Topps artists created some truly remarkable pieces during the 1960s, much of which collectors have never seen in full. One perfect example is the original artwork used to produce the Mike Shannon panel on card #262 from the 1964 Topps Cardinals Rookie Stars card.
While the final product relegates Shannon to a tiny square on a shared rookie card, the original painting tells a different story. It’s bold, expressive, and detailed, more fitting for a full-size card than the cropped headshot it was ultimately reduced to. The contrast between what was painted and what ended up on cardboard is stark. It’s a real shame hobbyists didn’t get to enjoy the complete composition back then.
Ironically, while the card itself isn’t a headline-grabber in most collections, its top-graded example certainly would be. Only one PSA 10 exists, and if that ever hit the market, you can be sure it would send set registry competitors into a bidding frenzy.
This is a perfect case study of how the art of the hobby often transcends the cardboard it’s printed on and why original Topps artwork remains such a special corner of collecting.
Happy collecting!
Check out The Original Artwork Archive for more!
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