1985 Topps Mini & 1991 Desert Shield

[Rich Klein]

Were Gary Sawatzki and Jim Justus and they traveled to all the big shows with a boatload of oddball cards.

Really nice people and I bought a lot of cards from them over the years as did Dr. Jim for his type card assortment needed to picture for the Books/Almanacs we did at Beckett.

Both of them are no longer with us from what I've heard

Regards
Rich

[Zach Wheat]

It's been a fun set to collect. I fear I will never get all the back combinations. One of the dealers that purchased the sheets indicated the sheets had smearing on many of the sheets in the same spot - which is in part why they were thrown away - indicating an uneven population of certain cards. I always wondered if the Ryan card was one of those? Or is his card scarce due to perceived rarity? Or star status?

[Brent G.]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

It's been a fun set to collect. I fear I will never get all the back combinations. One of the dealers that purchased the sheets indicated the sheets had smearing on many of the sheets in the same spot - which is in part why they were thrown away - indicating an uneven population of certain cards. I always wondered if the Ryan card was one of those? Or is his card scarce due to perceived rarity? Or star status?

It sure is a fascinating set and slice of history. How far into completion are you, Zach?

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Brent G.

It sure is a fascinating set and slice of history. How far into completion are you, Zach?

I have about 140 '85 mini's with most cards being blank backs (white or tan) of some sort. I suspect the reason for such an odd distribution is that PSA doesn't grade blank backs and collectors are mainly buying graded, complete back cards. However, those cards are the least rare.