Quote:
Originally Posted by DeweyintheHall
A question for those who might know - with all the action shots in Topps sets beginning in 1971 (and all the action images they must have taken and not used), why is it that there doesn't seem to be any included in 99% of the TV releases? Once I heard someone ask this question, it suddenly dawned on me that it really does seem odd. The only action shots you do see seem to be exclusively from the late 90s or so.
Thanks to anyone who might be able to help shed some light...
|
Merkle can probably give you a more complete and accurate response. However... My understanding is that the early action shots from the 70s were Polaroids. The Vault has sold lots of these, actually, though I assume fewer of those were taken and/or still exist than the negatives/transparencies of the same era. Looking at the card sets of the eighties, its clear to me that many of the action shots were taken by professional photographers (guys who worked for SI and like publications and free lancers). While Topps purchased the rights to use these photographs, I seriously doubt they purchased the full ownership rights (which were likely retained by the photogs). (Aside: one of the best card blogs out there--Night Owl--r
ecently did a piece about Topps cards featuring the work of Ronald C. Modra). That trend may very well have continued--virtually uninterrupted--to the present.
When Topps Vault offers the action shots they do--be they Polaroids or the late 90s super star stuff you do see, I, for one, generally skip right past them as they do nothing for my head. I prefer and have always preferred the posed shots I grew up with (just one reason I prefer Heritage to Topps flagship). I suspect a lot of image collectors may feel similarly. Which is to say, the Vault probably offers more action images than are ever called to anyone's attention in this little corner of the hobby.