More Memorabilia Problems for Top Shelf

Nov 7 2001 10:53AM

By Al Muir



Mere days after the discovery of problems with Mike Modano swatches in the 2001-02 Top Shelf product, Beckett.com has confirmed another memorabilia mixup by Upper Deck. At issue this time are stick pieces allegedly game-used by Peter Forsberg that were utilized by UD for memorabilia cards issued with three products over the past two seasons.

The problem with the Forsberg pieces came to light thanks to Denver collector Barrie Grice. One of the hobby's foremost experts on Forsberg memorabilia, Grice immediately recognized the pattern apparent on several Top Shelf Stick cards as being from an Easton T-Flex. The model has never been used by the Colorado center, who currently is on a self-imposed hiatus from hockey.

"Forsberg has never used that type of stick in a game," Grice states. "He tried one once in a pre-game warmup in Calgary about three years ago, but used a Titan ASD 6000 during the actual game. That is the only time he has ever touched that model stick.

"Over his career, he used Jofa/Titans of various colors and models up until the start of the 2000 playoffs. He then switched to the silver Easton Synergy which he used throughout last year, something that can be confirmed by looking at card photos."

Upper Deck spokesman Justin Kanoya confirmed suspicions that the pieces were indeed from a T-Flex stick, likely one that was used by Forsberg's teammate, Joe Sakic.

"We're not really sure how the error took place," Kanoya says of the mis-used stick bits. "But we assume that since they're teammates, there was simply a mixup with the bags that hold the pieces."

The Sakic pieces were not used on all Top Shelf Forsberg cards, however. Beckett has confirmed the existence of several examples using pieces that are consistent with the Synergy sticks that Forsberg has used in the past. Upper Deck could not speculate on how many correct or incorrect versions might exist in the market.

Kanoya also confirmed that the T-Flex error was not limited to just the Forsberg Top Shelf Stick insert. Sakic stick pieces were represented as Forsberg's on the Top Shelf Triple Stick (which featured both players, along with Patrick Roy), as well as on the 2000-01 SPx Winning Materials #PF and on the 2001-02 Upper Deck MVP Game-Used Souvenirs #S-PF.

In other hockey-related news...



Fleer and Grosnor Sportscards will be offering a wrapper redemption program at the Sportscard & Memorabilia Fall Expo at the Toronto International Centre this weekend.



Collectors should purchase five packs of Fleer Greats of the Game at the show and open them at the Grosnor booth can exchange the wrappers for an autograph from Greats of the Game.

The available cards will be:
Glenn Anderson
Jean Beliveau
Johnny Bower
Neal Broten
Wendel Clark
Phil Esposito
Tony Esposito
Ed Giacomin
Butch Goring
Rick Kehoe
Guy LaFleur
Rod Langway
Reggie Leach
Jacques Lemaire
Mike Liut
Rick Middleton
Gordie Howe
Joe Mullen
Kent Nilsson
Bobby Nystrom
Brad Park
Henri Richard
Larry Robinson
Serge Savard
Bobby Smith
Tiger Williams

Astute collectors will notice that several of those names appeared on the list of short printed autographs which was released earlier this month on beckett.com.

"These are part of the production run we announced earlier," says Fleer spokesman Josh Perlman. "They were held out of packs. In fact, there are only a couple of each of the short printed players available. We thought this would be a great way for serious collectors to have a chance at these tough cards."

Perlman also noted that the cards would be given out at random throughout the weekend, so collectors arriving at the show on Saturday or Sunday won't have to worry about missing out on a chance at the SPs.

More information on other manufacturer promotions at the show is available in this recent online story.