2016 Baseball Cards

[Zvon]

Btw, in the Wacky Packages, they have minor league teams too and they're excellent.

[batmagadanleadoff]

The original '67 WS cards resembled a TV set (as did next year's WS cards). I wonder why Topps used B&W images for its '67 WS cards. I'm pretty sure that by '67, every prime time network TV show was in color. Maybe it was because more than half of the viewing public still didn't own color TV sets? Who knows? Maybe there was no reason at all. Maybe Topps saved a little bit of money on the production side by using B&W images instead of color? Maybe it was because the '66 WS itself aired in B&W?

[seawolf17]

The colored photos are short-printed parallels.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Where's the best place to buy Topps cards? We need some for the Lunchpail's bday.

[Edgy MD]

This place looks like it has potential.

[stevejrogers]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: The original '67 WS cards resembled a TV set (as did next year's WS cards). I wonder why Topps used B&W images for its '67 WS cards. I'm pretty sure that by '67, every prime time network TV show was in color. Maybe it was because more than half of the viewing public still didn't own color TV sets? Who knows? Maybe there was no reason at all. Maybe Topps saved a little bit of money on the production side by using B&W images instead of color? Maybe it was because the '66 WS itself aired in B&W?

Quick research, looks like Topps used B&W photos for postseason cards through 1971. 1972 is the first year featuring color photos for postseason coverage cards.

[seawolf17]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Where's the best place to buy Topps cards? We need some for the Lunchpail's bday.

Target.

[Zvon]

seawolf17 wrote: The colored photos are short-printed parallels.

This whole things getting a bit silly now, isn't it? I'd like these but fuck them for making them limited.

I got the Matzo Ball WackyPcard. lol. And the NY Meats one is also a 6 card puzzle (on backs). Gah! I love card back puzzles.
Don't know if there's a puzzle of the Matza Balls one. These blisters were $9.99 with 4 packs and a mini 2 card pack. Come on Topps--5 packs a box please, u conniving bastids. Still worth it and I'll grab another box or 2 of these and try to get the puzzle.

These days it's a tuff gig, the Wacky Packs. I imagine the politically correct atmosphere makes it a bit more difficult to make fun of stuff.
I'm not finding them as much funny as just cute. But there are exceptions. My favorite (non-Mets) so far.

[fimg=300]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ADN-1gb3ygE/Vx6auf4HBpI/AAAAAAAAm04/tW3JnbVrVp4vllvxevM_mwZiSscgUgBmgCCo/s640/BuccoEyePatch.png[/fimg]

"I pitch therefore eye-patch!" lmao.
And the disclaimer, classic.

[Zvon]

SteveJRogers wrote: Quick research, looks like Topps used B&W photos for postseason cards through 1971. 1972 is the first year featuring color photos for postseason coverage cards.

[fimg=300]http://caimages.collectors.com/psaimages/21950/22679941/1963%20Topps%20144%20World%20Series%20Game%203%20Obverse.jpg[/fimg]

[fimg=300]http://caimages.collectors.com/psaimages/21950/19799462/1965%20Topps%20134%20World%20Series%20Game%203%20Obverse.jpg[/fimg]

[fimg=300]http://www.sportscollectorsdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/Mazeroski.jpg?65f8cc[/fimg]

[Zvon]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: The original '67 WS cards resembled a TV set (as did next year's WS cards). I wonder why Topps used B&W images for its '67 WS cards. I'm pretty sure that by '67, every prime time network TV show was in color. Maybe it was because more than half of the viewing public still didn't own color TV sets? Who knows? Maybe there was no reason at all. Maybe Topps saved a little bit of money on the production side by using B&W images instead of color? Maybe it was because the '66 WS itself aired in B&W?

