1973 Topps Test Issue (aka 1953 Topps)

anjcollection

Almost done getting rid of all my 1950 Bowman Baseball PSA 6-8s. And I finally let go of my 67% complete 1950 Bowman Football PSA 8 'set' as well. Only thing left I have that's on the registry is this (I finally got some scans posted for those interested):

1973 Topps Test Issue

dude

Hey! That's a cool set! I never saw that one before. I like it! When you get some free time, put in the scans of the rest of the cards.

anjcollection

Will do. They're already scanned in. Just have to wait for PSA to post the rest. I should try to get some backs scanned in. I haven't come across the back of a 1953 Topps card yet, but these backs are pretty cool and very informative/detailed.

RedHeart54

anj-

Very interesting set. What do you know about its history? Was it test marketed or was it even released at all?

carkim

anjcollection,

What does a set of these cost raw? A friend of mine has been trying to sell me this set for $300.00 but I don't know much about it. Do you think that is a good price?

Carlos

anjcollection

I have some history about the set somewhere in my files at home. I'll post them as soon as I can. I'll also try to get a scan of the back for you guys that might be interested.

The prices on any of the cards from this set are very, very subjective. Basically, you should pay what you think they're worth to you for them and not worry about the resale value.

To give you some pricing history and info, the cards in my set were obtained for a total of $700-800. I bought them from the guy that won the set in a previous Superior auction (close was somewhere around $1100 back in 2000-2001 I believe). Steve Novella has a Robinson PSA 9 advertised at $795, but it's been sittin there for a long time. $300 sounds like a great deal- I'd be interested if any of the commons were in PSA 8 shape or better (also depends on the condition of the cards obviously. As you'll notice by checking the pop report, there aren't many of these around)

carkim

Thanks...

He also has a 1973 (1952) Topps Reprint set for $300.00 as well. Do you know anything about those?

Carlos

anjcollection

I had a set of those once too. Unfortunately, I sold them long ago and have tried to buy another one on ebay whenever I see it- however, the seller's usually want way too much (over $400).

If it's still sealed in the blue box (gold sticker on the front), $300 is an awesome price. If not, I'd just check the condition of the stars. You'd be amazed that even the reprints sell for quite a bit (esp. the Mantle!) Check the centering of the cards as well. I couldn't believe that a reprint set had a ton of cards off-centered!

Heck, if it's sealed, I'd be interested in that as well! Does your friend have the original box for the 1953 reprints? (I don't even know if one exists)

carkim

After seeing your post, I called and left a meesage with his wife to have him hold them for me. He is going to call me back tonight at about 8:00 est. I will get the scoop then. Thanks again for your help.

Carlos

anjcollection

Found out some more info:

Mar. 2002 Superior Auction, a PSA 8 (average) set of these went for $1208.
The description states: "A tremendous rarity! In 1973 Topps issued an 8 card set that "reprinted" 1953 Topps cards, and though the method of dispersal into the hobby is a bit of a mystery, one thing's for sure: they're rare!.."

Here's a scan of the back:

Paige back

carkim

anj,

My friend no longer has the 1953 reprint set. He does have the 1973 (1952) Reprint set. The set has been taken out of the box and put into plastic sheets. I will look at the set next week.

Carlos

Cubfan

It seems to me that someone had a fully graded 1953 reprint set on Ebay within the last couple of months that didnt get the minimum bid which was lower than what has been discussed. Maybe someone else remembers that. There might have been some OC's in that lot however.

Ive thought the set was interesting but have always thought that the Al Rosen looks more like Bob Lemon and the Carl Furillo looks more like Billy Cox.

anjcollection

The "Furillo" card is definitely not him. I'll ask the seller I got that one from - he told me once and I forgot who it's supposed to be.

The set that was on ebay the past few months finally got sold the last time around for $375. Most had OC qualifiers and was sold by Kit Young.

theBobs

Raw and Kit Young. Thats all you need to know about the condition.

carkim

The set I'm going to be looking at isn't from Kit Young.

Carlos

anjcollection

could someone out there provide a scan of a 1953 topps card? i'm curious what they look like compared to these...

theBobs

Go to the set registry for 53s. I am sure there are some images there. Or search ebay.

LJB17

Here is the Paige
1953 Paige auction

LJB17

And here is the Robinson with front and back scans.

Robinson Ebay

anjcollection

Scans of all 8 cards are up! Click the link at the top of this post.

jaxxr

There are 3 "errors ?" on this eight card set. Quite a high percentage, even for Topps.

Carl Furillo uses the reg. 53 Topps picture of Bill Antonello #272,
Clyde McCullough uses the reg 53 Topps picture of Vic Janowicz # 222,
Al Rosen uses a picture not found in the 53 Topps set. Kind of similar to Jim Hegan # 80 or Ted Wilks #101, but positively is not either.

brumbach

Stumbled upon this on eBay and thought it fit this thread.......

1973 Topps Jackie Robinson on eBay.

mohiba

Sweet collection Andy! I never knew there was a '53 reprint out in '73, much less seen them all. Was this done to drum up interest in the '53 set? Maybe testing the water for future reprint sets? You should be getting your Bo cards any day.