Goofs, Gaffs, & Errers Page!
1948 Leaf #102 Gene Hermanki Error
(spelled "Hermansk")
(spelled "Hermansk")
1948 Leaf #102 Gene Hermanki (Correct version)
On this page we will present some classic error cards. Error cards are commonly misunderstood in the hobby. Most think that just because they found an error in a player's
name, or if a card shows part of another card (miscut), that the card has got to be worth some money. Well, in most cases, this is not the case. Most printing errors were not
corrected so the cards are just as common, as say, another common card. However when you have a card that is an error card, and it was later corrected and printed in much
greater quantities, then you have something. Because a scarce card is usually a valuable card. Many collector's also will collect errors or variations to complete their sets.
Variations are not really errors, but usually there will be some noticeable difference between two cards. For instance, some 1962 Topps baseball cards were printed with a
"green tint" to them compared to the regular cards. In both 1959 and 1966, Topps printed cards with or without "trade references" on the reverse. These are examples of
variations. Collecting error cards is a fun and can be challenging if you are after the rare ones. From the early Tobacco card to modern present day cards, thousands of errors
exist. Not all are rare or expensive but they sure are interesting! Enjoy!
name, or if a card shows part of another card (miscut), that the card has got to be worth some money. Well, in most cases, this is not the case. Most printing errors were not
corrected so the cards are just as common, as say, another common card. However when you have a card that is an error card, and it was later corrected and printed in much
greater quantities, then you have something. Because a scarce card is usually a valuable card. Many collector's also will collect errors or variations to complete their sets.
Variations are not really errors, but usually there will be some noticeable difference between two cards. For instance, some 1962 Topps baseball cards were printed with a
"green tint" to them compared to the regular cards. In both 1959 and 1966, Topps printed cards with or without "trade references" on the reverse. These are examples of
variations. Collecting error cards is a fun and can be challenging if you are after the rare ones. From the early Tobacco card to modern present day cards, thousands of errors
exist. Not all are rare or expensive but they sure are interesting! Enjoy!
1957 Topps #20 Hank Aaron UER
One of the hobby's best known "error" cards is this 1957 Topps #20 Hank Aaron card. Can you spot the error? Check out Hank's number "44" for the giveaway or you can just
see that Hank is batting lefty and all of his 755 lifetime home runs were hit right-handed. This is an example of an uncorrected error (UER), which means that the error was never
corrected. Which normally would mean that the card would not command a premium. But being that this card is a highly desired early card of "Hammerin' Hank" PLUS the fact that
it is an error card, then you have a valuable card. Expect to pay over $200 for a graded NM example. It should be noted that even without the error, this would still be an expensive
Hank Aaron card. However if it were a common player, say Dick Sisler, then it probably wouldn't command any sort of premium at all. Get it?
see that Hank is batting lefty and all of his 755 lifetime home runs were hit right-handed. This is an example of an uncorrected error (UER), which means that the error was never
corrected. Which normally would mean that the card would not command a premium. But being that this card is a highly desired early card of "Hammerin' Hank" PLUS the fact that
it is an error card, then you have a valuable card. Expect to pay over $200 for a graded NM example. It should be noted that even without the error, this would still be an expensive
Hank Aaron card. However if it were a common player, say Dick Sisler, then it probably wouldn't command any sort of premium at all. Get it?
| 1959 Topps #440 Lou Burdette UER |
Then you have guys like Lou Burdette. On this 1959 Topps #440 baseball card, the player's
name is Lou Burdette, but actually Lou's real name is "Lewis" or "Lew" Burdette, so this is
actually two errors on one card. What is the other error? Burdette was a right handed pitcher. Yet
for the Topps cameraman, he posed left handed. Burdette must have been some character. This
might be the first example of a player who tricked a Topps photographer, but certainly not the last
(see 1969 Topps #653 Aurelio Rodriguez below). This is another example of an uncorrected error
card. It was never corrected. Hence it's value is a bit more than a common as Lew Burdette was a
very good pitcher. However it is still a great example of a classic error card.
