52 Topps question on Gray Face

[SMPEP]

Here's the link to George's article (#4 under what else at the end is the only info on the grey faces):
http://www.oldbaseball.com/refs/5253printing.html

honestly, I don't consider this much of a variation. I have a few that are arguably the grey faces but the differences are so subtle that I do not consider them true variations (and both Boone and Kretlow have much bigger variations). I think the Crandall face variation is more obvious and distinct ... and that one is hard to spot too.

I don't know exactly what was included in the master set as variations for the black backs, but the Boone, Kretlow and Wehmeier are undoubtedly three of them (in addition to page/sain). Probably the Parnell as well.

Cheers,
Patrick

[Cardboard Junkie]

That's kind of vague. I gotta see some examples before I believe it. Dave.

[KCRfan1]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

That's kind of vague. I gotta see some examples before I believe it. Dave.

I agree Dave. All of my Black Back cards have a " grayish " face which is a very common trait. In the case of the Easter cards shown, just looking at the front of the cards it is easy to tell which is the Black Back and the Red Back. As to the original posters thinking to grade the Black Back, I do not see the card as a 6 or 7. He should be happy with a 5. Don't waste the time or money to grade the card. Just enjoy it as it is.

[Cardboard Junkie]

There are tens of thousand of 52 Topps on ebay right now.....show me one example of this grey face variation among black backs.....I'm calling Bull$hit!

[Republicaninmass]

I'll 2nd! I've never heard of it, however the black/red backs do have different printing on the fronts. Glaviano, for example

[savedfrommyspokes]

In looking through my red and black backs, it is clear that the red backs have more vibrant colors on the front. I looked at one card, the #57 Lopat card, and the cap and bill of the cap on the RB is colored all one color, while the BB version has some "shading" evident on both the bill and cap itself. In looking through the BB examples listed on ebay, most have the identical shading as mine, while two of the PSA graded BB versions have different amounts of shading on the cap than the others. The first scan is my RB, 2nd is the BB with the "shading" on the cap.

Here are two BB copies with the different shading on the caps than the other BB #57 cards listed on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-Topps-E...item51b1eb176a


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-TOPPS-B...item2581945ae1


Could either of these two ebay listings be the "grey faced" variations?

[GoldenAge50s]

I'm w/ David P on this one! I have all the '52's I bought as a kid & of course been collecting since the late '40's & have never heard of 'Grey-face" '52 Topps.