Site Forum

As we all know confusion in identifying parallel and similar sets can lead to a lot of work in making corrections to the database (replacing images). Sometimes it's as simple as the card dimensions that differentiate two sets. Who hasn't been frustrated trying to find out the difference between "Hobby" and "Retail". Whatever the differentiating identifier(s) are, I think it would be helpful to expand the set Overview area. An example that comes to mind are the 1970s Wonder Bread and Town Talk football cards. "Wonder Bread" is printed on the top of the backs of the cards, whereas Town Talk cards are blank at the top. Here are just a couple of examples for illustration. The 1990 Topps football that has two complete variations (parallels). One with and one without a disclaimer on the backs of the cards. But, not knowing there is a parallel "Disclaimer" set listed, incorrect backs are being uploaded. The 1963 Post Cereal and Jell-O baseball sets. The Post set is standard size and has a longer red line dividing the stats. While the Jell-O set is slightly smaller and the red line is much shorter. These are shown below with suggestions on expanding the information in the Overview area. Add an alert "*parallel/similar set(s) produced*", "Dimensions:", "Identifiers:".  What do you think?

I think this would be a great idea.  I know i was stung with some of the Upper deck Goudey cards because i didnt realize they had something as simple as red, green, and blue back variations until i happened to get some with different color backs and then had to recheck everything and some image uploads i had made.  I have had similar problems with some of the A&G and GQ parallels.

agreed,and the overview area seems to be a good place for the additonal info

 

mark

 

I suggested, over a year ago, that card dimensions should be included on set info.   Would make it easier for people scanning as to what settings to use.      So I am all for it.

agreed- i think sometimes i rather get a root canal w/out novacaine than trying to identify some cards/set. anything to make it easier

I like this idea as well. I know about the sports I collect, but I was recently given some cards from other sports, and several of them had versions that were differentiated between retail and hobby, and I had to guess at which set that I had.

There is a field to enter size when entering a new set, but nothing in place for existing ones. And I know for a fact that I entered a set that had non-standard dimensions, and I entered that info, but it's nowhere to be seen when looking at the info about that set.

another option is to use the user comments section when we see something that may be confusing for other folks when we find the answer to our own research.

 

I added some comments today for 68 topps baseball, regarding some milton bradley ones that may be hiding in our sets or boxes..

 

thanks, mark

 

The best option of course is for the companies to not make 16850 variations of the same card.. But yeah having some identifiers would be a good thing. I didn't know, for example, Fleer came out with a Canadian set in 1990 till I looked at the back.

I would be in favor of highlighting the existence of parallels. The 1990 Topps football set bit me too. I once thought I was just 4 cards away from being done. Not so much. I put both versions on my wantlist because I'm sure many didn't know the difference. Thank you for the suggestion!