Finding a new variation in the 1990 set is not generally big news, as tons of minor varieties pop up every day, such as hairlines in text, broken stat lines etc. New varieties featuring types of changes not previously seen before, are another thing.
Take a look at a recent find, unearthed while sorting over 30,000 1990 Pro Set commons. Card number 135, Rohn Stark, Punter for the Indianapolis Colts:
Notice how Rohn’s right foot lines up with the K in STARK on the first example and on the second, his foot lines up between the A and R in STARK. It appears as though Ron’s name was shifted to the left and eventually centered to fit the set’s format.
Out of 43 copies, just 3 had the first type with his name shifted to the left. Is it rare? Not sure, because, as with 1990 Pro Set, a collector out there could have 40 copies of the left-shifted name and 3 of the centered-name type.
Why is this a noteworthy find?
This marks the first of this type of error. As far as I know, there are no previously documented variations that involve the placement of the player’s name in the team-color bar, which opens the door to the possibility that there are others out there. Thus creating a new variety type to be on the lookout for.
I’d be interested in hearing of any other cards affected by this type of variation.
Sorry, I couldn’t find a way to contact you, so I’m going to settle and leave a comment here, if that’s alright. Ran across a random card – a 1994 Topps football card (“Measures of Greatness” – Michael Irvin #318) and on the back of the card, it shows his stats in comparison with the average hall of famer for his position. However, it says “AVG. HOF-RB” instead of WR. Couldn’t find it anywhere else online and just curious if it’s common, rare, unknown, or what…?
Thanks!
Mike
Not a variation, just a printing register issue. I’ve gone through all my dupes and found literally hundreds of examples of the shift in the top and bottom banners. If you look at your example you’ll see that the top banner also shifts along with the bottom banner.
I’m sorry to say but you are incorrect. This is a confirmed plate change and not a registration issue. If you look you’ll find that the shift is in the exact place every time on the incorrect version, an off register misprinting wouldn’t be exact between multiple examples. I’ve done a lot of research on this card (and the set as a whole) and I have yet to see any other card with this variation, much less, another with the name shift in the exact same place.