Hello All,
I have comments from all who have an interest in this matter plus some words of wisdom from from TCDb guru Vrooomed. So - when I started this post, I really wanted to have the Swagnificent cards noted as variations of the base - because I have a lot of Swagnificent cards! After writing and researching, I remain unconvinced that Swagnificent is a variation. I am of the opinion that they are an insert. I appear to be alone in this view. My main and only issue is the application of the word mark "Swagnificent" on the front and back of the cards which I think changes the nature of card. It is no longer simply a photo variation but has become something else by the addition of the words which do not appear on the base cards.
Here is what I have found:
https://junkwaxandobservations.blogspot.com/2015/07/what-is-error-card-or-variation-card.html
A variation card (where no error occurred) would have a similar definition:
"A sports card can have legitimate variations if the systematic design of the card varies due to human intervention in the process that changes the design, picture or wording."
Again, human intervention or error is central to creating variation cards. Even if the card has no errors, the human decision or confusion that leads to two designs creates the legitimate variation.
As should be pointed out, arbiters play a key role in determining errors and variations for collectors. For example, Beckett Price Guide recognition of an error or variation card gives it legitimacy for many collectors. It suddenly becomes part of the set as listed in Beckett. Some web sites also play influential roles. The Trading Card Database tries to log all the error and variation cards in a set as reported by its crowd-sourcing users. However, in either case, a collector must convince the editors or web site masters that a card is a legitimate error or variation card.
https://lastwordonsports.com/2015/06/30/sports-card-dictionary-glossary-and-acronym-guide/
Variation – variation (VAR) – A card that is different, usually subtly, from its more common counterpart in any set. Variations started out as error cards that were corrected by the manufacturers, while other variations might be as simple as a color change in the background of the card. Today, most variation cards are done intentionally. The most common variations will feature a candid image of a player in place of an action shot, a change of uniform such as throwback or retro uniform, or the base card might feature a player on offensive while the variation will feature the player on defense. Many variation cards are extremely rare, whether the variation was done accidentally or intentionally and are very valuable. Variations are almost never numbered but are some of the rarest forms of short prints and most variations are super short prints.
https://gogts.net/sports-card-collecting-101-glossary-of-sports-cards-terms-and-definitions/
Variation (VAR): A card that is, in someway, subtly different from the same cards in any set. These variations can include, but are not limited to characteristics such as: a different color background or lettering, a corrected error, a name misspelling or photo variation.
I have the opinions of many in the community in the thread, but no one has addressed my main concern which is the word mark "Swagnificent", According to the resources, it is we the collectors who decide what is and what is not a variation.
So my question to all of you is, what is the significance of this additional wordmark on the Swagnificent cards and does it matter? Are these cards still variations despite the wordmark?
