1969 Topps deckle edge

[Mesquite]

This was kind of a neat find. I had these 1969 black and white deckle edge cards in a box with some old football cards so I had completely ignored them. I never sorted them before, but it turns out I have nearly the complete set of 33 (missing one, the #6 card). Too bad they're in such mediocre condition (and one of the most valuable ones (Mays) has a paper tear).



I can't remember for sure...did these come in the same pack as the orange-back 1969 regular issue Topps cards, or were these sold separately? What's strange is that I only have 4 spares (duplicates). You'd think that in order to randomly assemble a nearly complete set you have to buy many times more than the number of cards in the set.

What's even funnier is that I can identify most of these guys just from their faces.

[Rich Klein]

Pack inserts, IIRC (and I could be wrong) 3rd series *and possibly 4th series*

[ALR-bishop]

I have a set of these. There are 2 variations in the set. Here are some proof sheets which feature only one player who made it into the set. There are 3 different sheets which differ by the color of the facsimile autos ( red, blue or black). Not long back I saw some of these proofs in an auction in deckle form. Square from cut up sheets show up on ebay from time to time

[savedfrommyspokes]

They were indeed pack inserts as Rich mentioned.... the Deckle cards were marketed on wax boxes as being "Real autographed photo in each pack".

I wonder when the term "Deckle" came in to play as they were marketed originally as "photos" ?

More importantly, based on this marketing on this box, I wonder how many collectors back in the summer of 69 thought they would be receiving an actual "real" autographed photo versus a mass produced photo/card with a facsimile autograph on it?

[Laxcat]

Originally Posted by savedfrommyspokes

They were indeed pack inserts as Rich mentioned.... the Deckle cards were marketed on wax boxes as being "Real autographed photo in each pack".

I wonder when the term "Deckle" came in to play as they were marketed originally as "photos" ?

More importantly, based on this marketing on this box, I wonder how many collectors back in the summer of 69 thought they would be receiving an actual "real" autographed photo versus a mass produced photo/card with a facsimile autograph on it?

I think deckle is the type of cut or the process for making that type of cut.

[nolemmings]

Wow, I never knew that Topps issued a 10 cent pack in 1969-- I'm glad I opened this thread. 1970 was the first year the pack price went up to a dime where I grew up. I assume those packs are wax? Anyone got a wrapper? All I can say on that topic is that the deckles were also marketed in boxes different than the one shown, since we had them by the droves and again, packs were a nickel (although the box design appears to be the same otherwise as I recall).

As for the OP, you are missing Luis Aparicio and the two variations as Al said--extra #11 Jim Wynn and extra #22 Joe Foy. Topps wanted every team represented with a deckle, and you will notice that the four expansion teams were going to be represented by the guys with airbrushed caps (actually Harrelson has an airbrushed Boston "B" too, although he's donning an obvious KC A's uniform). Hoyt Wilhelm was going to represent the Royals, as he was selected by them in the expansion draft; however, he was traded after the deckles were printed, so Topps later replaced him with former Red Sox now Royal Joe Foy. Similarly, Rusty Staub was going to be the Astros rep with Maury Wills as an Expo, but Staub was traded to Montreal, leaving Houston without a deckled player and thus leading to a card for Jimmy Wynn. As you can see from the way you have the cards displayed, they were numbered in city alphabetical order starting in the AL--Baltimore, Boston, etc. through the NL ending in SF. Oddly enough, despite having to replace just two cards, Topps still mis-numbered the replacements--Foy should have been #11 with the Royals and Wynn #22 with the Astros.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

I think deckle is the type of cut or the process for making that type of cut.

I was more wondering about the when versus the why.

[Laxcat]

They always reminded me of the leather premiums. Maybe a throwback?

[toppcat]

This ten cent/ten card packs must be the test cello's. As an aside, the first four series of nickel wax packs all show Brooklyn as Topps' address, the fifth onward show Duryea. The Decals started showing up in 5th series packs I think. The cello test packs all say Duryea.

[HRBAKER]