name is Lou Burdette, but actually Lou's real name is "Lewis" or "Lew" Burdette, so this is
actually two errors on one card. What is the other error? Burdette was a right handed pitcher. Yet
for the Topps cameraman, he posed left handed. Burdette must have been some character. This
might be the first example of a player who tricked a Topps photographer, but certainly not the last
(see 1969 Topps #653 Aurelio Rodriguez below). This is another example of an uncorrected error
card. It was never corrected. Hence it's value is a bit more than a common as Lew Burdette was a
very good pitcher. However it is still a great example of a classic error card.
| 1969 Topps #693 Aurelio Rodriguez UER |
Another classic uncorrected error: 1969 Topps #653 Aurelio Rodriguez. In 1969, the Topps
photographer went looking for Angel's rookie third baseman Aurelio Rodriguez. But instead of taking
Rodriguez's photo, he instead mistakenly took the picture of Angels bat boy Leonard Garcia. I don't
know if it was intentional or who was just an accident but this was a pretty big goof. And so how about
this, here is this bat boy, living every kid's fantasy and here he is immortalized on a baseball card. As
Mel Allen would say..."How about that!" "Who goofed? I've got to know!"
Technically, while this would be considered Aurelio Rodriguez's rookie card, his first appearance on a
baseball card would later appear in the 1970 Topps set.
photographer went looking for Angel's rookie third baseman Aurelio Rodriguez. But instead of taking
Rodriguez's photo, he instead mistakenly took the picture of Angels bat boy Leonard Garcia. I don't
know if it was intentional or who was just an accident but this was a pretty big goof. And so how about
this, here is this bat boy, living every kid's fantasy and here he is immortalized on a baseball card. As
Mel Allen would say..."How about that!" "Who goofed? I've got to know!"
Technically, while this would be considered Aurelio Rodriguez's rookie card, his first appearance on a
baseball card would later appear in the 1970 Topps set.
| 1962 Post Canadian #9a Whitey Ford ERROR |
1962 Post Canadian #9a Whitey Ford ERROR. See if you can spot the error in this one.
It's pretty easy. Look at the team name. Los Angeles Dodgers? Are you kidding me?
Whoever screwed up this one screwed up big time. But is sure makes for a terrific job. Post
corrected the error, but probably late in the press runs as the corrected version is actually
worth more than the error card! Personally, I don't care how much the card is worth. If it is
an interesting error, especially of a Hall of Famer, I like it! Terrific and undervalued card. I
picked up one of these for $2 recently. Imagine if Sandy Koufax was ever pictured on a
card that said "Yankees." That would probably fetch some big bucks.
It's pretty easy. Look at the team name. Los Angeles Dodgers? Are you kidding me?
Whoever screwed up this one screwed up big time. But is sure makes for a terrific job. Post
corrected the error, but probably late in the press runs as the corrected version is actually
worth more than the error card! Personally, I don't care how much the card is worth. If it is
an interesting error, especially of a Hall of Famer, I like it! Terrific and undervalued card. I
picked up one of these for $2 recently. Imagine if Sandy Koufax was ever pictured on a
card that said "Yankees." That would probably fetch some big bucks.
1969 Topps #500a Mickey Mantle (last name in
white)
white)
1969 Topps #500 Mickey Mantle (last name in white). While considered a variation, the Topps "white letter" cards are technically a printing error. You can really spot
the difference by comparing the two cards. The white letter variation on the left has a "duller" look to it, not to mention "Mantle" is white. It is missing something in the color
process. The corrected version exhibits bolder colors and now "Mantle" is corrected to yellow in color. So while this is a variation, it is also an error card because Topps
obviously corrected the error later in the print runs. There were several other "white letter" variations besides Mantle, Willie McCovey and Gaylord Perry are also included
and all of the white letter variations command a pretty good price hike compared to the corrected Topps cards. The Mantle, of course, is easily the most expensive. The
white letter Mantle lists at $1200 in ungraded NM, while the corrected Mantle card (last name in yellow) lists for $175 in NM. A very tough Mantle and probably one of the
most expensive error or variation cards in the hobby.
