Custom or Re-Produced Cards. Good or Bad?
bobbybakeriv
Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭
There are some really creative people on the internet making some really awesome looking "custom" cards these days. I personally love them aesthetically but am not so sure how to feel about them ethically. See below for some way cool examples. I actually have purchased several of these type of cards for fun plus I have also purchased dozens of Topps Archives, Fan Favorite, factory-produced replicated/redone cards (typically with auto - e.g., '78 Parker, '76 Carew, '76 Nettles, '76 Vida Blue, '78 Luzinski). I love seeing some of my favorite cards redone in such novel and action-packed ways. What are your thoughts on this? I know the purists are likely against it, but I am somehow drawn to the possibilities of the practice. It is very creative no matter. Ahh, the pros and cons of technology! 
Love that Foster! It adamantly declares 52 jacks! (BTW - Not knocking the authentic '78 Topps Foster - love that one too). For the record, three of these cards I own. Three I took off the web.
Comments
I'm not a big fan personally of the bootleg customs, but have acquired some over the years as part of larger purchases. Mostly the "Broder" type cards from the 80s and 90s. I suppose if you're a player collector, the variety of "cards that never were" or custom action shots vs the Topps issued posed shots could be appealing. Everyone collects how they want to collect. I would not currently go out of my way to purchase any custom bootlegs myself, though.
Topps Archives and Heritage officially licensed cards using the old templates with new photos are just "ok" or "acceptable" with me, if done right. I own a few of those. One thing that is absolutely a must for me, when they do that, though, is they have to reasonably match the era of the photo to the Topps template. When they mess that up, I won't tolerate it! Haha! I can't think of any specific cards at the moment, but have come across them occasionally. Two hypothetical examples would be a George Brett photo of him in a button down jersey being used on a 1980 template, or a Steve Garvey photo of him with a 1980 All-Star Game patch clearly showing being used on a 1974 template. Those 2 are just small uniform inconsistencies that would bug me. Something as egregious as having a photo of Nolan Ryan in a bloody Texas Rangers Jersey used on a 1971 template would likely make my head explode!
I certainly don't mind them as novelties. What I do mind though are unlicensed cards that are produced and pawned off as rookies. As a teen, there were Griffey rookie unlicensed cards and Gretzky rookie unlicensed cards that I purchased thinking they would go up in value someday. They put a bad taste in my mouth. I'm pretty sure I still own them.
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In general, I really dislike custom cards with very, very few exceptions.
Yaz Master Set
#1 Gino Cappelletti master set
#1 John Hannah master set
Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, Dwight Evans, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
Understood. I never thought of it that way.
I get it. In some ways, I totally agree with you but then I see a beautiful reproduced card and can't help myself. I think you are likely right though. Thanks for the input. For the record, I only acquire and keep such cards for fun. I do not consider them to be true player cards nor should any of them be officially recognized. (e.g. Set registry). ,
I agree. 100% novelty cards.
I guess they are alright for fun. I would hate seeing a novice get taken advantage of though, thinking they were buying a rare prototype or something
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I love the licensed stuff. Archives, Heritage, etc. As for custom cards go, I've seen some really nice looking ones but would only own one if it was autographed and slabbed by PSA. I actually have an on-card autograph of Duke Snider that's a custom made 1948 Leaf mock up. I bought it from a board member here, but can't remember who. It's sweet though, LOL.
Normally, I wouldn't want a custom card. However, I did find one that was good for me: A Topps 1952-style custom card that featured Curt Gowdy in front of a microphone with "WHDH Radio: Your dial's alive on 85". Obviously not a real card, no chance of it being passed off as genuine, but perfect for me where I am building a Red Sox HOF display and Curt Gowdy items that fit in my cases are in short supply. Maybe someday I will find something genuine to replace it with but for now it is perfect.
Let's see the "Duke"!
"You've gotta be a man to play this game...but you'd better have a lot of little boy in you, too"--Roy Campanella
love them when they are marketed for what they are.
hate them when attempted to be passed off as some obscure or scarce test issue.