The 1955 Topps baseball card set was issued by Topps during the summer of 1955 and contains a total of 483 trading card images. It is considered a classic and highly collectible set from the ‘Golden Age’ of modern baseball card production in the post-World War 2 era. Some key things to know about the 1955 Topps baseball card checklist include:
This was Topps’ third year producing baseball cards after starting in 1952. The 1954 set was their first true ‘flagship’ major league product. While the photography and design had improved from the previous years, cards were still fairly basic in 1955 with small black-and-white images and simple typography. Each player was shown from head-to-toe wearing their team uniform with their name and team printed at the bottom.
One of the distinctive aspects of the 1955 set was the wide range of posed action shots used for the player images. While modern sets favor more candid photography, Topps in 1955 seemed to ask players to strike poses such as pitching, batting, fielding, and throwing. This added visual interest compared to stiff mug shot portraits. It also led to some odd and unnatural looking poses in some cases.
The 1955 Topps checklist was the first to feature all 16 major league teams from both the American and National Leagues, with 20 cards dedicated to each club. This expanded to a set twice the size of the previous year. Some notable rookies included future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron (Milwaukee Braves), Orlando Cepeda (Boston Braves), and Frank Robinson (Cincinnati Reds).
Some other stars prominently featured included Willie Mays (New York Giants), Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees), Eddie Mathews (Milwaukee Braves), and Warren Spahn (Braves). The 1955 season would see the Brooklyn Dodgers win their only World Series title before moving to Los Angeles after the season. Hall of Famers Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, and Jackie Robinson were included representing that championship Dodgers team.
In addition to the player cards, the 1955 Topps checklist included 12 team cards (two per team) bringing the final tally to 483 total cards. The team cards featured posed action shots of multiple players from that club. Managing to include full rosters for 16 MLB teams and have space for team cards made the 1955 Topps set quite comprehensive for its era.
Unlike modern issues which use parallel short prints, autographs, and memorabilia cards to entice collectors to buy multiple packs, the 1955 Topps base set was the sole product. Finding complete runs in pristine condition is the biggest attraction. The card stock was thinner than later Topps issues, making high grade specimens that much tougher to come by. PSA/BGS population reports showunder 300 grade 9 examples known among the entire 483 card checklist.
While production techniques were still developing, Topps took a big step forward with the full inclusion of both major leagues that helped cement baseball cards as an essential part of the culture and fandom of American professional baseball. Sets from the mid-1950s like 1955 Topps are very memorable issues that helped develop the Golden Age appearance and collecting culture we still know and appreciate today. With its who’s who of legendary players and teams, the 1955 Topps checklist remains one of the most iconic in the hobby.
In the decades since its original release, the 1955 Topps set has become highly valued among vintage collectors. Raw cards in average circulated condition still trade hands for $10-20 each online. Elite examples can sell for thousands. In 2016, a gem mint PSA 10 Mickey Mantle from the ’55 Topps issue sold at auction for over $100,000. Even common players can reach $500+ in top grades. The 1955 Topps checklist started the modern baseball card era and its historic rosters ensure it stays a cornerstone of the hobby.
