zackmak
New Member, Must Send First
These cards have been popular since the 90's, but I'm trying to understand EXACTLY what a company means by issuing an 'Artist's Proof' card. As well address the confusion to the terminology.
From what I can tell, usually, an 'AP' is an exact copy of a regular photograph 'base ' card....but with either a thicker card stock, a different coating (i.e. glossier), and/or with a stamp that says 'AP'. And maybe a different number on the back.
Am I on the right track?
But why use the word 'Artist', which more or less implies an actual artist/individual had done original work on both that specific AP card, and the base card? And, the first expectation would be that the so-called 'artwork' would be done in paint, markers, pencil sketch, etc. (either on-card, or a copy of it). Not a graphic image or photograph.
And the word 'Proof' implies that it would be some sort of '1st copy', or original art' or example of how the artist started that specific image seen on the final piece.
If AP are truly just parallel cards of regular photograph-type base cards, why don't the companies just continue calling the parallels names like Refractors, Gold, etc, etc.? And reserve the AP logo and reference to actual 'ART' cards, where the reference makes sense?
That being said, do 'art' cards have 'AP' cards? I recently spoke with an artist that did some sketches for 2013 Leaf Best Of cards. They were all 1/1. He said he also included some 'AP' cards in the set....BUT these AP cards were completely different 1/1 artwork of the same player. Well, if they are different cards, the base art card doesn't have an AP card - technically -, and the AP card doesn't have a base card - technically. Still confusing.
Does anyone have any insight of AP cards and what their story is? Did AP cards start off implying exactly what it stated, and then stray off to being just parallels? Is the term perplexing to others, as well, and they should just stop using it so generally across the board? It's not like there are not dozens of other names to call a parallel without the selected term being so misguiding.
Thoughts are appreciated.
From what I can tell, usually, an 'AP' is an exact copy of a regular photograph 'base ' card....but with either a thicker card stock, a different coating (i.e. glossier), and/or with a stamp that says 'AP'. And maybe a different number on the back.
Am I on the right track?
But why use the word 'Artist', which more or less implies an actual artist/individual had done original work on both that specific AP card, and the base card? And, the first expectation would be that the so-called 'artwork' would be done in paint, markers, pencil sketch, etc. (either on-card, or a copy of it). Not a graphic image or photograph.
And the word 'Proof' implies that it would be some sort of '1st copy', or original art' or example of how the artist started that specific image seen on the final piece.
If AP are truly just parallel cards of regular photograph-type base cards, why don't the companies just continue calling the parallels names like Refractors, Gold, etc, etc.? And reserve the AP logo and reference to actual 'ART' cards, where the reference makes sense?
That being said, do 'art' cards have 'AP' cards? I recently spoke with an artist that did some sketches for 2013 Leaf Best Of cards. They were all 1/1. He said he also included some 'AP' cards in the set....BUT these AP cards were completely different 1/1 artwork of the same player. Well, if they are different cards, the base art card doesn't have an AP card - technically -, and the AP card doesn't have a base card - technically. Still confusing.
Does anyone have any insight of AP cards and what their story is? Did AP cards start off implying exactly what it stated, and then stray off to being just parallels? Is the term perplexing to others, as well, and they should just stop using it so generally across the board? It's not like there are not dozens of other names to call a parallel without the selected term being so misguiding.
Thoughts are appreciated.
