Anyone with experience with 1960 Topps Tattoos please chime in

frankhardy · March 11, 2011 8:50AM

I have a complete set of 1960 Topps Tattoos. My question has to do with the "tear" at the top of every one that I have.

I firmly believe that these are factory flaws and not "tears" when the package was opened. The reason I say this is because I have one that has this flaw, but the original paper that overlapped (the bottom that overlapped the top) was still stuck to the back part of the top thus COVERING UP the supposed "tear". To me, that makes it impossible for it to be a "tear", but rather a flaw with the paper before the wrapper was sealed.

Keep in mind that every Tattoo in my set has this flaw at the top. If this flaw were a tear from opening the package, then wouldn't the paper kind of go back together? These don't. It is almost like a "v" shaped opening. Here is a scan below of the particular Tattoo that made me think about this theory. I really and truly believe that EVERYONE in the hobby thinks that this flaw is a tear from opening up the wrapper. I, however, believe that it is a factory flaw.

You may say, "What is the big deal?" The big deal is that every Tattoos that PSA grades gets a low grade. If I could convince PSA that this is a factory flaw, could they not change there grading standards for this issue? If they did, I have some very, very high grade Tattoos in my possession.

Could someone give me an idea of the what the Pop Report says about these? I don't have access at this time.

Here is the scan. Look closely at the top edge. There is no way that this flaw is a rip. Please chime in with your thoughts.

Planemonkey · March 11, 2011 9:21AM

grade-pop
Auth-1
1Q -1
1 -6
1.5 -2
2 -43
3 -7
4 -2
6 -2

frankhardy · March 11, 2011 9:29AM

Interesting. That is what I thought. I have looked at these and looked at these, and I really think that this flaw happened when the machine cut the paper. I would bet that those PSA 6's did not have this flaw, but I would bet nearly everyone of the rest have this flaw. Some are less severe than others, so maybe a PSA 3 would have a smaller flaw.

Please chime in.

Thanks for the Pop Report post.

Planemonkey · March 11, 2011 9:46AM

frankhardy · March 11, 2011 9:48AM

Here is more evidence to my theory. This is the Don Newcombe tattoo. Take a look at the top. The sliver that is still attached has been turned 90 degrees. If you turn it down 90 degrees, it fits right into the "v". Now, take a look at the sliver itself very closely. Does that not look like a machine buggered it up? See the "accordion" look to it?

Does anybody agree (or care)?

Planemonkey · March 11, 2011 9:48AM

Kind of reminds me of the 1973 topps candy lids they all have a bend from being in the little candy cup, but PSA still grades them as if the came otherwise, I don't see you changing their minds on this issue though.

frankhardy · March 13, 2011 9:39PM

I notified Dave Hornish of my theory. Dave Hornish is a Topps expert. Not only in baseball cards, but he is an expert about the Topps company as a whole. He even has packages of gum dating back in the 1940's. He now agrees with my theory and spend 6 hours Saturday investigating this. He has blogged about it in his blog called "The Topps Archives". I follow his blog often. If you have not seen his blog, it is very interesting. He has posted about my theory in his latest blog. Check it out. I find it pretty interesting.

The Topps Archives