the difference by comparing the two cards. The white letter variation on the left has a "duller" look to it, not to mention "Mantle" is white. It is missing something in the color
process. The corrected version exhibits bolder colors and now "Mantle" is corrected to yellow in color. So while this is a variation, it is also an error card because Topps
obviously corrected the error later in the print runs. There were several other "white letter" variations besides Mantle, Willie McCovey and Gaylord Perry are also included
and all of the white letter variations command a pretty good price hike compared to the corrected Topps cards. The Mantle, of course, is easily the most expensive. The
white letter Mantle lists at $1200 in ungraded NM, while the corrected Mantle card (last name in yellow) lists for $175 in NM. A very tough Mantle and probably one of the
most expensive error or variation cards in the hobby.
1969 Topps #500b Mickey Mantle (last name in
yellow)
yellow)
1974 Topps #250a Willie McCovey 1974 Topps #250b Willie McCovey
(Washington Nat'l Lea.") ERROR (San Diego Padres) Correct version
(Washington Nat'l Lea.") ERROR (San Diego Padres) Correct version
1974 Topps #250a Willie McCovey (Washington error). Willie McCovey ("Stretch") is featured on a couple of classic error cards. As mentioned above, he was included in the
scarce 1969 "white letter" variations (1969 Topps #440a Willie McCovey, last name in white) and he was also featured in this classic gaff by Topps Chewing Gum in 1974. In
1974, it was rumored that the San Diego Padres were going to be moving to Washington. Topps assumed it was going to happen as they began printing Padres players with
"Washington" and "Nat'L Lea." instead of San Diego Padres. Big mistake. The Padres obviously didn't move but here were these cards that depicted with their "new" team. Not
terribly expensive, these "Washington" error cards are pretty affordable for most collectors. You can buy "common" Washington error cards for about $3 each in ungraded NM
condition. Maybe even less. The McCovey is the most expensive card at $17.50 in NM. Expect to pay more for graded examples.
scarce 1969 "white letter" variations (1969 Topps #440a Willie McCovey, last name in white) and he was also featured in this classic gaff by Topps Chewing Gum in 1974. In
1974, it was rumored that the San Diego Padres were going to be moving to Washington. Topps assumed it was going to happen as they began printing Padres players with
"Washington" and "Nat'L Lea." instead of San Diego Padres. Big mistake. The Padres obviously didn't move but here were these cards that depicted with their "new" team. Not
terribly expensive, these "Washington" error cards are pretty affordable for most collectors. You can buy "common" Washington error cards for about $3 each in ungraded NM
condition. Maybe even less. The McCovey is the most expensive card at $17.50 in NM. Expect to pay more for graded examples.
| 1970 Topps #189 Yankees Rookie Stars (Thurman Munson RC) miscut |
Here is an example of a miscut card, a 1970 Topps #189 Yankees Rookie Stars (Thurman Munson, Dave McDonald). This is a terrible cutting job by Topps. I saw this
one on eBay. The seller described this card as an "error cut" and "scarce to find variation." While the miscut is a printing error, this card is not really considered an error
card but as simply, MISCUT. A miscut will usually be missing an entire border or borders, and usually another part of a different card will be seen. Which means it's value is
significantly LESS than just about any other 1970 Topps #189 Thurman Munson rookie card that has a decent cut. In other words, miscut and severely off-centered cards
are not exactly on everyone's top ten list. As far as being "scarce," I guess you could say that a card miscut as badly as this would warrant a "scarce" label; however this is
NOT considered a variation.