Probably all of the above.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Zvon wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: The original '67 WS cards resembled a TV set (as did next year's WS cards). I wonder why Topps used B&W images for its '67 WS cards. I'm pretty sure that by '67, every prime time network TV show was in color. Maybe it was because more than half of the viewing public still didn't own color TV sets? Who knows? Maybe there was no reason at all. Maybe Topps saved a little bit of money on the production side by using B&W images instead of color? Maybe it was because the '66 WS itself aired in B&W? Probably all of the above.

Probably. Maybe. Those "color" WS cards you posted one above, as you probably know, are not from color photogrpahs, but from b&w's that were hand color painted. Hand painted because there was no Photoshop, or PC's 50-60 years ago. I know that in the late 1940's, most color baseball cards were hand painted from b&w, usually team issued, photos. That's because in the late '40's, it was cheaper to hand paint the cards than to produce cards from color photographs. I wonder if that was still the case 15-20 years later.

[fimg=444]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ce/c2/9a/cec29ab59f95016c21d55d568b592736.jpg[/fimg]



[fimg=555]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/26040717884_34f30c1bc0_o.jpg[/fimg]

Edited April 25, 2016 by Guest

[batmagadanleadoff]

[fimg=555]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/26040717884_34f30c1bc0_o.jpg[/fimg]

You could see how Topps was determined to crop out the faces of those fans following Mazeroski to home plate while, obviously, keeping Maz himself in the shot. With today's tools, you could take out the fans in about a minute - cleanly - and then you'd have a shot that's framed or cropped so that the top border isn't right on the top of the head of Mazeroski. As the focal point of that shot, Maz's whole body should've been in that crop, including his right arm, extended in the air.

OE: The more I stare at the Maz b&w, the more I believe that Maz's right arm is the key element in the pic.

[Zvon]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: The original '67 WS cards resembled a TV set (as did next year's WS cards). I wonder why Topps used B&W images for its '67 WS cards. I'm pretty sure that by '67, every prime time network TV show was in color. Maybe it was because more than half of the viewing public still didn't own color TV sets? Who knows? Maybe there was no reason at all. Maybe Topps saved a little bit of money on the production side by using B&W images instead of color? Maybe it was because the '66 WS itself aired in B&W? Probably all of the above. Probably. Maybe. Those "color" WS cards you posted one above, as you probably know, are not from color photogrpahs, but from b&w's that were hand color painted. Hand painted because there was no Photoshop, or PC's 50-60 years ago. I know that in the late 1940's, most color baseball cards were hand painted from b&w, usually team issued, photos. That's because in the late '40's, it was cheaper to hand paint the cards than to produce cards from color photographs. I wonder if that was still the case 15-20 years later.

I was born in the wrong era. I would have manually colorized everything!
I think if Topps used in-house employees from what they termed an art department it would cost 'em next to nothing.

I believe the '63s are real color pics. I own two of those.

[Zvon]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: The original '67 WS cards resembled a TV set (as did next year's WS cards). I wonder why Topps used B&W images for its '67 WS cards. I'm pretty sure that by '67, every prime time network TV show was in color. Maybe it was because more than half of the viewing public still didn't own color TV sets? Who knows? Maybe there was no reason at all. Maybe Topps saved a little bit of money on the production side by using B&W images instead of color? Maybe it was because the '66 WS itself aired in B&W? Probably all of the above. Probably. Maybe. Those "color" WS cards you posted one above, as you probably know, are not from color photogrpahs, but from b&w's that were hand color painted. Hand painted because there was no Photoshop, or PC's 50-60 years ago. I know that in the late 1940's, most color baseball cards were hand painted from b&w, usually team issued, photos. That's because in the late '40's, it was cheaper to hand paint the cards than to produce cards from color photographs. I wonder if that was still the case 15-20 years later.

I was born in the wrong era. I would have manually colorized everything!
I think if Topps used in-house employees from what they termed an art department it would cost 'em next to nothing.

I believe the '63s are real color pics. I own two of those.

