Brief 1990 Topps George Bush USA1 Article

[jacksoncoupage]

Hey,

I've been scanning a ton of stuff, ads, articles, etc from old card magazines and I found this old Topps article on the 1990 George Bush card for those who are interested:

http://junkwaxgems.wordpress.com/
Click on the image for the full article, the blog cuts it in half. Pretty cool stuff.

I'm going to try adding a new feature to the blog, called "Cards you've never seen" which, for the most part, will actually be cards that most people have never seen, but even though this card pops up on ebay sometimes, I think it still qualifies for this theme.

Enjoy!

 

[hofmichael]

Wouldn't make sense that at least 132 cards were printed?That's how many cards were on a standard Topps sheet then if I am not mistaken.Also is the rumor that some made it into packs b.s.?Everyone I have seen has come directly ffrom someone at Topps.
Mike

 

[jacksoncoupage]

Wouldn't make sense that at least 132 cards were printed?That's how many cards were on a standard Topps sheet then if I am not mistaken.Also is the rumor that some made it into packs b.s.?Everyone I have seen has come directly ffrom someone at Topps.
Mike

Yeah, very good point on the sheets. Unless Topps left some of the 132-card sheet area blank.

I remember hearing about these being in packs and I am pretty skeptical about that. The article about the card ran long after the cards went into production. Sure Topps could've tossed a handful in, by hand, but that seems a bit of a stretch. Still, with this era and the mass-production and gimmicks, anything is possible.

 

[011873]

About twenty years ago, I was TOTALLY into errors/variations.

I remember buying packs upon packs of 90/91 Pro Set Hockey basically just to find new errors.

I remember finding so many that I was written up in SCD. In fact, SCD even devoted a section each week to new errors and variations.

Man, I really do wish Topps would do a 1980's type product on basic cardboard with no inserts or GU or autos with packs 75 cents or less. Basically, just like it used to be but this time make the variations ON PURPOSE with different rarity levels to spice up the product.

Im thinking 1987 design with 1990 Donruss varation amounts.

 

[jacksoncoupage]

Man, I really do wish Topps would do a 1980's type product on basic cardboard with no inserts or GU or autos with packs 75 cents or less. Basically, just like it used to be but this time make the variations ON PURPOSE with different rarity levels to spice up the product.

I'm thinking along the same lines here:

A pre-1992 card stock, 792 (or more) card set divided into 3 series. No traded or 'Updates and Highlights,' just a series 3 or 'high series' at the end of the year.

No foil or heavy gloss. Just the old 4 color plates, cardboard stock and normal degree of gloss as used in the 1970's and 1980's.

A 1 per box parallel. Just like 1992 Topps Gold, but no factory sets of it available later in the year. Making specific cards, although unnumbered, very challenging to find.

No sticker or insert autographs, except, buy-back, on-card autos of past Topps issues. TTM and IP autos that Topps purchased back from the market and authenticated. If Topps buys back 5 1987 Mike Schmidt Autos, then they can stamp/number them accordingly. It would be great if they bought back some of the weird stuff like Mini Leaders and the K-Mart/Kay-Bee stuff that had been signed. It's especially important that Topps includes more of a "fan favorite's" type range of autographed subjects, especially when it comes to the 1980's guys. I'd want to see Fernando, Sabo, Viola, Greenwell, Dave Stewart, etc, not just the run-of-the-mill guys they keep cranking out. Plus, this would allow them a wider net to allow autos to fall 1 or 2 per box.

Maybe intentional variations like a missing TM or a missing position, but I'd more eager to see what kind of printing flaws and misprints come from using the old printing methods/card stock.

Topps could produce a great set, at a low price-point, that taps into the nostalgia that many of today's adults are feeling toward those eras of their cards.

 

[Vagrant]

It makes you wonder if Topps procured one of these for their 1,000,000 card giveaway which was supposed to include every card ever produced for the base sets.

 

[MartinFFcollector]

It makes you wonder if Topps procured one of these for their 1,000,000 card giveaway which was supposed to include every card ever produced for the base sets.

No, since this card was not part of the base set. It was a special printing, like the Shorin. (below). Not my cards.

 

[Leaf]

I have owned 2 of these in 24 years in the business... I would guess 500-1000 made.
Bg

 

[MartinFFcollector]

Copied from a post on the Topps board...


heres what it says in this book The Sports Card Explosion:

"Another rare find was made in Champaign, Ill., by a card shop owner Lee Hull, who found one of Topps' rare George Bush baseball cards- number USA 1- in a wax pack he purchased from a woman around Christmas. The wax box he obtained the pack from was in what is believed to be a salesman's sample. Topps, which had given President Bush 100 copies of the special card picturing him from his Yale University playing days, were certain every Bush card was given to the President, the March 2, 1990, SCD reported. Hull, who initially thought the card was probably a regular card from the new 1990 Topps set, displayed it in his shop. When he learned only 100 George Bush cards were printed, and that all were presented to the president, Hull called Topps and SCD."

 

[BunchOBull]

I wish Topps were more forthcoming with their production history. The 1990 Topps Blackless cards could have so much more concrete information if someone associated with the printing would just speak up; the same is true for the GHWB card.

