In a couple of threads we have talked about proofs, which in the trading card world are often pre-production versions that show what the finished product can look like allowing creators to make changes before the final version.

Sometimes, "proof" is used interchangeably with "promo" or "prototype" as with some of the cards by Unstoppable. Proofs are generally not officially released to the public. They often get thrown away but sometimes an employee keeps one and it ends up years later on Ebay.

Anyway, here's an example of a finished card - in this case a promo (Krome Productions, 1994) for Lady Death: Between Heaven and Hell and a proof from when the card was beyond the idea stage and had reached the point of being a physical item already looking like what it ended up being.

The promo is standard size but the proof is slightly larger at 2 5/8 x 3 5/8 inches and is just the chromium layer without a card stock backing. When you hold the proof, it's rather fragile like a section of filmstrip bending a bit if you don't hold it flat. The back is reflective like silver foil.

The symbol near the lower right corner is silver in the proof but more of a copper color in the promo.

quote:

Originally posted by catskilleagle:
In a couple of threads we have talked about proofs, which in the trading card world are often pre-production versions that show what the finished product can look like allowing creators to make changes before the final version.

Sometimes, "proof" is used interchangeably with "promo" or "prototype" as with some of the cards by Unstoppable. Proofs are generally not officially released to the public. They often get thrown away but sometimes an employee keeps one and it ends up years later on Ebay.

Hey Jess. I noticed that the card example you use is from 1994 Lady Death. So are you talking about only the older versions of proof cards? Like a lot of things in this hobby, newer products have twisted old ideas. They are making pre-production proofs and seeding them in new product.

Specifically, I have seen that Leaf is putting pre-production proofs in Pop Century as 1/1 cards for a while now. They are not on cardboard, more like plastic. They appear to be released as inserts or hits and probably made for every card. So far they don't seem to be worth much to collectors, usually less than $15 on eBay for most. Maybe they will catch on in another 30 years too. What do you think?

Did not Topps release proof cards from their vault a while back?

regards

John