Skip to main content

C.A.: 1985 Donruss Tom Seaver (Floyd Bannister error)

(I admit I've never been a major Rush fan, though "Moving Pictures" was the theme music -- thanks to a boom box in the back -- to my bus rides home from school. But I've been kind of obsessed with news of the reunion tour. I heard last night's show was pretty cool. Anyway, time for Cardboard Appreciation. This is the 370th in a series):
 

I received this Tom Seaver variation card from 1985 Donruss in a TCDB trade the other day. I usually don't chase error cards for '80s sets that I'm building. It depends -- it's kind of a case-by-case basis. But picturing a completely different player is a pretty big error. I couldn't say no. That is Floyd Bannister on Tom Seaver's card.
 
I already owned the corrected version of the card:
 

 That's a major flub actually. Tom Seaver is a huge name and had been in the limelight for nearly 20 years at this point. I can hear Topps chortling over four-year-old Donruss making such a goof. Or maybe it grumbled over the supposedly purposeful errors of Donruss and Fleer from this time.
 
I don't know the details of this error, the time frame and all that -- when was the error discovered? When was the correction issued? As I've said before, I paid very little mind to baseball cards in 1985 and bought only two or three packs of Donruss (I bought nothing for Fleer).
 
But I've always liked 1985 Donruss and getting this error card has given me the boost to finally chase down what I need to finish the set. It's only seven cards. I've put most of the stragglers -- some were gremlins (Luis DeLeon!!) -- into my sportslot cart. And I'll probably add one of the big three I need, either Clemens, Gooden or Puckett.
 
Those three are still causing me some angst -- I should not be paying double-figures for a mid-1980s card!! But hopefully I'll get over it because I want to get this done and out of my hair.
 
Now ...
 

... Big Decisions.
 
Do I --
 
a) Put the Tom Seaver Floyd Bannister error card side-by-side with the actual Floyd Bannister card in the binder?
b) Put the Tom Seaver Floyd Bannister error card side-by-side with the correct Tom Seaver card in the binder?
c) Put the Tom Seaver Floyd Bannister error card in the back of the binder with any other variations (as I've done with some other sets).
 
P.S. I already know the answer.  It's "c", unless I work up the energy to shift one-third of the set over one card to put the two Seavers next to each other.

Comments

If it wasn't already paged, I'd've voted for putting it in number order but since it would require a Herculean shift, in the back of the binder works best.
Anonymous said…
I believe the Bannister/Seaver error card was found in all packs. The Seaver correction was only found in factory sets.
Don said…
Correct. The two rated rookies with no number in 84 are the same way. Errors are in packs, correct in factory set. Of course the 2 living legend cards are only in packs.
Doc Samson said…
What a post. I clearly remember when 85 Donruss came out. The factory sets were quite popular on the Southside of Chicago (and quite pricey, for kids, anyway.) Probably Donruss’ best designed set ever in my opinion.
POISON75 said…
In my master 1985 Donruss set I have the errors first then the corrections after Checklist #6 thats what I think ya should do
GoldenEagles555 said…
I agree with option C. That's how I would do it.

More importantly, I can't wait for the Rush show in Dallas. They've been my favorite band since 6th grade and I finally get a chance to take my daughter. Good times ahead.
Fuji said…
I like your idea of putting the variations together at the end of the binder. Can't speak on Gooden or Puckett, but I finally grabbed a Clemens to complete my set back in April for under $7 (shipped). Best of luck tracking the Big 3 down for a reasonable price.
Chris said…
It's your binder and your system, but if it were my binder I'd do something I never ever do otherwise - double up the pocket, with the corrected version on front and the error behind it.

Thta's what I've done for the many, many Pro Set errors and variations
GCA said…
I usually put them side by side in the set. Sorry about the shifting, but that puts them in proper order. I don't see why you would separate them.
And don't pull the trigger on that cart until some of us check our spares. I've probably got a few of the stars if I have any at all.
bryan was here said…
It's always Variation then Correction when my cards are arranged in the binders.
I always was amused about Donruss and their "errors". Surprisingly, there are no major variations in the '84 set. Maybe that's why it's favoured by most people, Mattingly rookie notwithstanding.
jacobmrley said…
The error definitely goes to the back of the binder, especially since 660 is not an even number for 9-pocket pages so there is room at the end.