1939-46 Salutation Exhibits #53 Fred 'Dixie' Walker ('D' blanked out)

Gateway Stamp Company has provided collectors over 1 MILLION authenticated certified autographs over the last 30+ years. Though a "stamp company", Gateway went down a new creative road combining art, color photographs, historical events & autographs with their full-color silk cachet envelopes.

WHAT IS A SILK CACHET ?
A "cachet" is a design on an envelope marking an event. "Silk" refers to the delicate material the art and photography are printed on after which it's signed by the player and then post-marked by the Post Office IN THE EVENT'S CITY !!!

WHY POSTMARKS?
A postmark is a great way to mark historical events and the rules governing postmarks GUARANTEES that NO Gateway issue can EVER be re-issued protecting their value !!!

In 1957 Topps created the modern day card by reducing the size of cards to current standard 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches. Topps also increased the set to 154 players and dramatically changed card format to a horizontal split-card. Player selection was awesome with (31) future Hall-of-Famers. 1957's top rookies were Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas & Paul Hornung. The only variation is card #58 Willard Sherman.

1956 Topps were slightly larger (3-3/4" by 2 5/8") horizontal cards similar to 1955 Topps cards, some even sharing portraits with 1954 and 1955 Topps cards. Team cards & checklists appeared for the first time in 1956.

With Bowman gone, after missing the last 3 years, Mickey Mantle was back !!! A fun & simple set, 1956 Topps had no high numbers or expensive rookies but for serious 1956 collectors, there are over 200 variations. Most variations deal with card stock (gray or white back). For #101-180 gray appears to outnumber white about 9-to-1. Many team cards had 2 or 3 variations with team names Left, Center or Right.

There are 2 great cards: #31 Hank Aaron which actually pictures Willie Mays sliding home and #135 Mickey Mantle. Mantle shown leaping high into the stands robbing a home run ! Artist did a great job showing Mantle making the catch ! BUT ... Mantle looked great leaping but the ball flew over his glove.

The 1956 Topps Pins used same portrait photos as the cards.

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1956 Topps Pins Checklist and Prices