General Forum

I don't collect a lot of sets, but when I do, I want all ERR/COR/VAR versions of every card.

-Tom

I don't chase ERR / VAR cards. As long as I have a card for every number in the set, I consider the set complete. Some errors or variations are ridiculous to consider,e.g. a decimal point is missing.  There are some that are more significant such as the Donruss MVP card that has John Smoltz and Tom Glavine pictures for the same card.  Those I have in my individual player collection. But in the set, the correctedversion is in.

In a case like the 90 Donruss Glavine/Smoltz error, IIRC, the corrected version only appeared in the factory set. Since I opened a bazillion packs of that product, I have plenty of the error. So, when I decide to invest more in the plastic pages than the cards, I'll sheet my factory set (provided that's what I have) and dig out the error card and put it in my set. Along with any of the other errors I happen to have handy.

If the corrected version only appeared in the factory set, then a lot of people broke up the set because I do have singles of both (9 COR and 6 ERR).  Of course, the set was not worth much.  One of the "ugly"sets of the early 90s.

I've been a set builder for years. I don't really care about error cards, I'm more of a parallel type of person. If I find error cards that's cool too. To me, it's a fun challenge of completing the set. Plus, it's great trading on here and making new friends! It's also a great feeling helping others work on their sets.

Yeah, I believe I have both versions, and I only bought packs.

as for OP's question, I don't chase all errors and variations - as long as I have that card number I'm happy.  There are a few exceptions (Bill Ripken is one example).

Of course, I could be wrong on this one. Now that I think about it, Donruss did about 180 different printings of this set. There were some cards with 3 or 4 versions.

As a complete Topps set builder of all base/traded sets from 1951-present, I don't concern myself with variations/errors too much.  I tend to get the card that easiest to get, or typical for the set.  Here are some examples:

*In modern Topps sets, I collect the factory set rookie variations.  

*In the late '80 there were variations where some cards had a trademark, and some didn't.  Are you kidding me? Never noticed.

*In 1988, Al Leiter had an incorrect picture card.  I made sure to get the correct picture.  I don't care about the error.

*In 1977 or 1979, there was a variation that looked like someone had drawn a circle with a magic marker.  I made sure to get the one without the magic marker look

*In 1979, Bump Wills had an error card that labeled him as a Blue Jay.  He didn't play for the Jays, but the Rangers.  I got the Rangers card.

*In 1969, there were 2 cards that had variations of a player with two different teams that they played for.  I consider these Traded cards and collect these.

*In 1962, there were a whole bunch of cards that were considered green tinted.  I don't even pay attention to this variation

*In the late '50s/early '60s the card backs had either white stock or grey stock.  Although I prefer grey stock, I take what I can get

*In 1951, there were also 2 cards that had variations of a player with two different teams that they played for.  I also considered these Traded cards and collect both.

Basically, there are what I consider "stupid" errors/variations, and "legitimate" errors/variations.  I stay away from stupid errors, or very expensive versions of error.  I don't know (nor do I want to know) someone that's willing to pay $700 for a 1990 Topps Frank Thomas RC error with no name on the front.  That's silly.

I don't go out of my way to find error or variation cards, nor do I pay extra for them. I did happen to find one when I was looking through my son's cards, and I had some doubles on hand to trade him for it. He was more than happy to take a little stack of my doubles for one of his cards. Like most people, I consider a set complete when I finish the base set numbers. 

I collect pretty much only sets these days, with a few minor exceptions.  For me, anything with the same back is considered worth having.  So, if there is an error/variation on the front, intentional or otherwise, then I want to add it to my collection.

Which reminds me, if anybody has any of the All-Star variation cards from 2016 Topps Update or the photo variation from 2017 Topps, please let me know.  Let's see if we can work out a trade!