Topps Baseball Card Checklist (1951-1959)
Starting as the Topps gum company in 1938, the Brooklyn, NY based, Topps Gum was eventually replaced by Bazooka Bubble Gum in 1947 and is now one of America's most recognized products. Topps added trading cards in 1950 to try and enhance gum sales. That year, Hopalong Cassidy and Frank Buck "Bring 'em Back Alive" cards were issued. The following year the first baseball cards were published (Red Backs, and Blue Backs game cards.) In 1952 the First set was issued with the famed Mickey Mantle Rookie Card, and a Stick of Gum!
For the FREE 1951 Topps Red Back checklist CLICK HERE
The 1951 Topps Red Back baseball card set consist of 52 cards that measure approximately 2" by 2 5/8". The Red Back set is identical in style to the 1951 Topps Blue Back set of the same year. The cards have rounded corners and were designed to be used as a baseball game. The Red set is noted on the cards as "A Series" and the Blue Back set is correspondingly "B Series". The cards were packaged as two connected cards along with a piece of caramel in a penny pack. There were 120 penny packs in a box. The most notable Rookie Card in the set is Monte Irvin. |
For the FREE 1951 Topps Blue Back checklist CLICK HERE
The 1951 Topps Blue Back baseball card set consist of 52 cards that measure approximately 2" x 2 5/8". The 1951 Topps Blue Back set is identical in style to the 1951 Topps Red Back set of the same year. The cards have rounded corners and were designed to be used as a baseball game. The Red set is noted on the cards as " A Series" and the Blue Back set is correspondingly "B Series". The cards were packaged as two connected cards along with a piece of caramel in a penny pack. There were 120 penny packs in a box. The most notable Rookie Card in the set is Monte Irvin. |
For the FREE 1952 Topps Baseball Card checklist CLICK HERE
The 1952 baseball card set was the First Major set issued by Topps. The set consisted of 407 baseball cards that measure 2-5/8" by 3-3/4" Cards 311-407 were printed in limited quantities and are extremely rare. |
For the FREE 1953 Topps Baseball Card checklist CLICK HERE
Because of the competition with Bowman the 1953 Topps baseball card set is missing 6 cards. The original players slated for those cards signed exclusive contracts with Bowman. The set consists of 274 baseball cards numbered 1-280. Cards not issued are: 253, 261, 267, 268, 271 and 275. Variations exists with card numbers 10, 44, 61, 72, 81 and 85-165. The backs of the cards personal data, are found in either black or white ink. The cards with the black text seem to be more scarce but, both have the same book value in the price guides. |
For the FREE 1954 Topps Baseball Card checklist CLICK HEREBecause of the competition with Bowman the 1954 Topps baseball card set has less cards than the previous two years. Player like Mickey Mantle, and Roy Campanella had exclusive contracts with Bowman. The set consists of 250 baseball cards. These cards were issued with three boarders, with no boarder on top leading some collectors to think they were mis-cut.
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For the FREE 1955 Topps Baseball Card checklist CLICK HERE
Because of the competition with Bowman the 1955 Topps baseball card set is missing 4 cards. The original players slated for those cards signed exclusive contracts with Bowman. The set consists of 206 baseball cards numbered 1-210. Cards not issued are: 175, 186, 203 and 209. |
For the FREE 1956 Topps Baseball Card checklist CLICK HERE
The 1956 Topps baseball card set consisted of 340 baseball cards that measure 2-5/8" by 3-3/4" Six team cards in the first series numbers 11, 72, 85, 90, 95, and 100 have three variations each: either they are dated, or not dated with the team name either centered or aligned to the left. The number of cards in this set (572) is the largest to date for Topps, as they no longer had compaction from the Bowman company. In 1954, and 1955 many of the top stars like Mickey Mantle signed exclusive contracts with Bowman. In 1956 Topps purchased the Bowman company and ended their rivalry in the sports card market. In 1989, Topps once again began production of cards with the Bowman name. |
For the FREE 1957 Topps Baseball Card checklist CLICK HERE
The 1957 Topps baseball card set consisted of 407 baseball cards that measure 2-1/2" by 3-1/2" These cards are smaller than the Topps baseball cards made from 1952- 1956, and are the size of the baseball cards made today. There are four checklist cards with no numbers series 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, and 4/5.There were also 3 no number contest cards that came in a pack of cards. |
For the FREE 1958 Topps Baseball Card checklist CLICK HERE
The 1958 Topps baseball card set consisted of 494 baseball cards numbered 1-495. Card number 145 (not issued) was supposed to feature Ed Bouchee, but his card was withdrawn after he was suspended from the game for the entire season due to off-field misconduct. Variations include 33 cards from 2-108 that feature either player or team names in yellow letters, instead of the more common white letter variation. Checklist variations include Alphabetical order and Numerical order. Card 433B ERR Pancho Herrera the letter "a" is missing at the end of his name. |
For the FREE 1959 Topps Baseball Card checklist CLICK HERE
The 1959 Topps baseball card set consisted of 572 baseball cards. Card Number 316 Ralph Lumenti UER is actually a photo of Camilo Pascual. There are 3 Option statement variation cards with, and without the statement, and 2 Traded Statement Variation Cards, With, and without the statement. |