1964 Topps Monsters from Outer Limits # 12 Monster from Venus (VG/EX)


1960s Entertainment Trading Cards

Another huge decade for Topps, the 1960s Entertainment Trading Cards lineup also includes popular sets from Donruss, Fleer, Leaf and Philadelphia Gum.

1964 Topps Monsters from Outer Limits Trading Cards

1964 Topps Monsters from Outer Limits is one of the era’s most notorious entertainment sets of its era. Extremely condition sensitive and surrounded in some controversy, the release remains extremely popular today.

Product Details

Although it's reviled by some for it's liberal spin on a beloved Sci-fi property, 1964 Topps Monsters from Outer Limits is still one of the most popular entertainment trading card sets of all-time. Highlighted by strange creatures, the set also features notoriously tough black borders that make finding top-condition cards extremely tough to find.

While Topps produced the Outer Limits set, it was released under the Bubbles Inc. banner. The same thing happened with 1962 Topps Mars Attacks, presumably to put a little distance between the company and the potentially controversial subject matter.

The Outer Limits ranks near the top of the list when it comes to beloved Sci-fi TV shows. But there's some mixed feelings about the set from big-time fans. The cards may use visuals from the series, but the write-ups have nothing to do with it. According to this interview with Len Brown, one of the set's creators, when the show's writers wanted money for using their storylines, Topps didn't have the budget and did their own.

Besides the subject matter, another reason why 1964 Topps Monsters from Outer Limits is so popular today is the design. Card fronts have a black border that is extremely condition sensitive. They amplify even the smallest dings. Images are taken from black and white promo stills that were colorized by Topps. Card bottoms have a yellow caption.

Card backs are primarily black. A yellow comet shoots across with the top. The caption is repeated in a headline. The text is in a large yellow box.

Further adding to the challenge of building the set are a few double prints and a ton of perceived short prints. Nearly half of the set is tougher to find while other cards are much more readily available.

How We Grade:

Gem Mint (GMT): (10.0) A flawless card. To be in Gem Mint condition, a card’s borders must have a ratio of 50/50 side to side and top to bottom. 

Mint (MT): (9.0-9.5) A perfect card. Well-centered with parallel borders which appear equal to the naked eye. Four sharp, square corners. No creases, edge dents, surface scratches, paper flaws, loss of luster, yellowing or fading, regardless of age. No imperfectly printed cards – out of register, badly cut or ink flawed – or card stained by contact with gum, wax or other substances can be considered truly Mint, even if new out of the pack. Generally, to be considered in Mint condition, a card’s borders must exist in a ratio of 60/40 side to side and top to bottom. 

Near Mint/Mint (NM/MT): (8.0-8.5) A super high-end card that appears Mint 9 at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may exhibit a very slight wax stain on reverse, slight fraying at one or two corners, or a minor printing imperfection. Centering must be app. 65/35 to 70/30 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse. 

Near Mint (NM): (7.0-7.5) A nearly perfect card at first glance, but upon closer inspection, may have slight surface wear, slight fraying on some corners, slightly out-of-register picture focus, a minor printing blemish or slight wax stain on reverse. Centering must be 70/30 to 75/25 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

Excellent/Near Mint (EX/NM): (6.0-6.5) Card may have visible surface wear or a printing defect. A very light scratch. Corners may have slightly graduated fraying. Picture focus may be slightly out-of-register. Card may have minor wax stain on reverse, may have very slight nothing on edges. Centering must be 80/20 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the reverse.

Excellent (EX): (5.0-5.5) Corners are still fairly sharp with only moderate wear. Card borders may be off center as much as 85/15. No creases. May have very minor gum, wax or product stains, front or back. Surfaces may show slight loss of luster from rubbing across other cards. Dark bordered cards may have one or two small nicks.

Very Good/Excellent (VG/EX): (4.0-4.5) Shows obvious handling, but still looks nice. Corners may be rounded or have minor creases. No major creases, tape marks or extraneous markings or writing. Surfaces does exhibit loss of luster, but the printing is intact. May have paper wrinkles. May show major gum, wax or other packaging stains. All four borders visible, though the ratio may be as poor as 95/5. Exhibits honest wear. 

Very Good (VG): (3.0-3.5) A well-worn card, but exhibits no intentional damage or abuse. May be “Mis-cut or Off-Center” with no border visible. May have major or multiple creases, however, creases are not so deep as to show the underlying paper. This card is completely readable, has not been written on, and has no tape marks or holes. Corner rounding may extend well beyond the border. 

Good (GD) (2.0-2.5) Shows excessive wear, along with damage or abuse. Will show all the wear characteristics of a Very Good card, along with such damage as thumb tack holes in or near margins, evidence of having been taped or pasted, perhaps small tears around the edges or creases so heavily as to break the cardboard. Backs may show minor added pen or pencil writing or be missing small bits of paper. Still basically a complete card. 

Poor (P): (1.0-1.5) A card that has been tortured to death. Corners or other areas may be torn off. Card may have been trimmed, show holes from a paper punch or have been used for BB gun practice. Front may have extraneous pen or pencil writing, or other defacement. Major portions of front or back design may be missing. Not a pretty sight. 

We believe that all our listings are 100% Original and Authentic unless otherwise noted. They are all covered by a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, if for whatever reason you are not happy with your purchase we will exchange it, replace it, discount it or you can return it for a full refund.

Standard/Combined 1st Class Shipping via USPS is $3.95 for the first card and $0.15 for each additional card, with a max. of (40) items per invoice. Subject to change as postal rates continue to increase. Estimated delivery is 3-5 days. Subject to change as postal delivery schedules continue to increase. Please see shipping tab for current postage rates. All cards will ship in penny sleeves, top loaders, team bag & bubble wrap envelopes.

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