That being said, there are some collectors who collect cards like this and other miscellaneous printing errors that are not listed in the baseball card catalogs (Catalogs like
Sports Collector's Digest Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards will not list common printing errors (miscuts, wrong backs, etc.). I have a 1968 Topps #330 Roger Maris
baseball card that is missing the black ink of the card front (see our Roger Maris Page for a picture). It is very rare, however when I sent the scan to the editor of the SCD
Catalog (Bob Lemke), he stated that while it was an interesting card, it would not warrant a listing in the catalog. Which I found interesting because the catalog DOES list the
1982 Topps "Blackless" cards which were also missing black ink (borders, etc.) on the card fronts. However there are numerous examples of these variations and that is why
they are listed. If there were other known examples of the "blackless" Maris card than it just might get listed as a variation. But in the meantime I have a very interesting (&
rare) 1968 Topps #330 Roger Maris "blackless" card. I really don't care if it's worth $500 or $5. I am a big Maris fan and love to collect obscure Maris issues. So this is the
fun of collecting - collecting what interests YOU and not what cards are "worth." If you collect what you want and what you can afford, then you will have a fun time with your
collection.
one on eBay. The seller described this card as an "error cut" and "scarce to find variation." While the miscut is a printing error, this card is not really considered an error
card but as simply, MISCUT. A miscut will usually be missing an entire border or borders, and usually another part of a different card will be seen. Which means it's value is
significantly LESS than just about any other 1970 Topps #189 Thurman Munson rookie card that has a decent cut. In other words, miscut and severely off-centered cards
are not exactly on everyone's top ten list. As far as being "scarce," I guess you could say that a card miscut as badly as this would warrant a "scarce" label; however this is
NOT considered a variation.
That being said, there are some collectors who collect cards like this and other miscellaneous printing errors that are not listed in the baseball card catalogs (Catalogs like
Sports Collector's Digest Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards will not list common printing errors (miscuts, wrong backs, etc.). I have a 1968 Topps #330 Roger Maris
baseball card that is missing the black ink of the card front (see our Roger Maris Page for a picture). It is very rare, however when I sent the scan to the editor of the SCD
Catalog (Bob Lemke), he stated that while it was an interesting card, it would not warrant a listing in the catalog. Which I found interesting because the catalog DOES list the
1982 Topps "Blackless" cards which were also missing black ink (borders, etc.) on the card fronts. However there are numerous examples of these variations and that is why
they are listed. If there were other known examples of the "blackless" Maris card than it just might get listed as a variation. But in the meantime I have a very interesting (&
rare) 1968 Topps #330 Roger Maris "blackless" card. I really don't care if it's worth $500 or $5. I am a big Maris fan and love to collect obscure Maris issues. So this is the
fun of collecting - collecting what interests YOU and not what cards are "worth." If you collect what you want and what you can afford, then you will have a fun time with your
collection.
| 1962 Topps #139 Hal Reniff |
This is an example of both an error card and a variation. There are 3 different 1962 Topps cards numbered 139. Being that cards 135-144 were designated as a special tribute to
Babe Ruth, and there is a Ruth card numbered 139(c) (Ruth Hits 60), this is definitely an error card. But there are actually two different Hal Reniff cards; one is a portrait (1962
Topps #139b) while this one, 1962 Topps #139(a), shows him in a pitching pose. The Reniff pitching pose version is the toughest of all three and lists for $32.50 in ungraded NM
condition. And to make it even tougher, there is a "green tint" version of all three cards. Whew. So if you are working on the set with all variations and errors you are going to need
SIX different cards numbered 139. Good luck!
Babe Ruth, and there is a Ruth card numbered 139(c) (Ruth Hits 60), this is definitely an error card. But there are actually two different Hal Reniff cards; one is a portrait (1962
Topps #139b) while this one, 1962 Topps #139(a), shows him in a pitching pose. The Reniff pitching pose version is the toughest of all three and lists for $32.50 in ungraded NM
condition. And to make it even tougher, there is a "green tint" version of all three cards. Whew. So if you are working on the set with all variations and errors you are going to need
SIX different cards numbered 139. Good luck!
| 1963 Topps #113 Don Landrum ERROR (photo actually Ron Santo) |
1956 Topps #31 Hank Aaron UER (inset photo actually Willie
Mays)
Mays)
The 1963 Topps #113 Don Landrum (above, left) is an error card in that it pictures instead Ron Santo. It is an uncorrected error and quite a bargain. The real 1963 Topps
#252 Ron Santo card lists for $12 in ungraded NM, while the #113 Don Landrum error card featuring Santo is only $4.