[Zvon]

[fimg=555]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/26040717884_34f30c1bc0_o.jpg[/fimg] You could see how Topps was determined to crop out the faces of those fans following Mazeroski to home plate while, obviously, keeping Maz himself in the shot. With today's tools, you could take out the fans in about a minute - cleanly - and then you'd have a shot that's framed or cropped so that the top border isn't right on the top of the head of Mazeroski. As the focal point of that shot, Maz's whole body should've been in that crop, including his right arm, extended in the air. OE: The more I stare at the Maz b&w, the more I believe that Maz's right arm is the key element in the pic.

They could have done that in those days too. It would have taken a few more steps in the process. You should make a version of that, how it should be. Cause, yes, it's a travesty that Maz was so cropped. What a wonderful photo ruined. Shame on Topps.

[batmagadanleadoff]

[fimg=555]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/26040717884_34f30c1bc0_o.jpg[/fimg] You could see how Topps was determined to crop out the faces of those fans following Mazeroski to home plate while, obviously, keeping Maz himself in the shot. With today's tools, you could take out the fans in about a minute - cleanly - and then you'd have a shot that's framed or cropped so that the top border isn't right on the top of the head of Mazeroski. As the focal point of that shot, Maz's whole body should've been in that crop, including his right arm, extended in the air. OE: The more I stare at the Maz b&w, the more I believe that Maz's right arm is the key element in the pic. They could have done that in those days too. It would have taken a few more steps in the process. You should make a version of that, how it should be. Cause, yes, it's a travesty that Maz was so cropped. What a wonderful photo ruined. Shame on Topps.

It's funny you write that because as I was re-reading my post, after it was sent, I thought the same thing. The artists could have hand painted grass and dirt over where the fans were -- if they wanted to invest the time.

As for new versions of that card, depends what you mean by a new version. If you wanted to reproduce the exact feel of those '61 cards, you'd be the person for that job. You can colorize to make the b&w photo look as if was photographed and developed using the same technology and equipment available 55 years ago. I can make a color card from that photo, but it'll have another vibe.

[Zvon]

I didn't even mention the '71Topps.

[fimg=300:3mt7xe72]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-15HtF1tFfY8/UrZsDBegeOI/AAAAAAAAKYY/sAtF7gHjf68Mk0iVEEbeMtckJLnN6KlCACCo/s640/%2524_fes3.JPG[/fimg:3mt7xe72]


The fact that 71 was in color and our Mets WS cards in '70 were not was a very traumatic experience for me.
It's why I started that blog.


If Maz was a Met I'd do it in a second. If not he goes to the back of the line. I am currently colorizing a Mantle pic with Koufax in the background from the 1964 WS. I'm not doing it for a card, it's just a classic photo.
I probably will make a WS card from that someday.

[batmagadanleadoff]

[fimg=555]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/26040717884_34f30c1bc0_o.jpg[/fimg] You could see how Topps was determined to crop out the faces of those fans following Mazeroski to home plate while, obviously, keeping Maz himself in the shot. With today's tools, you could take out the fans in about a minute - cleanly - and then you'd have a shot that's framed or cropped so that the top border isn't right on the top of the head of Mazeroski. As the focal point of that shot, Maz's whole body should've been in that crop, including his right arm, extended in the air. OE: The more I stare at the Maz b&w, the more I believe that Maz's right arm is the key element in the pic. They could have done that in those days too. It would have taken a few more steps in the process. You should make a version of that, how it should be. Cause, yes, it's a travesty that Maz was so cropped. What a wonderful photo ruined. Shame on Topps. It's funny you write that because as I was re-reading my post, after it was sent, I thought the same thing. The artists could have hand painted grass and dirt over where the fans were -- if they wanted to invest the time. As for new versions of that card, depends what you mean by a new version. If you wanted to reproduce the exact feel of those '61 cards, you'd be the person for that job. You can colorize to make the b&w photo look as if was photographed and developed using the same technology and equipment available 55 years ago. I can make a color card from that photo, but it'll have another vibe.

