Uncut Sheet

A Scarce Early Process Proof 1962 Topps Baseball Uncut Sheet

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It may be because I recently published The Uncut Sheet Archive, but I’ve been seeing a lot of awesome uncut sheets lately while perusing old catalogs lately, like this 1962 Topps uncut proof!

Ron Oser Entperises offered it in their April 2001 catalog and included the following description:

With 43 cards appearing on a 21″ x 28″ blank backed partial process proof sheet. Includes: Bunning, Snider, Kaline AS, Aparicio, Ford AS, Zimmer, etc. Only includes the actual photos used for the cards without the baseball card information. There is some moisture damage around the edge on the front with heavier damage on the reverse. Of the stars only the Bunning is affected. Minor creasing is also apparent.

Here’s an example of the final 1962 Topps Snider (top right corner of the sheet) and Ford All-Star cards for comparison (bottom row, third over).

There are quite a few production proof sheets in the archives of the major auction houses, but just a handful are actual photo-based. For example, REA sold this one, which included a handful of photos from the 1959 Topps set. It sold for $1,860 in the summer of 2019.

On the football card side of the house, Heritage sold this 1962 Topps Football Player Portraits Uncut Proof Sheet with 44 Players, including the Tarkenton Rookie, for $1,920 in December 2024.

Happy collecting!

Check out The Uncut Sheet Archive for more!

Hobby History from a Classic 1930s Propaganda Set: The 1933 Goudey R174 World War Gum Uncut Proof Sheet

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Mastro offered this incredible uncut sheet of 1/4 of the complete set of 1933 Goudey World War Gum cards in their November 2000 catalog; Heritage Auctions recently re-sold the sheet for $492 in October 2024.

Here’s Mastro’s complete item description:

Offered is an uncut sheet of “World War Gum’ another of the classic propaganda sets of the 1930’s. This one is a Goudey product, employing black-and-white photographs with succinct captions and orange borders to convey its military messages. It is no ordinary group of R174’s, however, this is a full sheet of 24 images (1/4 of a complete set) that were apparently used in the late proof stages of the series’ design. Twenty-four cards are presented here in a 4″ x 6″ layout, on a blank-backed card stock sheet. Other features of this specialprinting are exceptionally-vivid reddish-colored card edges and the presence of a striking depth to the subject photography. The sheet has a large (greater than one inch) selvage area upon which cutting proportions and manufacturer numbering appears. Small punch-holes at the north and south positions were, evidently, a means to secure the sheet for handiwork, or to verify alignment. Technically-figured grading places conditionof the 14″ x 16-3/4” sheet at Excellent, with three distinct edge faults that do not affect the card designs. If the item were framed and matted to present the center subjects, the result would be a crisp Near Mint to Mint appearance. This is a one-of-a-kind mid-production piece that reflects cartophilic history as well as visual splendor.

Heritage didn’t add much to their description, saying:

1933 R174 Goudey “World War Gum” Uncut Proof Sheet. This uncut proof sheet of 24 blank back cards from the 1933 R174 Goudey “World War Gum” series is a remarkable piece of historical memorabilia. Featuring black and white photos of scenes from World War I, the sheet offers a unique glimpse into the past, reflecting the cultural impact of the war and the era’s collectible cards. The presence of holes at the top and bottom, used by Goudey for holding the sheets in place, adds authenticity, making it a prized item ready for framing and display. Measures 14″ x 16 13/16.”

But Heritage did include a scan of the back.

Check out The Uncut Sheet Archive for more!

Unveiling a Rarity: A 1937 Goudey Thum Movies Uncut Sheet

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Here’s an incredible item I can’t remember seeing before: a 1937 Goudey Thum Movies Uncut Seet featuring 300 individual views.

Richard Wolffers Auctions, Inc. offered this sheet in their December 1994 catalog. They noted a few faults, including a few sealed tears with tape, so they offered it as a VG item. The estimated value was $5000-6000.

I can’t really make out any players on the sheet, and I’ve never seen the inside of any booklets, and while there is a 1938 Goudey Big League Baseball Movies set (R326) with the same dimensions, I’ll take the catalog’s word that these are the photos from the 1937 set (R342). Let me know if you can confirm!

Check out The Uncut Sheet Archive for more!

1973 Topps “1953 Reissue” Test Set: More Than Just a Reprint!

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In July 2000, REA sold two 1973 Topps “1953 Reissue” Test Sets in their internet/telephone auction held in partnership with eBay. The cards are awesome, but I dislike that PSA calls them reprints on the flips; they’re a little more unique than a “reprint!”

