1956 topps white backs

[donniebaseball]

I think that Topps used two different printers/distributors to get the 1st and 2nd series out in order to expedite the process. One printer used a white back and the other used a gray back. As the set was released they phased out the 2nd distributor and then the backs became more uniform.

The issue that Topps was trying to avoid was a delay in their distribution leaving too much inventory around when football season rolls around in the fall. That is the classic story when Topps had too many extra cases of the 1952 set which eventually had to be disposed of in the Atlantic Ocean. I think we would have all pitched in by taking a case or two from Sy to help him make room in the factory, lol.

[cubman1941]

Originally Posted by donniebaseball

I think that Topps used two different printers/distributors to get the 1st and 2nd series out in order to expedite the process. One printer used a white back and the other used a gray back. As the set was released they phased out the 2nd distributor and then the backs became more uniform.

The issue that Topps was trying to avoid was a delay in their distribution leaving too much inventory around when football season rolls around in the fall. That is the classic story when Topps had too many extra cases of the 1952 set which eventually had to be disposed of in the Atlantic Ocean. I think we would have all pitched in by taking a case or two from Sy to help him make room in the factory, lol.

Thanks for the info. I just heard from George Vrechek whom I consider one of the best, that indeed there was not gray back for any of the 1956 dated cards. Your explanation explains the reason and I appreciate that. I can now cross that one off my list. Thanks again.
Jim

[cubman1941]

I just got a reply from PSA. Here is what they say. The first response was "Yes, cards 1-180 have both gray and white". So I asked them if they had, in fact, graded a gray back 11 dated 1955.

Hello Jim

I can confirm that we do have specs for a gray back 1956 Topps 11 Cubs Team with date, however, we have not actually graded or authenticated these items previously.

[hcv123]

I would trust PSA less about identification and existence questions then I do to objectively grade cards. What does them having "specs" mean? They haven't graded one?!

[cubman1941]

I agree. The reason I asked the question is to see if they had actually graded a 1956 11 dated 1955 gray back. Their "specs" are just what is in SCD. So, as pointed out by our great members, a gray back 1956 11 dated 1955 does not exist, unless someone has had one graded by some other company.

[cubman1941]

Originally Posted by cubman1941

Thanks for the info. I just heard from George Vrechek whom I consider one of the best, that indeed there was not gray back for any of the 1956 dated cards. Your explanation explains the reason and I appreciate that. I can now cross that one off my list. Thanks again.
Jim

I repeat this from an earlier post of mine (2005 I think). I am a Cub guy and have all the 1956 Cubs with white and gray backs. I had spent years looking for Cubs dated gray back and asked the question on Net54.

[cubman1941]

Originally Posted by donniebaseball

I think that Topps used two different printers/distributors to get the 1st and 2nd series out in order to expedite the process. One printer used a white back and the other used a gray back. As the set was released they phased out the 2nd distributor and then the backs became more uniform.

The issue that Topps was trying to avoid was a delay in their distribution leaving too much inventory around when football season rolls around in the fall. That is the classic story when Topps had too many extra cases of the 1952 set which eventually had to be disposed of in the Atlantic Ocean. I think we would have all pitched in by taking a case or two from Sy to help him make room in the factory, lol.

Now that you have helped solve one question, can you shed light on another I have. Did the same thing hold true for the 1959's? The reason I am asking is the SCD book say 199-289 can be white or gray but does not say anything about the others except for the text box. I am wondering if Topps did the same with other series for 1959 because, and I am only using my Cub cards,
I have 15-62 white back, 113-197 gray back 214-274 white and gray, 301-367 gray, 388-479 white, 447-502 gray and 512-up white. thanks.
Jim