The only example known or likely to exist contains a staple tear in the corner likely from where it was attached to a sample book or folder at the Topps Headquarters
FLIPPER
GIDGET
ONCE RUMORED TO EXISTANCE
Flipper, a short 30 cards in number, is an almost impossible set - up there with the rarest Topps cards and may not have even been tested. It was likely abandoned in the final stages and a product called Flipper's Magic Fish, originally slated as an insert for the Flipper cards was jury-rigged to stand in its place.
THE WALTONS
TOPPS TESTED IN 1973
1973 GAI Graded Wax Test pack SOLD on Legendary Auctions in 2009 for $1,300.
TWIGGY
Named after the supermodel from the late 60's. The set is quite scarce and it is believed to either have failed a marketing test (possibly twice) or been withdrawn just before distribution was to occur. The cards are black and white and measure 3 1/8" x 4 3/8" and have nothing on their backs at all and thought to consist of 34 cards. Update April 2015 a couple cards have showed up on Ebay for $165
The wrapper looks like a test version cello, with no gum included, nor even a mention of Topps
THE ROOKIES
KOOKY AWARDS
JULIA
ROOM 222
BEWITCHED TEST ISSUE by Topps in 1965
A few samples shown below, one with Topps COA.
Some assorted PSA 8's are currently for sale online for $225 (Dec '14)
32 MINI STICKERS
Nothing on these in the reference guides. Test pack was issued in 1965 and the regular issue in 1967. A little rare but can be found on Ebay sometimes. I have seen the regular issue for $27 and the test wrapper for $50.
IT'S ABOUT TIME
By Topps
As far as I know this is all that exist of this rare non sport title, just seperated parts of a box. Based on a short lived sitcom staring Imogene coca.
CAPTIAN NICE
Captian Nice set was a test run for a 1967-1968 unpopular show of the same name. For some reason was never produced in regular issue.
It's believed that 200 or maybe as many as 300 cards exist.
Proofs from Topps Vault can be found on Ebay for $400 to $500,
an actual test card has been seen for $375 asking price.
The test wrapper can be seen on Ebay but very rarely.
CHARLIE'S ANGELS
I have never seen these around except for theses images, notice the white sticker on the back which is consistent with Topps test packs.
*Update: A better condition wax pack sold Ebay Nov. 2015. It was BIN $300 but best offer was accepted.
HYSTERICAL HISTORY "TEST PACK"
BONANZA "TEST CARDS"
I just recently came across these on an auction house website. They were starting bidding at $750 each and only one currently had a bid. Up until I found these all I knew was that one sample had been circulated at Topps mocked-up as a joke but this appears as proof that the idea went a little further. The below paragraph was copied from the auction sites accompying description of the cards.
"Roughly a handful of these scarce depictions from this extraordinary series are known to exist. The offered "Bonanza" cards, produced as a prospective test issue by Topps in 1965, feature black-and-white photograph scenes showcasing several of the television show's most popular characters. The cardbacks are distinctive, too, with a creative branding iron graphic that recalls the program's classic ending credits. The 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" cards exhibit staple holes, doubtless from attachment to Topps inter-office memos circulated to gather executive input about the proposed series. These are "must-have" items for the advanced card collector or the true Bonanza nostalgist - and it's highly unlikely that other specimens will be offered for sale in the foreseeable future."
ADAM CARTWRIGHT #2
HOSS CARTWRIGHT #13
LITTLE JOE #16
BOBBY SHERMAN 1971 TOPPS TEST
Only about 20 full sets of 55 cards were issued.
Wax Pack Display Box Proof Sheet. Direct from Topps' legendary Vault, this original proof sheet measures roughly 20" X 21" and overall, is in good condition. Virtually all Topps Test issues were released in plain white boxes. It's safe to say that this pictorial box was never released. There is not a box code printed on this sheet..
Of all the unusual nonsports series Topps tested in the last century, few are as rare or mysterious as the Flash Gordon set. Manufactured around 1968, this series of 24 cards continues to raise more questions than answers among the few folks who have dared to collect them.
Flash Gordon was a science fiction comic strip originally published in 1934 and created to compete with the super popular Buck Rogers series (which first appeared as a pulp magazine story inside Amazing Stories in 1928 (see Wrapper #118)). Both space heroes were big hits and went on to spawn competing radio series, comic books, and movie serials. The Flash Gordon radio series began in 1935 and starred Gale Gordon as the swashbuckling hero. That's right, that Gale Gordon--the portly Mr. Mooney who played Lucy's cantankerous boss on The Lucille Ball Show. If that's not a contrast to Flash Gordon, imagine him as the up tight Oliver Douglas in Green Acres. (He played the radio version of Douglas in 1950!)
