1954 Topps Canadian Gray Backs

[flkersn]

Does anyone know if ONLY the first 50 cards in this set were printed in Canada and on gray-back stock? In other words, if a wax pack says "printed in Canada" will it contain ONLY cards from the first 50 in the series? And will they be ONLY gray backs?

BTW, I am thinking of completing this set. I do not see many errors or variations listed for it. Does anyone know of any?

Bill

[ALR-bishop]

Bill--I do not know the answer to your pack question. Maybe Griffins ( Anthony) or Dave Hornish do. I have over time read there are conflicting views in the hobby as to whether cards 1-50 in 1954 and 131-180 in 1952 actually originated in Canada. I have no personal knowledge on that issue. I do know the 54 gray backs are just as tough as the 52s. I have only examples of both with my sets and have decided not to complete the gray back runs

I do have an unopened pack and the set in ungraded form. And while I collect variations and recurring print defects for all my sets, I have only a couple for 54. The most prominent being Mays which on many cards has a white "band" around his arm. It is easy to find. Not sure if it was a DP, a defect that was corrected, or just a defect that occurred on a bunch of sheets. Because it is quite common and not much recognized I doubt there is any premium on it

I also have card 121 Labine with a red line in the bottom border, 189 Ross in which the 2nd S in his name is defective, and 218 Marsh in which there are several errant yellow splashes on the front of the cards. All these are recurring but scarce. Can send you scans if you want

[flkersn]

Many thanks, Al. I am aware of the Ross, but would like to see the Labine and Marsh when you have the time.

Bill

[toppcat]

I'm not even sure they are Canadian issue but I do not know what is in a first series Canadian pack. This will likely remain an enduring mystery unless someone rips what is a rare pack.

[ALR-bishop]

Nothing much to write home about, but the Mays and Ross were mentioned in SCD articles

[ALR-bishop]

By the way, Bill. The pack I have with my set ( posted above) is a Canada issued pack. If one knew for a fact that it contained 4 grey back cards in decent condition would the contents of the cards inside be potentially more valuable than the unopened pack itself ?

For me personally, no. I always think the mystery of what might be inside is more valuable than the actual contents, whatever they may be.

[1954 topps]

Gray backs are rumored to be Canadian issued cards which were in a very limited release. Only cards 1-50 from the first series were released on gray stock.

I’m not sure if “printed in Canada” means they are automatically gray backs or even if they are first series. If some one ever cracks a pack and they are all first series gray backs all printed in Canada packs would likely carry a high premium. Unless you’re pulling 6’s or higher grade I think the value of the pack would outweigh the gray back cards if they happen to be all commons.

Also, gray backs are sometimes misunderstood. Toning on a white back isn’t the same as a gray back. You can easily tell the difference.

There are no major misprints or error cards that carry a premium price in the set.

[flkersn]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

By the way, Bill. The pack I have with my set ( posted above) is a Canada issued pack. If one knew for a fact that it contained 4 grey back cards in decent condition would the contents of the cards inside be potentially more valuable than the unopened pack itself ?

For me personally, no. I always think the mystery of what might be inside is more valuable than the actual contents, whatever they may be.

Great question, Al. And perhaps not as obvious as it seems.

It is clear (to me) that Topps front-loaded the 1954 set. While the three most expensive cards today are post-#50, in 1953/4 Aaron, Banks, and Kaline were...rookies.

Looking at it through the eyes of 1954 players, almost all the all-stars and future HOFers were in the first 50 cards. Mays is the obvious exception, and maybe Doby, Sievers, Hodges.... But clearly the first 50 contain a higher percentage of stars.

To me, that could mean that Topps had an intention to print and distribute just the first 50 directly in Canada and they wanted to include the big boys so as not to cheat their customers. (Again, Mays an obvious outlier.)

So, that being the case, then a "printed in Canada" pack could just contain one of the first 50 cards.

And, that being the case, you would have a lower chance of getting a "common" than usual.

And finally, to get to your question, I think that there is a decent chance that the individual cards could be more valuable than the pack (assuming the value of a pack to be around $2500--the opening bid in the LOTG auction, and the cards graded NM or better). And if all "printed in Canada" pack cards were on gray stock, what I propose would be true in SPADES.

Bill