I’m not sure if there’s been some more modern research into the cards, but here’s what my Standard Catalog says about them:

Long before Topps reprinted virtually the entire 1953 set in its “Archives” program in 1991, selected cards from the ’53 set had been reprinted in a rare eight-card issue. Some sources say the cards were produced as table favors at a Topps banquet, while at least one contemporary hobby periodical said they were sold on a test-issue basis in Brooklyn. It was said only 300 of the sets were made. Unlike the original cards in 2-5/8” x 3-3/4” format, the test issue cards are modern standard 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”. Three of the players in the issue were misidentified. Card backs feature a career summary written as through in 1953; the backs are formatted differently than original 1953 Topps cards and are printed in black-and-white.

Sounds like something more unique than a re-print to me!

Here’s a complete PSA-graded set that REA sold for $1,140 in the spring of 2018, the description for which hypothesized that the cards came out of Sy Berger’s personal collection of Topps banquet keepsakes, “lending credence to the Topps banquet theory.”

REA also sold the following uncut panel of the cards for $1,080 in the fall of 2018.

I’ll have to do more research on this set; it’s fantastic but still a bit mysterious! Let me know if you have more details.

Check out The Uncut Sheet Archive for more!

1966/67 Topps Hockey Uncut Sheets – Regular Issue and USA Test Variants

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The 1966/67 Topps hockey set is one of the decade’s most popular issues: wood-grain borders and Bobby Orr! I ran across this uncut sheet featuring the complete set of 132 cards in Mastro’s April 2004 auction catalog.

Mastro described the 26” x 43” final production sheet, arranged in the standard 11×12 layout, as being in Near-Mint condition, with only minor edge wear.

Now, let’s look at a few uncut sheets from this set that have popped up for sale over the years.

In May 2016, Heritage Auctions sold a different example of the regular issue Topps uncut sheet, printed in Canada, for $7,170.

On the lower end of the condition spectrum, but perhaps more unique, is this sheet I found listed on eBay at a $6,000 asking price. It’s described as having a blank back (but without a picture).

Lastly, there’s this incredible 1966/67 Topps USA Test uncut sheet that has been available on eBay, with an asking price of $44,000, courtesy of Vegas-Cardhouse.

Check out The Uncut Sheet Archive for more!

Amazing Auction History – Eight Uncut 1933 Goudey Proof Sheets

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How about this for some amazing auction history: A group of eight uncut 1933 Goudey proof sheets from The Official 13th Annual National Sports Collectors Convention Auction, July 8-10, 1992.

Here’s the lot’s description, courtesy of Superior Galleries:

1933 Goudey Proof Sheets. This lot contains eight uncut proof sheets. When cards are printed in color, the printer checks each color process to make sure the presses are working properly and the colors are coming out as desired. This procedure has resulted in the color process such as the Goudey color process sheets. These sheets were not meant to be cut up and distributed-their purpose was to help the printer ensure that all was correct before full production be-gan. These are truly the first cards produced for the issue and are “proofs” in the true sense of the word, as they are meant to be ‘proofread.’

There are exactly two groups of complete Goudey proof processes known and this is one. Two different complete groups of eight process sheets, plus two process sheets of a third group of 24 Goudeys, which since had been cut up for individual sale. Notes from the original Goudey file indicate they were removed in 1943. The punch holes on the left side of each sheet were put there by the printer for the purpose of binding the sheets together with the aim to create a “book” of color proof processes. The same binding process, such as this or staples, is a common practice so the proof processor can keep the sheets neat and orderly for future reference, and separate from other printing jobs.

These sheets were originally taken from the Goudey Company in 1943 and were later discovered in the early 1970g. These are perhaps the most historic and unique uncut sheets ever to be offered for sale. The sheets have been framed and matted. Overall condition is Excellent to Mint.

Estimated value in 1992: $175,000-250,000.

Happy collecting!

Check out The Uncut Sheet Archive for more!

A 1948 Leaf Boxing Complete Set on an Uncut Sheet

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Leslie Hindman Auctioneers ran The Official 14th Annual National Sports Collectors Convention Auction on July 22 and 24, 1993. This 1948 Leaf boxing complete set on an uncut sheet was one of its standout items.

The sheet was lot 482 and was described as follows, “1948 Leaf Boxing Complete Set Uncut Sheet, 49 cards make up this rare sheet. Joe Louis, Jake LaMotta, Tunney, Conn, Corbett, Jack Johnson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Max Baer, Jack Dempsey, etc. Sheet is in excellent to mint condition. $5,000/7,000.”

I’m unsure what it sold for in 1993, but REA re-sold the 17 x 20-inch sheet in the fall of 2020 for $3,120, describing it as having a Vg appearance despite numerous imperfections.

Check out The Uncut Sheet Archive for more!