But Flash really reached stardom a year after his radio debut, with the King Features movie serial, Flash Gordon. Buster Crabbe played the blond athletic hero, who's exploits went on to generate two more serial sequels, Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars (1938) and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940). Crabbe starred in all three productions and they were big blockbusters.
It's not clear is why the card set was never released as a regular issue. That's just one of many unusual aspects to this unique series. Here's more:
It's one of the rarest of the rare. Only four boxes were found, and less than a dozen complete sets resulted from all of them. Bob Marks made the discovery in 1984, and he wrote about it in Wrapper #124. He noted several interesting facts...
• There are only 24 cards in the set.
• Each 5 card pack was sealed in cellophane with a stick of gum, and wrapped again inside a generic "fun pack" wrapper.
1968 FLASH GORDON
The Article below was published in The Wrapper about the Flash Gordon set
1975 Topps Fancy Pants wax pack SOLD on Ebay in 2013 for $113
FANCY PANTS
Topps 1966 TEST issue, sealed wax packs are rare, I have seen only 1 for sale on Ebay asking $429, down from $500. Wrappers can be found once in a while for around $50.
FOLD A ROOS
SIX-MILLION $ MAN
1974 Topps Mexican Test Issue
Offered (unsold) on Ebay in 2014 for $89
HEE HAW
Test issued in 1970, this card has been offered on Ebay for $99.
Other ones also offered for up to $350 each.
TEST ISSUES
A UNCUT SHEET SOLD IN OCT. 2014 ON EBAY FOR $1,525
TOPPS In-House Mock-ups
Laverne & Shirley and The Hardy Boys. One of a kind samples put together in Topps Offices as possible issues but likely went no further.
The 1972 RARE Topps test issue for THE ROOKIES. This issue was notorious for being off-center. As you can see from the examples on the right, sometime so far off that the text that is suppose to be on the bottom of the card was sometimes on the top of the card that was below it on the print sheet.
MOD GENERATION STICKERS
Test issue with the typiacl white sticker on a white wax wrapper.
Being offered on Ebay March 2015 for $165
Not known to exist until former Topps spokesman Norman Liss confirmed them. Angry Stickers were issued only on a test basis in 1967. Wrappers are very but can be found on Ebay once in awhile. . Wax packs are not currently known to exist but of course it's possible someone owns one. Also no one is known to own a box.
ANGRY STICKERS 5¢
DAVE CLARK 5
Some very rare test cards, a good informative article on these is on Topps Archives. To read it
Update: April 2015 ,
this Laverne & Shirley
and the Hardy Boys on the right
showed up on Ebay BIN for $375 each.
The seller obtained them from a Topps Executive.
SHOCK
THEATER
1975 Test issue
Wax Pack sells 2015 Ebay
April $10
Nov $16
LAND OF THE GIANTS
1968 Topps Test Issue
GAI 8 wrapper offered Ebay in 2015 for $425
This BOBBY SHERMAN BUBBLE GUM PLAKS DISPLAY BOX Topps Test Issue released in 1970 offered on ebay and is one of perhaps only a few surviving examples. This Original DISPLAY BOX is in
unused near mint condition and has never been assembled.
Offered for with starting bid of $2,995 June 2015.
Here the Plaks display box Proof Sheet Offered on Ebay June 2015 for $5,200
Single cards SOLD 2015 for
$41 to $59.
Finally a few graded singles have
shown up on Ebay in July 2015
PSA 9 SOLD for $111
PSA 5.5 SOLD for $45
PSA 5 SOLD for $57
PSA 9 SOLD for $111
Test series issued by Topps in 1969 or 1970 in both a black & white and color. The B&W are either promotional stills or scenes from the show. The color are thought to be proofs and very few of these exist. In Aug. 2015 a few color cards were offered on Ebay for $329 each but were unsold. The wrapper was a sticker on wax paper. A few B&W cards showed up on Ebay in July 2015 (pictured below with prices).
PSA 8 SOLD $63
PSA 8 SOLD $63
PSA 9oc SOLD $43
PSA 7 SOLD $43
PSA 7 SOLD $47
In 2005 before this set was widey known Topps Vault SOLD single card
"WHICH IS WITCH" On Ebay for $669 Ungraded.
Update: Sept 2015 #14 PSA 9 SOLD for $146
TOTAL RECALL
1990 Pacific Test Pack
PSA 8 Pack sold 2015 for $20.
Raw packs have sold for as little as $1.25 to $5.
EMERGENCY / ADAM 12
Very Rare 1973 Topps Test Issue.
Single card Sold Nov. 2015 for $130.
Raw Wax Pack SOLD Jan. 2016 for $90.