Another lesser known error card featuring the great Hank Aaron is this 1956 Topps #31 card (above right). While the large photo is indeed Hank Aaron, notice the build of
the runner sliding into home plate. Aaron was never muscle bound like Mickey Mantle, Ted Kluszewski, or Willie Mays. However the player sliding in the photo is in fact Willie
Mays. Topps chose to simply airbrush a Milwaukee uniform on the Giant's Say Hey Kid. This is another example of an uncorrected error and in fact, most publications don't
even acknowledge that this is an error card. But it is.
#252 Ron Santo card lists for $12 in ungraded NM, while the #113 Don Landrum error card featuring Santo is only $4.
Another lesser known error card featuring the great Hank Aaron is this 1956 Topps #31 card (above right). While the large photo is indeed Hank Aaron, notice the build of
the runner sliding into home plate. Aaron was never muscle bound like Mickey Mantle, Ted Kluszewski, or Willie Mays. However the player sliding in the photo is in fact Willie
Mays. Topps chose to simply airbrush a Milwaukee uniform on the Giant's Say Hey Kid. This is another example of an uncorrected error and in fact, most publications don't
even acknowledge that this is an error card. But it is.
1966 Topps #447 Dick Ellsworth UER (photo
actually Ken Hubbs)
actually Ken Hubbs)
Cards depicting different players are not that uncommon. However this 1966 Topps #447 Dick Ellsworth card is a tremendous screw up by Topps Chewing Gum. The photo
depicts promising infielder Ken Hubbs, who was tragically killed in a plane crash 3 years prior. In fact Topps issued a special IN MEMORIUM card featuring Ken Hubbs in their
1964 set (card #550). This is a tragedy relived by Topps in a classic error card.
depicts promising infielder Ken Hubbs, who was tragically killed in a plane crash 3 years prior. In fact Topps issued a special IN MEMORIUM card featuring Ken Hubbs in their
1964 set (card #550). This is a tragedy relived by Topps in a classic error card.
| 1963 Topps #300 Willie Mays ERROR (incorrect Whitey Herzog back) |
| 1963 Topps #300 Willie Mays ERROR (incorrect back) |
The above 1963 Topps #300 Willie Mays is an example of an incorrect back. Yes, it IS an error card. Most 1963 Topps Willie Mays cards will have a correct Willie Mays
back. Not this one, which features card #302 Whitey Herzog on the back. Incorrect backs are not rare; however they are very scarce and being that this is a desirable Hall
Of Famer, it would (& should) command some premium over a regular correct 1963 Topps Mays. Because these are not rare, price guides will not acknowledge them as
true error or variation cards. But they should. You have to figure that Topps had some sort of quality control and that is this one card is incorrect, the entire sheet
(something like 132 cards) has incorrect backs. So Topps (you think), would have tossed these incorrect sheets out. Yet, here is a terrific example of a real ERROR card,
probably pulled from a pack in 1963.
back. Not this one, which features card #302 Whitey Herzog on the back. Incorrect backs are not rare; however they are very scarce and being that this is a desirable Hall
Of Famer, it would (& should) command some premium over a regular correct 1963 Topps Mays. Because these are not rare, price guides will not acknowledge them as
true error or variation cards. But they should. You have to figure that Topps had some sort of quality control and that is this one card is incorrect, the entire sheet
(something like 132 cards) has incorrect backs. So Topps (you think), would have tossed these incorrect sheets out. Yet, here is a terrific example of a real ERROR card,
probably pulled from a pack in 1963.
1963 Topps #120 Roger Maris (Courtesy of Thomas Reed)
This 1963 Topps Dick McAuliffe card is way out of register. Usually this happens at the very beginning of the press run. You would think Topps would have destroyed the bad
sheets, but somehow this card (and probably the other cards on the sheet) managed to survive. Thanks to Thomas Reed for sending this terrific card!
sheets, but somehow this card (and probably the other cards on the sheet) managed to survive. Thanks to Thomas Reed for sending this terrific card!
