1982 Topps Blackless

[ALR-bishop]

What got Blacless notoriety is Lemke listed them a separate set in the SCD Standard Catalog back when it listed post 80 issues. As a result PSA began stabbing them.

They are not really variations, just print defects but the problem occurred on 3 entire sheets , A, B and C, so there are at least 396 in a "set". There are some variants among the 396 as well, even among full blackless versions.

Some blackless cards from the D sheet have shown up on eBay, but it is not clear if all cards from that sheet can be found blackless or that the defects occurred on multiple sheets or as many times as was the case with the A,B and C cards.

B and C sheet blackless cards seem scarcer than A cards. D sheet examples are apparently even more scarce. The A, B and C blackless cards all showed up in packs. I think A and Bs in Michigan and C in NY. Not sure if Ds could be found in packs or where

Agree with Adam such blackless defects show up in other years, but apparently not to the same recurring extent over such a large number of cards as in 1982. I also have some examples from 68 and 71 like those he posted.

[jimtb]

When you see these Trammell cards in person, it's clear to see that the black was just "running low" - it looks like your printer at home running low on ink. However, because I've been looking for a Trammell blackless for so long, that this is just the coolest thing to me.

[bnorth]

The 82's have a lot of errors. The blackless, blueless, and a ton of wrong backs. Has anyone seen a blackless wrong back?

[lowpopper]

Originally Posted by bnorth

The 82's have a lot of errors. The blackless, blueless, and a ton of wrong backs. Has anyone seen a blackless wrong back?

Not exactly what you requested but in the same ball park...

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by lowpopper

Not exactly what you requested but in the same ball park...

Those are awesome, thanks for sharing.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

What got Blacless notoriety is Lemke listed them a separate set in the SCD Standard Catalog back when it listed post 80 issues. As a result PSA began stabbing them.

They are not really variations, just print defects but the problem occurred on 3 entire sheets , A, B and C, so there are at least 396 in a "set". There are some variants among the 396 as well, even among full blackless versions.

Some blackless cards from the D sheet have shown up on eBay, but it is not clear if all cards from that sheet can be found blackless or that the defects occurred on multiple sheets or as many times as was the case with the A,B and C cards.

B and C sheet blackless cards seem scarcer than A cards. D sheet examples are apparently even more scarce. The A, B and C blackless cards all showed up in packs. I think A and Bs in Michigan and C in NY. Not sure if Ds could be found in packs or where

Agree with Adam such blackless defects show up in other years, but apparently not to the same recurring extent over such a large number of cards as in 1982. I also have some examples from 68 and 71 like those he posted.

All that is to me one of the biggest Topps mysteries. For most, it's enough to shrug and say "Well, Topps... " just because they did loads of odd things.

But as near as I can tell, the 364 card double sheets were printed as A and B / C and D/E and F so those pairs should be equally common.

Maybe they caught the D sheets but none of the others?
Maybe if it was the ink running out it was localized to one side of the press so very few D sheet cards didn't get missed?