1980 Topps Baseball Forum

Going through a lot purchase, thought I stumbled upon a winner.  From the front it looks like a superb condition Rickey RC.  Flipped it over and it's pretty much a blank cardboard back (someone hand wrote the #482).  I don't see anything in the set listing for box bottoms, but honestly, if it's a box bottom it's the most precisely cut one I've ever seen.

There were no box bottoms issued for the 1980 set. Makes me wonder if it's a blank back.

Looks like a typical blank back printing error.

It does look like it was cut from something. If you look at the blank back image the bottom of the card is wider than the top, that could be just the perspective of the photo with the bottom of it being closer to the camera, however the left edge isn't quite straight. 

Is it thicker than a normal card from that set, if you have one handy to compare the two? 

I'd say it is just a small bit flimsier than a regular 1980 topps card, but small enough that I didn't notice anything at first, until I flipped it over. 

Below is a picture of a blank back I was able to find from that set, the color is much lighter than yours. Maybe the card you have never had the back applied at all? Or another thought, sometimes magazines would insert baseball cards (panel with 4 cards), Dynamite magazine was one for example, but I am pretty sure those did have stats on the back like a regular card?

I have another thought on this for you, sometimes in the early production of the cards they used these blank backs as proofs. Before they mass produce the run it would be helpful to see what the finished product would look like, correct any obvious errors and make adjustments. These proofs somehow seem to make it onto the secondary market from time to time. Or like a couple of others have said, maybe two sheets stuck together going into the printing machine, and only the bottom sheet received the ink for the backs. The top sheet with the blank back was supposed to be disposed, but sometimes were not and also made their way into the after market. 

Either way yours is a pretty good card to have. If you don't want to hold onto it yourself, should have no problem finding someone who would like to add it to their collection. 

I pulled blank back Topps baseball cards out of packs in the 70s and 80s. They were a thing.

Oh, Rickey is one of the 15 cards I have remaining to finish the set.  Figured he'd be the last one, thought I got super lucky.  It'll slot in nicely for now.  This might just have to be the one set I keep in a binder - no one would know the difference.

There are 50 people with the Rickey rookie for trade. And 12 of those have multiples for trade. Maybe one of them would swap you for your blank back?