 77 MB baseball cards or none at all.

Awesome 67 Maris.

71 Topps finest one of the neatest sets ever.

Do you have any pics of the 1973 reprint set?

[savedfrommyspokes]

Carlton, here is an example of the JRobby from the 73 53 reprint set

[goheels]

Quoting from Bert Randolph Sugar's work, 2nd edition (1977):

"No. 107 issued with "course" (sic) or "fine" 'cloth' background on front.

No. 179 issued with or without sentence at end of biography: "Bill was used sparingly but still"

No. 258 issued with '1968 Rookie Stars' printed in orange or red.

No. 278 issued with copyright printed on left or right side.

No. 454 issued with two cropping forms of picture of Frank Robinson.

No. 518 issued with No.539 listed as American League or Major League Rookies.

No scarcities."

I think my wife might have tossed my first edition I can't find it. I know the second was heavily corrected between 1975 and 1977.

The managing editor of this edition? The brilliant Keith Olbermann.

This book was a quantum leap forward for the hobby.

Still, here is what they got right and didn't (IMHO):

Fluffed on the 400 White Team Letters McCormick.

Ditto for 49 YTL Brinkman and 66 YTL Cox.

Missed on #10 Lonborg/Lonberg on back.

Probably got it right on the Stoneman card #179. I have been looking for that one since the late 1970s and have never seen one. If anyone has a card without that last line I would love to see (or buy) it.

I am still not sold on the red/orange rookies after years of scrutiny.

All seven 1968 checklists have cropping changes. The 67 Kaat is subtle but it's there. The Kaat with a little more room between the cap and inset has a difference on the back. That card has the "T.C.G." end under the box for 109 Campaneris. The Kaat with the lesser room between the cap and inset has the "T.C.G." end just before that box.

All Topps checklists between 1961 and 1972 had two variations. Not so in 1973 because they did not print a "preview" checklist enticing kids to buy the next series.

[ALR-bishop]

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[ALR-bishop]

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[ALR-bishop]

The 1973 set may have been a joke at a Topps function. I say that because 3 of the 8 cards in the set incorrectly identify the player pictured:

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