1990 Topps Baseball Forum

What's the story on this?  It is listed as a parallel for the 1990 Topps Base Set.  Were these issued or sold or what?

Thanks,

Patrick 

This listing should be deleted.  The blank front cards were a printing error, but are not to be listed as errors or variations according to the database admins.  I asked them about the blank front (and blank back) cards I had from this set, and the answer I got was that they were a unique printing error that made them fun to collect for collectors of such errors or that specific player, but that they don't get listed on this site (or at least they're not supposed to).

I've come to the same conclusion in my research. These were not intentional "proofs". Just some sheets that missed the front printing process.

Celticwolfco wrote: This listing should be deleted.  The blank front cards were a printing error, but are not to be listed as errors or variations according to the database admins.  I asked them about the blank front (and blank back) cards I had from this set, and the answer I got was that they were a unique printing error that made them fun to collect for collectors of such errors or that specific player, but that they don't get listed on this site (or at least they're not supposed to).

I've come across many of the blank front as well as blank back Topps cards from 1989, 1990, as well as 1993, 1996, 1997.  I've posted them to the site for the sake of collectors who like to know about the "oddball" cards pertaining to their favorite player.  I figure if it exists, no matter the reason, then list it but I completely understand if the community decides otherwise. 

There are blank fronts in 1990 Topps hockey too .... I purchased a Ranford on eBay a while back. I do believe they are unlisted as well.

I pulled blank backs out of 1985 Topps packs back in the day. These are simply put "Printing Errors" and should be treated as such. I'm surprised Admin allowed the sets to stay posted. Maybe they know something more about certain sets. But essentially, every set could have 2 parallels - blank fronts & blank backs. Add this to the list of the "non-foil" cards, the non-glossy cards, mis-cut cards, etc. They are printing flaws (defects, errors, whatever term you want to use).

This is something I contacted the admins about over a year ago, and I was specifically told that they are considered to be printing errors, but that they don't want them listed on the site.  That may have changed in the year since I contacted them about the cards, but that is what I was told by the admins.  I do think that they make for unique collectibles for player collections and such, but most Topps sets especially (I'm sure the other manufacturers have some as well, but Topps was the main offender) have blank front and back versions of almost all if not all cards from about the mid 80's through at least 92.

I agree that these should not be listed here. Simple print error and not at all uncommon in that era. I opened a pack of 1992 UD MLB cards back then that had nothing on the back of every card. I sent them back to UD and they sent me several packs of cards in return. They couldn't match my wantlist to complete the set, but I pulled 2 more cards I needed for the set from those packs. I later abandoned the attempt to complete the set (I was about 20 cards short then) and have traded away a bunch of cards from that set to help others with their PCs or attempts to complete the set.

Blank-backs and blank-fronts should not be listed in this DB. They are more common than most ERR, COR, and VAR cards from that era.

This brings up something I've wondered about... what's the feeling on the "Topps Vault" encased and sealed 1/1 blank backs?

Aren't those just the original photographs used for cards, not actual cards?

jlamberth wrote: This brings up something I've wondered about... what's the feeling on the "Topps Vault" encased and sealed 1/1 blank backs?