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Topps Airbrushing Protocols

PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 5,021 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

I can’t figure out what the overall philosophy was with airbrushing. Take these two cards from the 1973 set (one of my favorite designs 🙂). On the Tommie Agee card, they actually airbrushed all three Mets players in this photo into Astros uniforms. While on the Frank Robinson card, they just airbrushed the Dodgers name on the front of the uniform. It’s still obviously a Dodgers uniform and the catcher is obviously a Phillie. On cards in the ‘74 set (Jerry Morales/Glenn Beckert) they didn’t bother to airbrush at all.

Why the lack of consistency?

My 1972 Baseball and Wacky Pack Registry Sets

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    IronmanfanIronmanfan Posts: 5,568 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The "astros" player on the right was Rusty Staub who didn't even have a contract with Topps

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    bobbybakerivbobbybakeriv Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭

    @PaulMaul said:
    I can’t figure out what the overall philosophy was with airbrushing. Take these two cards from the 1973 set (one of my favorite designs 🙂). On the Tommie Agee card, they actually airbrushed all three Mets players in this photo into Astros uniforms. While on the Frank Robinson card, they just airbrushed the Dodgers name on the front of the uniform. It’s still obviously a Dodgers uniform and the catcher is obviously a Phillie. On cards in the ‘74 set (Jerry Morales/Glenn Beckert) they didn’t bother to airbrush at all.

    Why the lack of consistency?

    I have always felt that this approach was stupid and looks terrible. I wish they would just have kept the player's card with the team for whom he played for that season. The last team listed on the back should be the same as on the front IMHO.

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    mrmoparmrmopar Posts: 1,109 ✭✭✭✭

    That Robinson card is still a Dodger card as far as I am concerned and it would have been one of the greatest ever had they left the team name as Dodgers on the uniform and card itself (for me, at least).

    I collect Steve Garvey, Dodgers and signed cards. Collector since 1978.
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    softparadesoftparade Posts: 9,984 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 14, 2020 4:01PM

    That Robinson card is still a Dodger card as far as I am concerned and it would have been one of the greatest ever had they left the team name as Dodgers on the uniform and card itself (for me, at least).

    Yeah, whomever was making those calls back then was the wrong person or people for the job.

    COPPER is gutter !

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    PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 5,021 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 15, 2022 9:20AM

    How did they airbrush an A’s cap onto Bill, yet leave the “Chicago” on the front of his Jersey? 🤔

    My 1972 Baseball and Wacky Pack Registry Sets
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    IronmanfanIronmanfan Posts: 5,568 ✭✭✭✭✭

    the most iconic thing about that Agee airbrushed card was that the airbrushed player on the right is Rusty Staub who had a feud with Topps for a few years & wouldn't agree to be on a card.

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    BBBrkrrBBBrkrr Posts: 1,897 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I love the 73 set so much. Mostly because it’s so weird but still has great photos.

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    PaulMaulPaulMaul Posts: 5,021 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BBBrkrr said:
    I love the 73 set so much. Mostly because it’s so weird but still has great photos.

    Me too. Even though 74 is the first set I collected in real time, I have come to love 72 and 73 most.

    My 1972 Baseball and Wacky Pack Registry Sets
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    nam812nam812 Posts: 10,608 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BBBrkrr said:
    I love the 73 set so much.......

    so does @Nathaniel1960 :D

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    craig44craig44 Posts: 12,998 ✭✭✭✭✭

    78 topps had some dooseys as well. Greg Minon and Mike Paxton look like they were colored in with crayons.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

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    Nathaniel1960Nathaniel1960 Posts: 2,339 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @nam812 said:

    @BBBrkrr said:
    I love the 73 set so much.......

    so does @Nathaniel1960 :D

    Admittedly, I am building a 1973 OPC Set. You think the back chipping in the Topps version is bad. Ooof.

    Kiss me once, shame on you.
    Kiss me twice.....let's party.
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    GroceryRackPackGroceryRackPack Posts: 4,175 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No logo's...



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    VitoCo1972VitoCo1972 Posts: 6,137 ✭✭✭
    edited October 19, 2022 9:46AM

    Great thread. The Staub info was very interesting!

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