1985 Topps Baseball Forum

The following 1st DP Cards: All the cards have a visible 1 on the back, however, I have cards that there is NO 1 on back, can't see it at all. Take a  look  at yours!

So, OK.....Do we have a variation here?

They are in my variation collection, can't remember where I saw them listed as VAR.

		271		Tim Foli FRDP		New York Mets
			272		Jeff Burroughs FRDP		Washington Senators
			273		Bill Almon FRDP		San Diego Padres
			274		Floyd Bannister FRDP		Houston Astros
			275		Harold Baines FRDP		Chicago White Sox
			276		Bob Horner FRDP		Atlanta Braves
			277		Al Chambers FRDP		Seattle Mariners
			278		Darryl Strawberry FRDP		New York Mets
			279		Mike Moore FRDP		Seattle Mariners
			280		Shawon Dunston FRDP, RC		Chicago Cubs
			281		Tim Belcher FRDP, RC		Minnesota Twins
			282		Shawn Abner FRDP, RC

Never took the time to notice that. The #1 background of course is because the sub-set is of the guys where were the #1 Draft Pick for the year they are represented for. Since the #1 is part of the background green I am guessing any errors would not have the green background?

If it's simply missing a color, no variation (according to TCDB rules).

We'd have to see exactly what you're talking about to know for sure.

Horner and Belcher come the closest to what I'm talking about. It's not really missing a color, it's missing #1 which is the cardstock.

Pulled out my set. The #1 is created by using a light shade of green to make the #1 while a darker shade of green creates the background.

There is some slight difference in the density of these greens in my set, but nothing to make it look like there is no #1. If there is a case where the #1 is indecipherable from the background, it would simply be because of ink differences and potential ink bleed (over time, storage conditions, etc.)

I will go on record already as saying there are no "missing #1" variations.

Bob, is the inner rectangular border also missing?  The border containing the card number and copyright?  It seems to be the same color as the 1.  I would think that if a color was missing, it would be missing entirely.

Take a look at 1975-76 Topps NBA. The card number is printed in dark blue on a dark green square. On some of them, the numbers blend in so bad that I actually had to use the checklist to determine which card was which, because it's impossible to tell on the card itself. That seems like what might be going on here, that the two colors are too similar and are blending together. 

I'll grab a few of mine and scan to Mystery card. Still don't know how to put a scan in a post, nummy me!

While we are on 1985 Topps , What about the "black" phillies box? Not common to any other team or player, just phillies.

Mine all have the one though on two cards, you can barely see it but it's there.

Are you colorblind by chance, Bob?  I am, and can't usually see card numbers on 1986 Topps football.  Maybe it's something along those lines.  (Not trying to make a joke here; being serious for once)