So here's another version of the Mazeroski WS card. I didn't color it all the way through, but you get the idea of how that card would look if Maz's body was left whole and uncut.

[fimg=777]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1538/26599794531_44e694d784_o.jpg[/fimg][fimg=444]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/26040717884_34f30c1bc0_o.jpg[/fimg]

[batmagadanleadoff]

Here's a traditional vertical style card for Game seven. I think the horizontal shot works better. The wider angle captures all the ensuing mayhem going on at home plate that you would expect, given the dramatic nature of what ESPN ranks as the greatest HR ever.

[fimg=300:2xgaxha4]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1586/26074300433_aee26e6060_o.jpg[/fimg:2xgaxha4] [fimg=444:2xgaxha4]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1538/26599794531_44e694d784_o.jpg[/fimg:2xgaxha4][fimg=544:2xgaxha4]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/26040717884_34f30c1bc0_o.jpg[/fimg:2xgaxha4]

Here's the video of the shot, -- the entire broadcast was discovered a few years ago in Bing Crosby's basement. And a shot of that fan who, if you didn't see his smile, looks like he's about to mug Mazeroski.

[fimg=444:2xgaxha4]https://blog-blogmediainc.netdna-ssl.com/upload/SportsBlogcom/100290/0159566001444592044_filepicker.jpg[/fimg:2xgaxha4]

[youtube:2xgaxha4]FE1nYMg-jU4[/youtube:2xgaxha4]

[fimg=333:2xgaxha4]http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2010/1013/pg2_g_bmazeroski1_576.jpg[/fimg:2xgaxha4]

[Zvon]

Look at the bald guy's hat. He was either a cabby or a stadium usher.

Come-on, finish that color work. That card is looking great! When making cards that contain game action I always seem to prefer the horizontal view.

Possible tip that may not even apply: If you are working in layers make the skin layer semi transparent, and see how that looks.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Come-on, finish that color work. That card is looking great! When making cards that contain game action I always seem to prefer the horizontal view. Possible tip that may not even apply: If you are working in layers make the skin layer semi transparent, and see how that looks.

I think I know what you're talking about. The images on a lot of those Topps hand colored cards from the 50's and early 60's have this part cartoon - part photograph look to them. Especially the faces. Like this:

[fimg=400]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rySENsN7QRI/VEaYYrZk3vI/AAAAAAAAX2c/ZNhNmGV2v5w/s1600/IMAG0837.jpg[/fimg][fimg=555]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0ww-HBh0no/Usgu6s3kBnI/AAAAAAAAX3I/9Xe1G3YXCDE/s1600/IMAG0841.jpg[/fimg]

That's what I was going for. Actually, I've been trying to get that particular look ever since I started doing these cards, with only some progress. I know that I colored the faces on that Maz card heavier than I should've, but I was too lazy to fix it. I'll fix it when I get around to adding some more color.

[Zvon]

I love those old cards. I tried to do up the look with mixed results.
Sometimes I do crazy stuff and I added "texture" to the grass on these. It supposed to simulate brush strokes but it looks more like a green stucco wall.

[fimg=400:2ghlukmn]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B1jNYNmC1Fw/U9yP_VCYM3I/AAAAAAAAS3g/jSr7-nfryLY-6qOIVCThYsjbDKP7yJbfACCo/s650/btHUSTLED-z14.png[/fimg:2ghlukmn]

I like how the texture on this one came out but there's like no detail to the figures.
I put an inner bevel on them. Why? I told ya I do crazy stuff. Maybe you can tell that's Staub and Cleon.
And maybe Rusty's holding Yogi's hand. Maybe this card could have used some more work.