 

[hofmichael]

I wish Topps were more forthcoming with their production history. The 1990 Topps Blackless cards could have so much more concrete information if someone associated with the printing would just speak up; the same is true for the GHWB card.

I agree but the truth is that the people who would know the answers to these things are in all likelyhood no longer with the company.
Mike

 

[Leaf]

I would bet anything they did not just print 100... Heck, the printer could easily run 2-3 extra sheets...

Hard to believe I've owned 2 of this card with only 100 made all given to bush...

Bg

 

[jacksoncoupage]

I wish Topps were more forthcoming with their production history. The 1990 Topps Blackless cards could have so much more concrete information if someone associated with the printing would just speak up; the same is true for the GHWB card.

This is the real issue.

Same thing for the 1990 Upper Deck Witt.

And the 1989 Fleer Ripken and Randy Johnson.

And the Pro Set Manley...etc...

 

[MartinFFcollector]

I wish Topps were more forthcoming with their production history. The 1990 Topps Blackless cards could have so much more concrete information if someone associated with the printing would just speak up; the same is true for the GHWB card.

This is the real issue.

Same thing for the 1990 Upper Deck Witt.

And the 1989 Fleer Ripken and Randy Johnson.

And the Pro Set Manley...etc...

Few years back, I spoke with a few who used to be in mgmt. for Fleer but unfortunately none of them were at Fleer in 89. Was also told they kept loose notes. Was able to get a email with confirmation about a certain FF version existing, but even their version list only had 1/3 of the versions. Had another lead whose Mom worked in the Fleer factory at the time. Really want(ed) to talk to her. Never heard back, even when I offered $ for her time. Reminds me, I need to get back to tracking down people.

 

[jennypie116]

I have a question..I have been trying to find out more about this George Bush card online and came across this thread. I have one. Does anyone know how to go about selling something like that? Thanks.

 

[MartinFFcollector]

I have a question..I have been trying to find out more about this George Bush card online and came across this thread. I have one. Does anyone know how to go about selling something like that? Thanks.

Hello, Welcome to FCB. How did you aquire it?

I would put it on ebay. It will bring you some good $.

 

[Vagrant]

I have a question..I have been trying to find out more about this George Bush card online and came across this thread. I have one. Does anyone know how to go about selling something like that? Thanks.

Whatever you do, don't sell it for a quick buck here. That card deserves all the attention it can get and rarely comes up for auction. If you don't have an ebay account, I would find a local dealer and ask him to consign the card for a SMALL fee and allow it to run on his ebay account. Sellers with low or no feedback usually do not get all they could on high value cards because the buyer fears getting cheated. You have a rare piece of card collecting history and it's important that you know its value!

 

[jennypie116]

Thank you so much. I do not have an ebay acct. I acquired the card from my grandmother. She worked for Topps in Brooklyn and then in the city for 40 years. I can not remember his name but it was one of the big bosses that gave her the card..it was either John or Lee can't remember. But now I have and really do not know much about it or what to do with it....I don't even know where to begin

 

[011873]

Welcome.

I think the first step is to post a scan of it here.
Youd have to send it to one of the members (anyone volunteer?) on here who know how to do it (sorry I dont).

I say that because it leads to my next suggestion.

I would get it authenticated/graded by either PSA or BGS. Those are the two leading companies who can authenticate, maybe even grade it as well to ensure its not a reprint or counterfeit.

While you may know for an absolute fact its real, since it is a big money card, any potential customers will need peace of mind to drop nice money on it, and have confidence in its authenticity. Anyway, most big money cards that arent brand spanking new are graded by one of these companies.

But by putting a scan up here, we can probably tell you if its worth grading or not. If its not because of the condition, you can just get it authenticated.

With all that being said, those are the first steps to get the most out of the cards value.

If you do choose to get it graded/authenticated (whichever), if you are in the NYC/Westchester area ( I assume you are because you use "the city" to talk about Manhatten, as I do) in mid August, there will be the largest Baseball Card show this year at the White Plains County Center. That show will have BGS (Beckett Brading Services) as well as PSA where you can submit the card.

Im not sure if theres a difference in fees between grading and authenticating with BGS, but if not, it will only cost you about $20. You will have to leave the card with them and they will take it back to Texas after the show. They will then mail it back to you encased in a thick holder which is tamper evident with either a grade (from 1-10, 1 being horrible shape and 10 being perfection) or no grade but "authentic" on the label.

As for PSA, maybe someone else here can fill this part in as I have never submitted a card to them for grading.

Good luck and let us know.

 

[rsmath]

A pre-1992 card stock, 792 (or more) card set divided into 3 series. No traded or 'Updates and Highlights,' just a series 3 or 'high series' at the end of the year.

No foil or heavy gloss. Just the old 4 color plates, cardboard stock and normal degree of gloss as used in the 1970's and 1980's.
.

A perfect platform to bring back Topps Total. 792 cards gives you the comprehensive player selection of Topps Total. The rest of the printing and design attributes give you the nostalgia card quality.