Coming Attraction: Keith Olbermann on Topps Proofs

Loyal readers will know something big is up simply from the choice of topics: Keith Olbermann has turned in an extraordinary examination of Topps proof cards from four decades, and the exclusive five-part series launches in the May 30 issue of SCD.

In a 13,000-word thesis that figures to instantly become the reference source on this fascinating and mysterious hobby segment, the MSNBC anchor and longtime SCD contributor and columnist will make available spectacular images of many of the Topps proofs from his own fabled collection.

I haven’t been this amped up about a multi-part feature in our pages since the similarly imposing T206 White Border Series that we ran in 2006. This is neat stuff that we are going to extend well into the summer because each section is so elaborately detailed that we wanted to be able to provide sufficient space for every one.

We even own one of those legendary Topps proof cards: the 1977 Topps “Rarest Reggie,” or, as we like to call it around these parts, the “Wherewist Wedgie.” That famous card, depicting Reggie as an Oriole on his 1977 Topps card, gets a section all to itself as perhaps the most significant proof of that decade, slated for the Aug. 8 SCD, one week before the National Convention issue.

With each of the five parts, we’ll run a special SCD Collector Survey that will ask our readers to provide their views about the hobby, their collections and the players that they like to collect, and everybody who enters will be eligible for prizes that will be offered as part of the whole promotion.

Fasten your seat belt, it’s going to be a bumpy ride, and you’re going to get the chance to see a bunch of Topps “cards” unlike any that you might have ever laid eyes upon. Stay tuned.