1991 Topps A*B* Sheet Code Variations: Ongoing Checklist

This impressive look at 1991 Topps A*B* variations comes courtesy of JunkWaxGems contributor, Eric, a fellow E&V collector with an impressive collection:

“As if 1991 Topps has not already confounded collectors enough with its broad range of errors, variations, and printing oddities, one print variation may even eclipse the tough-to-find Mark Whiten, Drabek and Hoiles errors in scarcity.

It is well known that the backs of some 1991 Topps cards were printed with both a bold red 40^th Anniversary” design behind the player stats and a more faded version that makes the card back easier to read.  All cards that were printed on the A* and B* sheets can be found with both bold and faded backs.  However, some of the cards from that A* sheet can also be found with an A*B* print designation at the bottom of the back of the card. 

This variation has ONLY been seen on cards with the bold “40^th Anniversary” back and any cards with this variation have proven to be incredibly scarce.  In fact, these cards are so rare that it has been difficult to compile a complete listing.

The following 1991 Topps cards are presently known to be available with the A*B* print designation, although it is possible that other cards from the A* sheet are also available with the A*B* designation:

#13 – Mariano Duncan

#54 – Gary Mielke

#63 – Milt Thompson

#72 – Junior Ortiz

#76 – Jerry Browne

#83 – Daryl Boston

#120 – Joe Carter

#123 – Greg Harris

#153 – Bryan Harvey

#155 – Dwight Evans (error version only)

#170 – Carlton Fisk

#177 – Reggie Harris

#178 – Dave Valle

#190 – Matt Williams

#192 – Rob Deer

#193 – Felix Fermin

#213 – Frank Wills

#216 – Greg Gagne

#223 – Allan Anderson

#237 – Rick Cerone

#242 – Mike LaCoss

#248 – Tom Gordon

#250 – Dennis Eckersley

#265 – Mark Gubicza

#270 – Mark McGwire (correct version only)

#272 – Jeff King

#284 – Billy Spiers

#290 – Steve Sax

#297 – Manny Lee

#312 – Charlie Hayes

#314 – Gary Pettis

#317 – Mike Fitzgerald

#345 – Len Dykstra

#382 – Mackey Sasser

#384 – Gerald Perry

#422 – Rick Reuschel

#440 – George Bell

#453 – Bill Schroeder

#454 – Kevin Appier (error version only)

#463 – Dwight Smith

#475 – Teddy Higuera

#478 – Kurt Stillwell

#480 – Dave Magadan

#481 – Eddie Whitson

#509 – Glenallen Hill

#532 – Kirk McCaskill

#538 – Bip Roberts

#584 – Kevin Brown

#595 – Bill Landrum

#610 – Andres Galarraga

#622 – Jack Daugherty

#642 – Hal Morris

#644 – Chuck Crim

#650 – Jack Clark

#664 – John Farrell

#667 – Kent Anderson

#677 – Bill Ripken

#716 – Bob Geren

#718 – Steve Crawford

#756 – Jeff Huson

#781 – Daryl Hamilton

#783 – Joel Skinner

#785 – Scott Fletcher

If this wasn’t enough, there is also another variation from the A* and B* sheets where the light pink area behind the biographical information on the back of the card is printed in the same dark red color as the rest of the red card back.  This seems to be more common on the B* sheet, and again, is only found on cards with the bold red “40^th Anniversary” back.  At present, there has not yet been an attempt to catalog these variations so it is unknown how many cards from these sheets were affected by this variation.”

A huge “thanks” to Eric for digging this out, doing the research and this thorough write-up.

I can safely say that throughout my many 1991 Topps phases, I have opened more of the product than most people would be able to rationalize . I have broken countless boxes, sets, and sorted through hundreds of thousands of loose 1991 Topps singles found in miscellany and junk boxes and have turned just about every copy over as well: these variations (Daryl Boston excluded) are hands down the rarest of the issue. I’ve come across many Mark Whiten, Drabek and Hoiles errors, yet have never held a copy of these A*B* variations. While patience will usually bring out the “big three” previously mentioned, less than ten copies of this variety have ever been offered for sale!