[fimg=400:2ghlukmn]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z-BHeBlZLOE/U9yXiWQkC4I/AAAAAAAAS3s/h4dm4OY2ySgrjU32dMju4GKgn7kGddM6gCCo/s650/btMETSSTARS-z14.png[/fimg:2ghlukmn]

[batmagadanleadoff]

Those Mets-Reds cards are great. Even if they're not exactly like the Topps Baseball Thrills, they stand up on their own. That there's hardly any detail in those faces is my favorite part of those style cards. Those faces are like one big blob of thick pink color and a coupl'a dots and a dash. And yet there's enough context that you know who the faces belong too. Whered'ja get that source picture of the Met contingent marching out to the outfield to calm down the angry Mets fans?

Here's an update on the Maz HR card. A little more coloring, and another cartoon-photo attempt. It's not Topps 50's style but it's a style.

[fimg=600:1vni16g7]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1650/26686909525_7aa6341189_o.jpg[/fimg:1vni16g7]

[Zvon]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Those faces are like one big blob of thick pink color and a coupl'a dots and a dash. And yet there's enough context that you know who the faces belong too. Whered'ja get that source picture of the Met contingent marching out to the outfield to calm down the angry Mets fans? Here's an update on the Maz HR card. A little more coloring, and another cartoon-photo attempt. It's not Topps 50's style but it's a style. [fimg=400]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1650/26686909525_7aa6341189_o.jpg[/fimg]

That's smooth, looks great. You can see Maz's face.

I know just what you mean about dots and dashes.

[fimg=200]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Flh2Qpi4Mrw/UzEec5b1dII/AAAAAAAAN20/QWm80NKyukc899V71Cvt2hY3z6gshRX7QCCo/s576/73ToppsPack6.png[/fimg]


IIRC the image of the Mets walking was a screengrab from a news report, or some such clip.


Quality, horrendous. But I needed a card for that event. If it ain't out there, I'll create it. I have no shame.
[fimg=300]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cS72_X_5GrI/VyGXdeoWfVI/AAAAAAAAm2E/cDEr_KM2KSMkYbTAvN2ucatf_xyg48GPQCCo/s666/MetsWalk73nlcs-z14.png[/fimg]

[batmagadanleadoff]

Zvon wrote: Quality, horrendous. But I needed a card for that event.

What the hell did Staub need his bat for? The home town fans were on his side.

Here's some stucco. Don't go flinging this card around or you're liable to take somebody's eye out.

[fimg=777]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1586/26666997326_241d2413e7_o.jpg[/fimg]

Edited April 28, 2016 by Guest

[Edgy MD]

Staub was due up in the bottom of the fifth. He was getting ready when Berra called on thin to join the diplomatic corps. Things are getting ugly, he's not going to leave the tools of his trade behind.

Besides, I think it works better that way. If they all come out in battle gear, it only fires the fans up more. If none of them do, then the mob doesn't know they mean business. But a pleading Mays and an armed and dangerous Staub sort of works on fans like a good cop/bad cop dynamic.

[Zvon]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Here's some stucco. Don't go flinging this card around or you're liable to take somebody's eye out. [fimg=777]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1586/26666997326_241d2413e7_o.jpg[/fimg]

Wow, that's an amazing effect. You can feel those pointy parts.

[Zvon]

Yea, Rusty was ready.
And personally, I would not have gone out there w/o a helmet. I had just seen a whiskey bottle fly in their direction a few minutes earlier. But no one threw anything at our guys. The crowd reacted like the Beatles were walking out there.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Zvon wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: Here's some stucco. Don't go flinging this card around or you're liable to take somebody's eye out. [fimg=444]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1586/26666997326_241d2413e7_o.jpg[/fimg] Wow, that's an amazing effect. You can feel those pointy parts.

Here's the last one, then I'm putting this card in storage. I took the stucco off of the people and played around with the shading on the remaining stucco. This, I think, gives the Maz image somewhat of a 3-D effect.


[fimg=777]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1515/26607603482_4d7609347e_o.jpg[/fimg]

[Zvon]

That look is incredible. Like someone pasted little colored paper bits on a board.
Here, put it in plastic.