1991 Topps info. for those just as crazy as I am

[Zach Wheat]

Steve,

Did you notice if the 1991 Topps cards had brighteners added to the red ink? I have spent a lot of time with the 1991 Topps DS set and most if not all seem to have brightener added to the red ink.
Since the DS set was printed in the early stages on the 1991 Topps print run, this should mean that the 1991 Topps set was printed mainly with the red brightener as well. I had always wondered what % of 1991 Topps production had the brightener added....wondering if you have an answer to that question.

Impressive that you have cataloged all of this. Thanks in advance.

Z

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Steve,

Did you notice if the 1991 Topps cards had brighteners added to the red ink? I have spent a lot of time with the 1991 Topps DS set and most if not all seem to have brightener added to the red ink.
Since the DS set was printed in the early stages on the 1991 Topps print run, this should mean that the 1991 Topps set was printed mainly with the red brightener as well. I had always wondered what % of 1991 Topps production had the brightener added....wondering if you have an answer to that question.

Impressive that you have cataloged all of this. Thanks in advance.

Z

I think the yellow tint that can be seen when I took a picture outside on the Nolan Ryan card is just straight brightener.

From memory I think they are close to 50/50 regular/glow backs if bought in packs. It was close to that in the 1000's I sorted through. I think all the sets are glow backs. I kinda remember this being discussed before.

[ALR-bishop]

This is really clever guys, talking in code so Peter keeps thinking we are crazy.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

This is really clever guys, talking in code so Peter keeps thinking we are crazy.

Actually the master plan is to gather millions of cards to have Peter sort through. We are just in the building anticipation mode currently, Al.

Z

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

This is really clever guys, talking in code so Peter keeps thinking we are crazy.

I may not get the specifics, but the signs of OCD are universal.

[JoeDfan]

Aaaaaaaaarghhhhhhh!!!!

I keep seeing this thread and SPECIFICALLY avoiding it because I keep telling myself that I am DONE with the 1991 Topps, and that my master set is now "good enough".

Dagnabit you people!!!!! Now I am going to go dig out my set in the back of the closet!!!

[ALR-bishop]

Sean-- without having the slightest idea what you have I guarantee you do not have a "master " set, if by master you mean every single possible front and back variant or combination thereof

[steve B]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I think the yellow tint that can be seen when I took a picture outside on the Nolan Ryan card is just straight brightener.

From memory I think they are close to 50/50 regular/glow backs if bought in packs. It was close to that in the 1000's I sorted through. I think all the sets are glow backs. I kinda remember this being discussed before.

About a 50/50 split was what I got as well. On both the dark logo backs and the light logo.

The very dark red cards were maybe a hundred out of 5-10,000 but could turn out to be common in a different batch.

Another source shows ones where the frame glows but the logo doesn't, something I'll have to check for.

I also had a few where the cardstock itself reacted with a light bluish white. But there were very few of them, and I couldn't rule out some transfer of fibers/brightener from white paper. I've seen them a couple other places, so maybe it's another version.

I found the glowing backs by accident. I had a nice new blacklight for stamps, and was basically just shining it on the entire room in the dark. Had a box of 91s open and it lit up pretty good, but only about half of it.

Steve B

[steve B]

And as one of those "unexplainable stuff Topps did" things, a yellow brightener layer has got to be right up there. A whole additional plate just to print a layer that's essentially invisible in practice.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by steve B

And as one of those "unexplainable stuff Topps did" things, a yellow brightener layer has got to be right up there. A whole additional plate just to print a layer that's essentially invisible in practice.

Steve, does the yellow brightener fluoresce under yellow light too? With glow backs, it is pretty easy to see....

Z

[steve B]

I'll have to check and see what some of mine look like.

The only evidence I've seen of it is the Ryan that Ben posted. I always figured it was different ink used by different printers, or just from a different supplier.

The yellow is light enough I could have missed it, but now I have an idea what to look for it should be findable if it's there.

Steve B