How did Topps choose (back in the day) what the design of each set would be?

Estil

Obviously today they can use computer graphics tools to make card designs, but how was it done back when using computers for that purpose was not practical (up to early 90s)? Also, were there any proposed designs for Topps cards (80s or before) that were not chosen for that year? I'm just curious as to how they come up with how to design their cards every year (and Fleer/Donruss too).

jimq112

I've read that Sy Berger had a great deal to do with the designs and also the little dittys on the backs of the cards.

Estil

Please tell me more. Who's this Sy Berger? Like for example, what made them decide to do the black borders of 1971? Or the bold colorful designs in 1975 and 1990? Or the wood grain borders of 1962 and 1987? And so on?

originalisbest

Sometimes a design by committee, I would guess - even if that committee was one (Sy.) But besides himself (he did help design the original '52 Topps card) there was Woody Gelman (who co-designed the '52s with him) and, I would imagine, not a few unsung artists and creators at Topps who tried their best to keep the designs fresh and interesting compared to last year's set - after all, they wanted repeat customers!

In general you might note that as number of cards in the set went up, they had to design them such that there would be less in-depth work on each one. Paintings, complex masking of figures, etc. An interesting question to pursue!

originalisbest

Estil, in answer to who Sy Berger was, basically the heart and soul of baseball cards from '52 through the '70s. Not sure when he retired?

nam812

Sy Berger Article

originalisbest

Nice article Nick!

Estil

And how did they determine who got what card numbers? You'd think they just pulled them out of a hat the way the cards are numbered. Though back then (and perhaps still today) they gave cards ending in xx0 to stars and x00 to superstars, and typically gave card #1 to a top player and/or the best record breaker depending on year.

Goot

Well this year's number 1 in the topps set is John Lackey so go figure.

Estil

Say, you guys know about those "proof" cards you occassionally see on Ebay? Well, did Topps make any proof cards or other prototypes of designs that did not make the "final cut" so to speak? Those would be quite interesting to see if they ever existed.

originalisbest

I dunno estil - but it is an interesting question.

jhpfunk

That was a great article. Thanks for sharing.

nam812

You're welcome.

Blackborder

Thanks, very neat article.

Estil

bump; you never know if anyone else here has more info on the subject. I'm still VERY interested in what other designs were proposed by Topps or other companies that did not make the set's final design.

stitzen

I am not sure about the design of the cards themselves, but I know they used to assign stars to the cards that ended in 5 and 0...bigger stars got the 100, 200, etc. designation....not sure if they still do that or when it stopped.

colebear

topps wikipedia

I love the part about dumping the rest of the 1952 topps uncut sheets into the East River

rube26105

very interesting article, nam812, love to been on the boat with the 52 topps lol,they would have been mine, a hostile ship takeover pirate with 52 topps booty,call out the coast gaurd,dumping all those cards, thats enuff to make ya sick, looking back, i guess hindsight is 50/50, too late now

Estil

But isn't the reason 50s/60s cards are worth what they are is the fact that most were destroyed/thrown away? Whereas it's much harder for 80s/90s stuff to increase in value because everyone knew not to throw them out.

jimq112

<< <i>But isn't the reason 50s/60s cards are worth what they are is the fact that most were destroyed/thrown away? Whereas it's much harder for 80s/90s stuff to increase in value because everyone knew not to throw them out. >>



Some is also the guys wanting to relive the good memories of those cards and their place in their childhood. People with some disposable income who can afford to spend some of it to get back what they had long ago.

I think it's also a big part of the 1/1 craze - people want low production cards because "rare" = collectible and future value. I don't think you can manufacture rare or scarce so I don't usually buy the 1/1 cards. The only newer stuff I collect is if I like it more than I like that much money.

Demand has to be > supply for values to increase.