I'm a newbie to TCDb. Joined this past spring. Only collect Sandberg cards and Puckett (#3 on site). Initially I ignored the Donruss Var's, but have recently jumped into getting my Variants pinned down. You have apparently enginereed the site to reflect the 4 Variants for 1989 Donruss (a, b, c, d---INC or INC. and one * or two * around DENOTES). However, there are some collectors who indicate that there are actually 6 Variants for 1989 Donruss. The additional variants (e & f) are on the card back and deals with the size of the gap between the Player's Stats in the white zone and the Player's Contract status, first line in the orange zone. All of the cards scanned into TCDb are examples of the NO GAP version. The player contract status is immediately below the statistics area, without extra spacing. However, there is also a GAP version that basically places an extra blank space (e.g. line) below the statistics area. There are apparently only 2 versions of the GAP.....INC with *.....and INC. with **. The GAP variants probably arise from different printing plate arrangements in the production process. Regarding Kirby Puckett, as an example, his 1989 Donruss card #182 has 6 variants....as well as his 1989 Donruss Bonus MVP's # BC-1. This subject is covered in an article by David L. Farquhar (The Silicon Underground). I do have pictures of cards reflecting these variants.
Also just became aware of another Variant in the 1992 Fleer Kirby Puckett #217....back side, below the player picture....1992 Fleer Corp byline, ends with either U.S.A. or U.S.A (latter version does not have a period behind the letter A). I do have a picture of this variant.
Obviously these little variants are not material, and likely has minimal affect on card values. However, is probably of interest to avid collectors pursuing all cards of star players.
I would be interested in ay further feedback this group might have on this topic. I do not feel comfortable triggering or initiating any changes on this topic at my experience level on the site, but welcome your thoughts. Thanks.
Ken (kwolff12)
