1951 Bowman #104 Virgil Trucks (Tigers)

1962 Topps Baseball Bucks
Checklist & Values

Another Hit Topps Test Issue from the 1960's !!!
1962 Topps Bucks were one of Topps most creative Test Issues. Each 1-3/4" x 4-1/8" "Buck" resembled U.S. currency but instead of George Washington staring at you, it could be Mickey Mantle !!!

1962 Topps Bucks were sold in 1 cent wax packs and were NOT inserts in 1962 Topps wax packs. Most exist with a fold line witgh some unfolded proofs around. Set packed with Hall-of-Famers featuring MICKEY MANTLE, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, Carl Yastrzemski, Stan Musial, Hank Aaron & more !!!

Click for complete 1962 Topps Baseball Bucks checklist and prices
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1952 Topps Baseball Cards
Checklist & Values

1952 is often thought of as Topps 1st baseball card set, but it was not.
Topps issued several smaller baseball card sets prior to their huge 1952 set.
Topps buzz word was "BIGGER is BETTER" for their 1952 Topps set which Topps described as: "GIANT IN BOTH SIZE and NUMBER of CARDS" (407).

Key card in the 1952 Topps set is #311 MICKEY MANTLE. Often called Mickey Mantle's Rookie card - BUT IT IS NOT. That honor goes to his 1951 Bowman.
1952 Topps "High Numbers" (#311-#407), are very, very scarce with an interesting story:
This HUGE set was released in series weeks apart. By the last (6th) series, baseball season was over and football starting. Candy shops had plenty of baseball cards from earlier series so most cancelled their orders for the last series creating the scarcity.

Adding interest is how Topps disposed of the now un-needed cards including THOUSANDS of 1952 Topps MICKEY MANTLE's. They dumped them into the Atlantic Ocean like most of New York's trash in those days.

1952 Topps Baseball card checklist, values and prices.

1957 Topps Football Cards
Checklist & Values

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.

1957 Topps Football card values and prices

Baseball card collecting terms (part A)

Airbrushing is the art of touching up a photo prior to the card being printed. It was generally done to remove imperfections or update or hide a players jersey/cap logo. Because of advancements in print technology and computers this is no longer needed.

All-Star card (AS) usually a subset card picturing a player who participated in the previous season�s all-star game. Topps created these in their 1958 High Number issue and has continued the practice fairly regularly to date. Such cards are usually designated in price guides with the abbreviation of AS.

Assorted A general mix of cards often containing many duplicates.

Auction items are sold to the highest bidder. Auctions used to be live or thru the mail/phone but today most auctions are online.

Auction Catalog lists the rules and descriptions and often images of the items in an auction.

Authentication verification that an item (card, autograph) is genuine. Most "game-used" material inserts have a written declaration of authenticity on the reverse. Authorized Issue card or memorabilia item that has been properly licensed. If the item is of a player, his written permission must be given in order for it to be considered authorized.

1951 Bowman #104 Virgil Trucks (Tigers)

1962 Topps Baseball Bucks Checklist & Values

1952 Topps Baseball Cards Checklist & Values

1957 Topps Football Cards Checklist & Values

1962 Topps Baseball Bucks
Checklist & Values

1952 Topps Baseball Cards
Checklist & Values

1957 Topps Football Cards
Checklist & Values