Questions regarding '52 through '80 Topps

[steve B]

I'd love seeing any info, figuring out how to tell if it's possible is oddly interesting to me. Probably a leftover from stamps where small differences like that can be really expensive.

[Zach Wheat]

With the '52 Topps mid-series cards, it appears there were at least 3 types of cardstock used and quite possibly a 4th type of cardstock. First would be the normal cream back cardstock, then in the 3rd series at least two types of gray backed cardstock (lighter gray, which is most common and a darker gray cardstock).

One issue I really have not been able to get enough info on is how the "white front" gray back cards occurred. It is likely either 1) careful storage out of UV light or 2) another type of white front card stock or possibly another cardstock which looked the same but didn't fade as much. I am leaning (55% / 45%) towards careful storage due to three collections of white front cards I located, ranging from a dozen cards to several hundred. All were original owners and stored away until recently. One collection had a dozen or so white front, dark gray back mid-series cards. The owner said all white front, gray backs were bought in 1952 in South Dakota. The other cards were a mix of 1st - 4th series cards with mainly white fronts. By the time I got to one collection, some cards from other collections were mixed together, but 90% of the cards were from the original owner. So I can't say for certain all white front cards were stored away together. Still not sure what to make of this or if this is a coincidence.

[steve B]

I'll have to get my 52s out and have a look. I know I don't have any of the difficult gray backs.