1990 Topps Frank Thomas NNOF revisited...introduction to my theory
BunchOBull
Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭
Ok, I know this topic has been mentioned dozens of times in the history of this forum, but I want to revisit it in the form of a project I've been working on for several months.
As I've stated before, it is my belief the NNOF error was the result of a strip of cardstock intersecting the printing dyes and several runs of the orange card sheet. Whether this was done intentionally or not, I do not know, but I lean toward unintentional because Frank was nowhere near the number one prospect at the time of the sheet's printing, and if this were an intentional error, I suspect a higher rated prospect would have been chosen to create this variation for.
If this theory is correct, there are potentially several other cards affected by black-less sections on their respective printings...
Namely, this defect could affect the Craig Biggio All-Star card, but potentially including the cards of Jim Acker, John Morris, and John Hart.
While no major print defect would be noticed on these cards, I suspect they, when taken from the sheets that produced the NNOF error, are missing ink on the black edging around some borders and, in a couple of cases, team names.
This is a recreation of what may have occurred...but the cardstock would have been stuck to the printing side...
While the monetary potential for these supposed variations, less the Biggio, is very slim, I have been trying to locate an example of each. I wanted to be able to unveil them together as one display, but I've yet to uncover one example.
So, this is a shout out to everyone...be on the lookout for potential black-less variations of these cards. I think the concept is novel and brings a little bit of enjoyment to a widely overproduced set.
As I've stated before, it is my belief the NNOF error was the result of a strip of cardstock intersecting the printing dyes and several runs of the orange card sheet. Whether this was done intentionally or not, I do not know, but I lean toward unintentional because Frank was nowhere near the number one prospect at the time of the sheet's printing, and if this were an intentional error, I suspect a higher rated prospect would have been chosen to create this variation for.
If this theory is correct, there are potentially several other cards affected by black-less sections on their respective printings...
Namely, this defect could affect the Craig Biggio All-Star card, but potentially including the cards of Jim Acker, John Morris, and John Hart.
While no major print defect would be noticed on these cards, I suspect they, when taken from the sheets that produced the NNOF error, are missing ink on the black edging around some borders and, in a couple of cases, team names.
This is a recreation of what may have occurred...but the cardstock would have been stuck to the printing side...
While the monetary potential for these supposed variations, less the Biggio, is very slim, I have been trying to locate an example of each. I wanted to be able to unveil them together as one display, but I've yet to uncover one example.
So, this is a shout out to everyone...be on the lookout for potential black-less variations of these cards. I think the concept is novel and brings a little bit of enjoyment to a widely overproduced set.
Collector of most things Frank Thomas. www.BigHurtHOF.com
2
Comments
Here's what BunchOBull had to say about his site..
"It's a player collector site meant to highlight the early cards and memorabilia featuring Frank Thomas, as well as random items of interest through the present day. I'm designing the site to follow a timeline of events. Highlighted pieces of memorabilia will include relevant information about the pieces and statistics and facts about Frank's career that parallel the release of each individual item.
Special projects I'm working on include the '90 Topps Blackless errors and a complete encyclopedia of game used bats used by Frank from his professional career."
-Summary of Events- Still compiling info
Page-
1- B.O.B. Theory
2- Hart Blackless, Morris Blackless
4- Russell A.S. Blackless
5- 1990 Topps Sheet pic
B.O.B. –New Theory
slantycouch Theory
Franco A.S. Blackless
McGriff A.S. Blackless,
Mattingly ”Blackless” later on page 9 decided it's not related to NNOF
slantycouch Offset Printing expliantion
7- jasoneggert- Theory
slantycouch- Theory (McGriff points to fluid)
<< <i>Certainly, I'll try to get a better picture for you in time. >>
Thank You.
No need for a different pic unless you want. The pics will all be B/W (only the FF will have color....hopefully) and it's photocopied. Trying to keep it cheap.
WTB: 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Longevity: Ryan Jensen #/25
edited to say...of the Biggio variety...I've been looking for it specifically.
