'85 Topps Mini's

[Zach Wheat]

Well I have yet to acquire an 85 mini....and I am sure you would be able to tell Al. It is somewhat disappointing to know you don't carry your database of baseball images and other related information with you in your worldly travels. .

[Zach Wheat]

Is it possible or even likely that some of these cards are proofs? Maybe my source was correct but they also printed a few sheets for reference on different card stock. This doesn't fit the story entirely but does explain some of the differences.

I was reading about some of the older Topps proofs and apparently they printed limited quantities on different card stock for reference. It just seemed odd that the 85 minis only had 1 sheet printed almost as if they were experimenting. And then when I read they printed some of the earlier proofs in one color, some blank back and some on different card stock it seemed to fit.

There are a lot of similarities to some of the stories regarding earlier proofs prior to switching to doing these digitally in the late 80s.

Just curious.

[Zach Wheat]

I was not content with the extent of the info received and have been in contact with other Canadian collectors about this set. I eventually got to one collector that reaffirmed there were indeed 90 original sheets printed but that there were other sheets as well.

He indicated there were additionally 10 blank back vanilla cards as well as 5 proof sheets in tan color. The remainder of the sheets...approximately 100 were thrown away as being not acceptable to Topps (who had originally commissioned OPC to produce). Most of the sheets were salvaged but had water damage and were cut up. He was not clear on how many red back sheets were originally printed.

He indicated he acquired most of the discarded stock in 1988 and was subsequently sued by Topps.

Does the tan card look like a proof? This info seems to be generally consistent, but doesn't explain the red backs.

[ALR-bishop]

This is more consistent with what I had heard from the several Canadian and one US seller I bought most of my cards from. I am still in contact with the US seller, who sent me info on them back in the early 90s. I will retrieve it when I get back in the states. I have never heard the origin of the red backs, but will ask what he knows about them too on return. I have maybe half of the set that way. I also have a couple of swoosh backs ( colors all mixed up and swirled) and can post an example of those on return as well.I

In Norway now. England, Scotland, Ireland and Iceland down, with Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Russia to go

[Zach Wheat]

Clarification on red backs....

He sent a follow up email saying the sheets were originally sold at a show in Mississagua, Canada in 1985 and he was able to acquire 60 sheets sometime after....probably in 1988. He indicated that there were 5 red back sheets in the mix. All cards came from the uncut sheets.

This seems to foot with what all of you have been suggesting. I am still not clear what the difference is between tan and vanilla. I will probably have to send him a scan of the cards above and have him explain.

Z Wheat

[Zach Wheat]

No more updates with additional info., but I did manage to acquire an '85 Rose Proof, and 2 '85 Mini white & gray back. All cards look genuine and each card has a different card stock. I guess that is not surprising since the mini's were printed in Canada.

The gray back of Rose looks like it is on significantly darker card stock. The card stock is definitely darker, but not as dark as the scan makes it appear.

I've been looking for red backs without luck.


Z Wheat

[ALR-bishop]

Good update Zach. Since Topps did the Minis as a full set in 1975, wonder what made them decide to scuttle the 85 set