Topps 1952 Campos..new variation

[Zach Wheat]

...and it's only $50,000. What a deal.

Z Wheat

[Paul S]

I'm no idiot. I wouldn't pay a dollar over $49,999

[ALR-bishop]

I think the price is just meant to draw attention to the card. PSA has now recognized it as a variant . It also apparently is listed as such in Beckett. If it makes it's way into the Registry master set list, graded or ungraded master set collectors are going to want/need one.

I picked up mine on ebay after an article on it appeared in SCD a long time back. I got it for $25 or so. It is more dramatic than my black star and I think scarcer. I collect lots of unlisted variant cards hoping one day they get hobby recognition

It will be interesting to see what they actually go for as they get more hobby recognition

What will be even more interesting to see is if PSA ever recognizes the Topps 1952 variations for the Mantle, Robinson and Thompson DP cards listed now in the last edition of the SCD Standard Catalog

[Exhibitman]

Meanwhile...How did Topps FUBAR this card so badly?

[flkersn]

I actually think there are two variations of the Campos frame break. I have one where there is a partial black star visible to the naked eye--in the same place the black line is in the "regular" partial black star. I have a second frame break card that has two red stars, although under magnification I could be talked into seeing the faintest of black lines.

Looking for confirming or negating evidence from others.

Bill

[ALR-bishop]

[flkersn]

Is this a frame break card, or a "regular" card?

[MW1]

Originally Posted by flkersn

I actually think there are two variations of the Campos frame break. I have one where there is a partial black star visible to the naked eye--in the same place the black line is in the "regular" partial black star. I have a second frame break card that has two red stars, although under magnification I could be talked into seeing the faintest of black lines.

Looking for confirming or negating evidence from others.

Bill

Bill,

I would compare the "black star" phenomenon on the 1952 Topps Frank Campos to the printing errors on the 1958 Topps Pancho Herrera. Just like the Herrera where there are various amounts of his name missing (I think I've seen five different varieties), there are also varying degrees to which the black star is printed on some 1952 Campos cards. It does not surprise me that a "partial top border" variant exists where there is some/slight evidence of the black printing since I have seen this same partial "black star" on a number of the "regular" Campos cards.

[ALR-bishop]

I tend to think of the black stars and the border irregularities as print defects like the 58 Herrer and 57 Bakep. Such defects can be found in virtually every Topps set, more so in these days of internet access to more scans of more cards. I tend to distinguish them from variations that were intentionally created by a manufacturer to correct or update a card ( such as the 59 Spahn DOBs or trade/option card variations).

I have corresponded with some who think the black star is a variation rather than a print defect based on their knowledge of the printing processes used. I guess I will never know for sure, but for whatever reason the hobby recognizes some print defects as variations. The Herrer and Bakep have long historical roots in the hobby that precede grading, but the 61 Fairly shows print defects can still be elevated to variation status today.