<< <i>Do you have a scan of a NNOF, believe it or not I've never seen one. >>
Darin,
I do not currently own a NNOF. They're surprisingly easy to come by so I haven't stressed about it.
Here is a borrowed picture:
A fake:
<< <i>What about that super rare "name blacked out" version? >>
lol
Thanks for the heads up!
I was going to open a couple boxes I've had since 90, but they are cellos from Ohio.
1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold Ozzie Smith
2006 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor Chris Carpenter
<< <i>I busted a rack box of 1990 Topps two months ago. When I get back in town I'll dig through them for you. I also have an 800 count box that I opened from wax in 1990 (midwest wax though...). >>
Midwest wax sucks.
Chris
My small collection
Want List:
'61 Topps Roy Campanella in PSA 5-7
Cardinal T206 cards
Adam Wainwright GU Jersey
<< <i>I busted a rack box of 1990 Topps two months ago. When I get back in town I'll dig through them for you. I also have an 800 count box that I opened from wax in 1990 (midwest wax though...). >>
I appreciate it Paul.
Very interesting theory too...
As clean as the breaks are in the black, I agree that it was likely a rogue piece of paper or cardstock. It's fairly common in printing. The mystery certainly is how long/wide the piece was and where it stretched across the sheet. Would be awesome to find any of those surrounding cards with similar errors.
<< <i>Great pics and good writeup!
Very interesting theory too...
As clean as the breaks are in the black, I agree that it was likely a rogue piece of paper or cardstock. It's fairly common in printing. The mystery certainly is how long/wide the piece was and where it stretched across the sheet. Would be awesome to find any of those surrounding cards with similar errors. >>
This is very true, there is no telling how far up the sheet the strip blocked, and therefore there may be other significant errors to look out for. I can only confirm that those four cards were potentially affected, if the theory is correct. I'd love to own an uncut sheet with the NNOF one of these days; however, if one exists and were to surface, I'd not be able to contend with the market.
Can't miss prospect my rear...
<< <i>How fitting...a border in with Borders. >>
I thought it was pretty funny. Couldn't of happened to a better card.
"Are your borders OC?,or over trimmed?, well, with our new "Extra border per pack" you can now fix that problem !"
saucywombat@hotmail.com
141, 383, 404, 728
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Upper Left John Hart (Notice the color degradation)
saucywombat@hotmail.com
Interesting stuff
John Morris Upper Right (Area is more uniform but also color degradation)
saucywombat@hotmail.com
Bosox1976
1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold Ozzie Smith
2006 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor Chris Carpenter
<< <i>From my detective work the Thomas NNOF never came in packs, only from some uncut sheets Topps sold in bulk (as garbage), because they had noticed the problem in printing. They were later cut and sold. >>
90% of my 1990 Topps cards came from wax or rack packs in the Charleston, SC area. I have several thousand because my high school friends all gave me their collections back when, since they had given up cards. So the "blackless" examples above definetly didn't come from uncut sheets.
saucywombat@hotmail.com
Thank you so much for your work!
<< <i>From my detective work the Thomas NNOF never came in packs, only from some uncut sheets Topps sold in bulk (as garbage), because they had noticed the problem in printing. They were later cut and sold. >>
I can say with almost certainly that this is not the case. I've been following this card for 15 years, and it all leads to the same source.
Good Job !!!!
<< <i>So each of those are equally as rare as the Thomas, since they all would have come from the same flawed sheets. Wonder if there will be a demand for them? >>
I know if I owned a NNOF, I would want these cards surrounding it in a frame. Wouldn't pay NNOF prices though.
<< <i>
<< <i>So each of those are equally as rare as the Thomas, since they all would have come from the same flawed sheets. Wonder if there will be a demand for them? >>
I know if I owned a NNOF, I would want these cards surrounding it in a frame. Wouldn't pay NNOF prices though. >>
I wouldn't pay those prices either. But I can see paying a modest premium.
Affected areas:
Together as they would be on the sheet:
saucywombat@hotmail.com