Short print cards were introduced by the major card companies in the 1970s as a way to add scarcity and excitement to the sports card collecting hobby. These cards had much lower print runs than the standard cards in any given baseball card set. Identifying short print cards can be challenging, but there are some definitive signs collectors can look for:
The most obvious way to identify a short print is if the card is numbered. Starting in the late 1980s and 1990s, Topps and other companies began numbering the short prints at the end of the base set, usually in the 700-900 range. Short prints from the 1970s and early 80s will not have a number designation. Without a number, identification takes a bit more detective work.
Focus first on the photo and design. Short prints will almost always have a completely unique photo from any other card in the set. The image will be one not used on any standard or common cards. Examine every photo carefully and compare to checklists online. A photo only used on one card is a clue it may be a short print. The design work around the image may also differ subtly from the standard cards. Things like color shades, font styles, and layout positioning could vary just enough to stand out.
Inspect the cardboard stock and printing quality as well. Short prints tended to have lower quality paper stock and fuzzier, less sharp printing due to the smaller and rushed print runs. Hold the card up to light and examine the surfaces and edges for signs of inferior quality. Duller, thicker cardstock and blurrier ink are clues. Technology improved over the decades, so late 80s and 90s short prints may not show this trait as noticeably.
Check online checklists and census population reports. Websites like Trading Card Database keep records of confirmed short prints from particular sets. Compare your suspects to the listings and document photo/design to see if it’s a confirmed match. You can also see how many of a certain short print are reported as graded and verified to get a sense of its overall scarcity versus standard cards. The lower the population, the more likely it truly is a short print.
Consult with experienced collectors and graders. If still unsure after exhaustive comparisons, seek the opinions of those very familiar with identifying short prints. Post photos of your suspects on card collecting forums for community feedback. Or have cards graded and encased by a reputable third party service – their skilled authenticators can definitively authenticate a short print. Take the consensus into account when making your final determination.
Pay attention to the secondary market price guides as well. If a card from a set is consistently valued far higher than its teammates, even in raw ungraded condition, that price premium is usually due to it being a known short print. While price isn’t confirmation alone, it does add supporting evidence for cards attracting the “short print premium.” Do due diligence on recent confirmed auction sales as well.
With dedication to detail, comparison research, and input from experts, collectors stand an excellent chance of pinpointing those elusive short print baseball cards that hold such cachet in the hobby. It takes work but can pay off to recognize rarities hiding in plain sight in vintage sets. Applying these identification methods will uncover many confirmed short prints over time.
