What Do You Know About 1973 Topps Test Issue of '53 Topps Reprints?

rbdjr1

I wanted this card but (i.e., Johnny Mize ...outbid by snipes by $300, wow!).

I have seen few of these cards. Does anyone know more about this scarce 1973 Topps Test issue which are reprints of '53 Topps?

rbd

Do you think this card 1973 Topps Johnny Mize Test Issue PSA 9 is worth $408.00

pandrews

yep.. its worth $408 alright..

ive seen these cards before, i was actually thinking they were 1972, but i guess im wrong..

its an 8 card set, satchell and jackie robinson are the biggest names..

originalisbest

Very interesting! I hadn't heard of those - you CAN learn something every day...

where would I look for more basic info on them?

baseballfanatic

I believe a board member won it. For some strange reason, I can remember hearing that there were 400 sets of them. Most have been settled into collections for quite some time, and the same 10-20 keep popping up for auctions yearly.........

Griffins

It was worth $408. to me

And thanks to someone who was almost as big an idiot, it cost me as much as Robinson and Paige combined.

Griffins

According to the the Standard Catalog, only 300 sets were produced, and handed out at a Topps Banquet. Woody Gelman (Topps Art Director) probably sold some of them thru his son's company, Wholesale Cards of Franklin Square, NY, in the mid '70's. 3 of the 8 in the set picture the wrong player. 4 of the 8 are HOFers, Jackie Robinson (with Brooklyn Bridge behind him, just like his '53 Topps card), Satchel Paige, Johnny Mize, and Hal Newhouser. Also in the set are Carl Furillo (Bill Antonello pictured), Al Rosen (Jim Fridley pictured), Clyde McCullough (Vic Janowicz pictures, one of the first bonus babies), and Peanuts Lowrey. Supposedly they were test marketed in Brooklyn, where Topps tested a lot of sets like '68 3D and '71 Greatest Moments. I've never heard or seen a wrapper, let alone a pack or uncut sheet.
Anyone have any for sale?

bishop

I was trying to piece the set together like Griffins and it was slow going. I gave up and bought a set from an auction company. They are intersting but you have to wonder if the fact 3 of the 8 are screwed up represented some practical joke on Gelman's part

Griffins

Or if Gelman thru them together at the last minute to have something to hand out at the banquet, having some empty space on a press sheet.

sfmays24

I can offer a Jakie Robinson PSA 8 for sale or trade, please see photo and PM or email any offers/questions.

thank you,

Mike
sfmays24@hotmail.com

originalisbest

That's a cool card, Mike.

sfmays24

Thank you, originalisbest ...let me know if you want to make a trade?

Mike