1952 Topps #364 Clyde Sukeforth COACH SCARCE HIGH# (Pirates)

Topps has tried many crazy products, called "test issues". Mostly distributed in limited areas, test issues were scarce. "Candy Lids" were little tubs of candy with player's photos on bottom of a 1-7/8" lid. 10 cents/tub, 24 tubs/box.

Topps first Candy Lids in 1970 and they are very, very hard to find. They had small photos of Tom Seaver, Carl Yastrzemski & Frank Howard.

1970 Topps Candy Lids were called "Baseball Stars Bubble Gum", had 24 players, the 1973 Topps Candy Lids had 55.

Topps planned 1972 Candy Lids but never released it, a few proofs do exist.

Topps 1973 Pinups & Comics share many of the same photos.

1977 Topps Cloth Stickers
Checklist & Values

As 1977 baseball season was winding down, Topps wanted to sell more cards and released the "1977 Topps Cloth Stickers" test issue. The 1977 Topps Cloth Stickers set came in at (73) total cards: (55) cloth stickers and (18) checklist/puzzle cards that formed large photos of the 1976 AL & NL All-Star teams.

2 Stickers and 1 checklist/puzzle card were in each .15 cent pack with 36/packs in a box.

Nearly all fronts are same as the regular issue - with a few different like Nolan Ryan.
LEFT: Regular issue;
CENTER: Cloth Sticker;
RIGHT: O-Pee-Chee (from Canada).

The 2-1/2" x 3" stickers had highlights & instructions on back. The backing was easily removed and kids could stick them everywhere ! TEACHERS LOVED THEM !!!

Packed with Hall-of-Famers (19 of 55) plus Pete Rose and Mark Fidrych. In addition, stickers & puzzle pieces came with one '*' or two '**' asterisks on back.

As a kid I loved shopping with mom hoping to find my next favorite food - the one with baseball cards !!! In 1955,1959 & 1960, kids could enjoy hot dogs with their cards thanks to Armour's coins in 1955, 1959 & 1960.

The 1-1/2 inch plastic coins, almost the same each year, came in many colors with several rare and perhaps even 1-of-1, making a "master" set almost impossible. Add in the variations and you can imagine the task.

See sportscollectorsdaily for great 1955,1959 & 1960 Armour baseball coins article.