I am not sure who the player is on this 1970 Topps baseball card but I will find out soon (The player is Hank Allen who actually has a very expensive rookie card in that he appears
with a certain Rodney Cline Carew on 1967 Topps #569 A.L. Rookie Stars). Regardless, this is another interesting printing error which is missing the black ink on front. While I'm
here I might as well mention centering. Check out the uneven borders top to bottom. In the old days, centering was not as big a deal as it is today. But with the emergence of
grading services, centering is now a major factor in the grading of cards. For more on grading, check out our How To Grade Page. (Card scan courtesy of the Thomas Reed
collection)
with a certain Rodney Cline Carew on 1967 Topps #569 A.L. Rookie Stars). Regardless, this is another interesting printing error which is missing the black ink on front. While I'm
here I might as well mention centering. Check out the uneven borders top to bottom. In the old days, centering was not as big a deal as it is today. But with the emergence of
grading services, centering is now a major factor in the grading of cards. For more on grading, check out our How To Grade Page. (Card scan courtesy of the Thomas Reed
collection)
1962 Post Cereal #124a Joey Jay (rare "Blue line" variation)
While considered a "variation" card this 1962 Post Cereal #124a Joey Jay with "blue lines" in the stats area is actually an "error" card. Somehow Post goofed and printed three
National League cards (Joey Jay, Sandy Koufax, and Roberto Clemente) with blue lines in the statistics area. All of the National league cards featured red lines and red border, while
the American league players had blue borders and blue lines. Somewhere (probably early) in the printing process, some of the Jay, Koufax, and Clemente cards were printed with
blue lines, which was supposed to be for American league players. Post must have corrected the mistake early because most you find with the correct red border and lines. All 3
cards with the blue lines are very difficult to acquire; for me the Joey Jay was the hardest one. Everyone would of course, save a Koufax or Clemente card, but Joey Jay? Sure he
won 21 games for the pennant winning Reds in 1961, but Jay was not and still is not exactly a household name. Rodney Dangerfield comes to mind ("I can't get no respect..."). Not
only is it tough just to find one of these, but try and find one that is cut nice is another challenge. Check out the cut on the above card. While not terrible, it is cut short near the top
left corner and along the left bottom edge. As such most reputable grading services won't even assign a grade; they will simply issue an "Authentic" label and slab the card.
Regardless, this is a very tough card and a must have if you are working on a 1962 Post cereal set with variations.
National League cards (Joey Jay, Sandy Koufax, and Roberto Clemente) with blue lines in the statistics area. All of the National league cards featured red lines and red border, while
the American league players had blue borders and blue lines. Somewhere (probably early) in the printing process, some of the Jay, Koufax, and Clemente cards were printed with
blue lines, which was supposed to be for American league players. Post must have corrected the mistake early because most you find with the correct red border and lines. All 3
cards with the blue lines are very difficult to acquire; for me the Joey Jay was the hardest one. Everyone would of course, save a Koufax or Clemente card, but Joey Jay? Sure he
won 21 games for the pennant winning Reds in 1961, but Jay was not and still is not exactly a household name. Rodney Dangerfield comes to mind ("I can't get no respect..."). Not
only is it tough just to find one of these, but try and find one that is cut nice is another challenge. Check out the cut on the above card. While not terrible, it is cut short near the top
left corner and along the left bottom edge. As such most reputable grading services won't even assign a grade; they will simply issue an "Authentic" label and slab the card.
Regardless, this is a very tough card and a must have if you are working on a 1962 Post cereal set with variations.
1979 Topps #369 Bump Wills (Correct card and Error card)
Here is a fun error card, featuring Bump Wills (son of Maury Wills of Dodgers fame). The 1979 Topps #369 Bump Wills card on the left shows him correctly as a Texas Ranger,
while the card on the right shows his team as being the Toronto Blue Jays (error card). Both cards list for $2 each in the 2009 Sports Collector's Digest Standard Catalog of
Baseball Cards so these cards are not hard to get.
while the card on the right shows his team as being the Toronto Blue Jays (error card). Both cards list for $2 each in the 2009 Sports Collector's Digest Standard Catalog of
Baseball Cards so these cards are not hard to get.