Somebody has a 1957 Western Round-Up test wrapper listed on eBay right now which I haven't seen previously. The description includes the following text:
"Very rare find. This paper wrapper was used and covered a pack sold in candy stores in 1957. A test issue that was very limited to start, and I wouldn't think there's more than a handful in existence now. The wrapper would be high grade but for a tear that extends from the middle left border to the fold line. The tape you see has nothing to do with the tear and was issued this way to close the pack. Therefore, on the corresponding side right border also has a tiny spot of paper loss. All of these paper issue packs have this because they were issued with the tape. Other than that tear, it's in nice shape."
I just remembered another one! But this one is from 1969, not the 1950's. Probably because it is oversized and not a standard wrapper. Topps Pak O' Fun.
Paper test wrapper, closed with tape...
Retail wax wrapper...
Not only does the test wrapper lack the full background, look closely at the card artwork surrounding the title and the price... different coloring.
I'm still searching for others...
That would be great! Much appreciated Lonnie!
You are an encyclopedia of knowledge.
There are at least two or three sets with known paper wrappers that were probably used for testing. If I remember correctly, 1956 "Flags of the World" was one but I don't remember the others off the top of my head. I think Topps used paper wrappers to test during the early to mid 1950's to avoid the cost of printing wax wrappers until they knew the set was going to retail. It wouldn't surprise me if most of their sets during this period were tested with paper wrappers that just haven't survived or been discovered yet. Topps used fully printed wrappers and boxes for testing up until about 1965 when they started using those plain white wax wrappers with a sticker attached. They continued to use fully printed boxes up to the very early 1970's, when they switched to plain white boxes as well. By 1980 or so, collectors had fully caught on to Topps testing materials and methods, so Topps went back to fully printed wrappers and boxes for testing for a lot of issues after 1980, but not all. I'll try to dig up the other known paper wrapper issues if I can.