Anyone familiar with Topps 1961 dice game?

Skycap

I noticed in the population report that there is a set called the 1961 Topps dice game. There is a current graded population of 13 cards, 11 different. Does anyone here (a) have one of these cards and could post a scan, (b) know who is in the set and (c) know how they were distributed? Thanks!

Skycap

Dhjacks

I personally have no knowledge, but your question interested me....this was on a quick search. No scan.


1961 Topps Dice Game


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Perhaps taking a cue from the success of the APBA baseball game, Topps produced this black and white set in 1961. While the Topps name does not appear anywhere on the product, the quality of the cards and the typefaces used clearly mark these as a Topps product. At 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", they also have the same dimensions as regular issue 1961 cards. One player per position from each league is included and while not all are superstars, every player was an All Star at one time or another. These cards are extremely rare and the Mantle card is probably the holy grail of all Topps cards.. Of course, considering that it sells in the mid to high four figures, not too many people could afford one anyway. That is, provided more than one exists: in 1985 only one known set had been reported, along with a handful of singles. It is doubtful this set was ever legitimately released based on the low number of extant copies. In fact, when Topps issues are this scarce I have to think that Woody Gelman was involved in their introduction to the hobby.


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1 Earl Battey
2 Del Crandall
3 Jim Davenport
4 Don Drysdale
5 Dick Groat
6 Al Kaline
7 Tony Kubek
8 Mickey Mantle
9 Willie Mays
10 Bill Mazeroski
11 Stan Musial
12 Camilo Pascual
13 Bobby Richardson
14 Brooks Robinson
15 Frank Robinson
16 Norm Siebern
17 Leon Wagner
18 Bill White

curmudgeon

If you find any of these in uncreased, VG or better condition, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! sell them to me. Heck, if you find any quality scans of these ( I believe someone posted a Kaline sometime in the past month), PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!! post them.

Todd

Skycap

Todd,

I tried looking for the thread that had the scan of the Kaline card but couldn't find it. Perhaps someone remembers where it is here!

Dhjacks,

Thanks for the checklist and description!

Skycap

curmudgeon

Skycap


I just remembered I saved the scan to my sportscard folder-- credit to whover posted it (Mark Schoenen?):




Todd

mikeschmidt

For what it is worth, that 1961 Dice Game Kaline was auctioned off by Superior Sports perhaps a year or two ago.

Additionally, Mr. Mint actually auctioned off a Mantle Dice Game card I think at the beginning of last year. I think the MB was something like $10,000 on the card -- and, as is typically with him, it is hard to say if the card actually sold or not. The "picture" of it in the putrid yellow newspaper/auction listing of his was of no help whatsoever -- but it is one that exists...which seems to be a miracle in and of itself.

Of all the Topps sets out there, the Dice Game seems to be the hardest one in existence.

Good luck in finding one -- I think the general concensus is that they were not distributed -- a test issue that was only distributed in the aftermarket by Gelman or one of his cronies.

I'd love to hear more as to who owns the supposed "set" of these cards. I would guess that Olbermann has at least one example in his neat little run of cards.....

MS

motocrosser

This is from a Standard Catalog...
dice game

mx'er

murcerfan

they are out there, but few and far between.
Mike Moser had a Frank Robinson he was trying to sell me...that about 4 years ago though.
personally, I think they are unattractive and pretty plain for the kind of $$ it takes to own one.
I would guess that the '67 stand-ups (which are really sharp) and the '68 plastic plaque dealios are about as rare. however the SCP topps employee "find" brought a bunch of these stand-ups into the recent market.

if I had to find one I might call Jim at 707

edited to add- I seem to remember Rosen having either a Kubek or Richardson (or both) in the same auction as the Mantle.

koby

The Mantle had a pinhole and still the opening bid was $10K.

Mastro had a PSA 5 Wille Mays Dice Game about two years ago. Sold for a lot.

Skycap

Well, I posed a question and got a great response. Thanks everyone. This was sure interesting! This thread will form a nice reference for anyone who ever searches for info on the dice game.

Skycap

marty

I do not believe that they were ever issued. Most of the time they have two staple holes in them where they were stapled to a memo at Topps.

undertheradar

Here is a scan of 1 of mine, enjoy.
Lewis

undertheradar

OK,OK ...here is the other.

Skycap

Thanks for the scans, Lewis! We really appreciate it.

Please let me know if you're ever interested in selling these cards. I'll pay VERY generously for them! (You can send a private message by clicking on the yellow lock symbol on the right)

Thanks again!

Skycap

sflayank

Hi
i will pay absolutely the highest price for your 2 dice games
let me know
thanks
larry

koby

Those are some sweet cards, Lewis.