Offered here is an original 1997 Topps NBA pre-production uncut sheet, printed by Strine Printing Company Inc. for Topps during the 1997 production setup phase.
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This is not a retail leftover sheet. It is a printer pre-production form, identified by original factory margin text including:
• “97 PRE-PROD. CARDS”
• “FORM 1 SIDE A / SIDE B”
• “SLITTER GUIDE”
• Strine Printing Company Inc. / TOPPS
These markings were used internally by the printer for alignment, varnish calibration, and cutting reference prior to mass retail cutting. Sheets from this stage were never intended for pack insertion and survive in very limited numbers.
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Player Lineup on This Sheet
This sheet features the following cards repeated in a full press layout:
• Allen Iverson (Hall of Famer, key chase)
• Scottie Pippen (Hall of Famer)
• Mitch Richmond (Hall of Famer)
• Vin Baker
• LaPhonso Ellis
• Tom Gugliotta
Iverson and Pippen anchor this as a premier late-1990s NBA display piece.
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Production & Finish Details
• Front and back fully printed
• Original factory spot gloss on player images with matte backgrounds (standard for Topps at this stage)
• Clean, intact margins with registration and color bars visible
• No trimming, cutting, or alteration
• Never cut into individual cards
Because this sheet remained intact and avoided cutting, handling, and packaging, the gloss contrast and print detail are far more pronounced than on standard single cards.
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Significance
Pre-production printer sheets like this sit above standard retail uncut sheets in collectability. They represent a moment before cards entered mass production and were used only internally for press setup and verification.
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Sheets retaining:
• Printer identification
• Form numbers
• Slitter guides
are especially desirable to advanced Topps and NBA collectors.
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Condition
Very strong overall condition for a pre-production printer sheet. Minor handling marks consistent with printer material may be present. Please review all photos carefully, as they are part of the description.
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Additional Notes
• This listing is for ONE uncut sheet
• Multiple identical sheets exist from the same printer run
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This is a legitimate Topps pre-production artifact, not a reprint, mock-up, or modern reproduction — and an exceptional centerpiece for an NBA or Topps collection.
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