We have a bit of a mystery today folks, and an unprecedented one at that. Over the years, all sorts of strange and wonderful things have come into my mailboxes thanks to this blog. Some turn out to be nothing, while others offer something new and unknown. Today it's time to look at a weird offshoot of the 1968 Baseball Game, one I'm really scratching my head over and presumed to originate at Topps around then.
Blank-backed copies of eighteen subjects have turned up, with fronts that lack any color other than black. Here is Gene Alley, in his black-and-white glory:
I've been able to examine this card in person and the beveled corners match up one hundred percent to the issued cards. Another (very) interesting thing is that what looks like a series of creases across Alley's face and in a couple of other spots are, in, fact, images of creases; it was designed to look distressed without actually being distressed. There is some legitimate wear around the perimeter, not unexpected on an object with some age to it.
Here's the back:
I mentioned eighteen subjects. They are:
Aaron
Alley
M. Alou
Cepeda
Fregosi
Howard
Killebrew
Lonborg
Mays
McCarver
Peters
B. Robinson
F. Robinson
Rose
Santo
Scott
Staub
Wynn
That's seven Hall-of-Famers plus one more player that could get in some day (Rose) and another from the roster of honored broadcasting nominees (McCarver). Presently, it's not clear if the remaining fifteen subjects were contemplated, or even exist.
So, any thoughts out there? I'm really not sure what to make of all this, it's just so strange. I am sure these would appeal to just about any variety of player, team, oddball, or Hall-of-Fame collector and understand many or possibly all of these will be offered for sale soon (not by me). Maybe some of the new owners will be able to discern additional clues.
No comments:
Post a Comment