The Topps Company, Inc. is an American company best known for producing baseball cards. They have produced baseball cards every year since 1951 and are considered the standard in the industry. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at 53 of the most notable, rare, and valuable Topps baseball cards from the early years of their run from 1952 to 1967.

1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle (RC) – Mickey Mantle is widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His 1952 Topps rookie card is one of the most iconic and valuable cards ever produced. High grade PSA 10 examples have sold for over $2 million. Even lower grade copies still fetch thousands.

1952 Topps #107 Willie Mays (RC) – Like Mantle, Willie Mays is also in the conversation for best player ever. His iconic rookie card from 1952 is similarly highly sought after by collectors. PSA 10 Mays rookies have sold for well over $1 million. Even low grade copies still sell for five figures.

1952 Topps #253 Billy Martin (RC) – Billy Martin was a fiery player and manager known for his feisty personality. His rookie card from 1952 Topps is quite rare, with only around 50 copies believed to exist. High grades have sold for over $100,000.

1953 Topps #1 Mickey Mantle – Mantle’s iconic 1953 card featured him in a batting stance. It is considered the most iconic sports card of all time. PSA 10 gems have sold for over $2.88 million, setting records. Even low grades still sell for thousands due to the card’s popularity.

1953 Topps #253 Willie Mays – Mays’ equally iconic 1953 card showed him in an outfield position. High grades have reached $375,000. It is nearly as iconic and valuable as Mantle’s famous ’52 and ’53 cards.

1955 Topps #258 Sandy Koufax (RC) – Sandy Koufax is considered one of the greatest pitchers ever. His rookie card from 1955 Topps is highly valuable, with PSA 10 copies reaching $150,000. Even low grades still sell for thousands.

1957 Topps #91 Mickey Mantle – Mantle’s 1957 card is widely considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs in the entire set. High grades have reached $150,000. It remains one of the most iconic Mantle cards.

1957 Topps #311 Willie Mays – Mays’ 1957 card showed him in a batting stance. High grades have reached $90,000 due to its iconic design and Mays’ legendary status. It remains a highly coveted card.

1957 Topps #311 Hank Aaron (RC) – Hank Aaron would go on to break Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. His rookie card from 1957 is a key piece of baseball history. PSA 10s have reached $75,000.

1957 Topps #500 Ted Williams – Ted Williams is considered one of the greatest hitters of all time. His 1957 card featured an action pose. PSA 10s have reached $50,000 due to his legendary status.

1959 Topps #500 Mickey Mantle – Mantle’s 1959 card is widely regarded as one of the most aesthetically pleasing vintage designs. High grades have reached $100,000 due to its iconic look and Mantle’s popularity.

1960 Topps #1 Roger Maris – Roger Maris’ 1960 rookie card gained notoriety when he broke Babe Ruth’s single season home run record in 1961. PSA 10s have reached $35,000 for this piece of baseball history.

1961 Topps #20 Roger Maris – Maris’ 1961 card was the first to feature him after breaking the home run record. PSA 10s have reached $50,000 for this historic card showing a now record-holding Maris.

1961 Topps #500 Mickey Mantle – Mantle’s 1961 card is another highly regarded vintage design. PSA 10s have reached $75,000 due to its aesthetics and Mantle’s star power. It remains a highly coveted vintage card.

1962 Topps #1 Willie Mays – Mays’ 1962 card is considered one of his most iconic by collectors. PSA 10s have reached $45,000 for this highly regarded Mays design.

1962 Topps #20 Maury Wills (RC) – Maury Wills stole an MLB record 104 bases in 1962, earning him rookie of the year. His 1962 Topps RC is valuable, with PSA 10s at $15,000.

1964 Topps #1 Sandy Koufax – Koufax’s 1964 card featured him in a windup motion. It was issued during his dominant years. PSA 10s have reached $35,000 for this key Koufax card.

1964 Topps #20 Ken Boyer – Ken Boyer won the 1964 NL MVP award. His trophy card from that year has reached $10,000 in top grades due to its rarity and subject.

1965 Topps #20 Jim Bouton – Jim Bouton’s 1965 card was issued during his All-Star season where he went 21-7. Its rarity has made high grades reach $7,500.

1965 Topps #500 Willie Mays – Mays’ 1965 card showed him batting left-handed. PSA 10s have reached $30,000 for this aesthetically pleasing Mays design from his later career.

1966 Topps #1 Sandy Koufax – Koufax’s 1966 card was issued after his record-setting 1965 season. PSA 10s have reached $25,000 for this key card showing Koufax in a windup.

1966 Topps #20 Roberto Clemente – Roberto Clemente’s 1966 card was issued during the season he won the World Series and NL MVP. PSA 10s have reached $15,000.

1967 Topps #1 Sandy Koufax – Koufax’s 1967 card was his last issued Topps card before retiring. PSA 10s have reached $20,000 for this piece of baseball history.

1967 Topps #20 Tom Seaver (RC) – Tom Seaver is considered one of the greatest pitchers ever. His iconic 1967 rookie card is a key piece of baseball history. PSA 10s have reached $50,000.

While cards of the true legends like Mantle, Mays, and Koufax will always be the most valuable, there are many other notable and rare early Topps cards worth discussing:

1956 Topps #97 Roy Campanella (RC) – Campanella was a legendary catcher before a car accident ended his career. His rare 1956 RC has reached $15,000 PSA 9.

1956 Topps #397 Mickey Mantle – Mantle’s 1956 design is highly regarded. PSA 10s have reached $25,000.

1957 Topps #97 Roy Campanella – Campanella’s 1957 card was issued after his career-ending accident. PSA 10s have reached $7,500 due to its subject and story.

1958 Topps #20 Warren Spahn – Spahn’s 1958 card was issued during a 20-win season. PSA 10s have reached $5,000 for this key Spahn vintage card.

1959 Topps #20 Willie McCovey (RC) – McCovey’s rookie card is a key piece of Giants/McCovey history. PSA 10s have reached $15,000.

1960 Topps #20 Nellie Fox – Fox won the 1959 AL batting title. His 1960 card has reached $3,500 PSA 10 due to its subject and story.

1961 Topps #20 Whitey Ford – Ford’s 1961 card was issued during a season he went 25-4. PSA 10s have reached $7,500.

1962 Topps #20 Maury Wills – Wills’ second year card has reached $2,500 PSA 10 due to his stolen base exploits.

1963 Topps #20 Dick Groat – Groat won the 1962 NL batting title. His 1963 card has reached $2,000 PSA 10.

1964 Topps #20 Ken Boyer (2nd Year) – Boyer’s second card has reached $1,500 PSA 10 due to his MVP season.

1965 Topps #20 Jim Bouton (2nd Year) – Bouton’s second Topps card has reached $1,000 PSA 10 due to his 21-win season.

1966 Topps #20 Roberto Clemente (2nd Year) – Clemente’s second year card has reached $1,000 PSA 10.

1967 Topps #20 Tom Seaver (RC) – Seaver’s rookie card has reached $50,000 PSA 10, making it the most valuable card from 1967.

The early years of Topps from 1952 to 1967 produced some of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever. Cards featuring legends like Mantle, Mays, Koufax, and Seaver will always be at the top of want lists. But there are also many other notable stars, rookie cards, and unique subjects that make the entire era highly collectible and fascinating to explore for any baseball card fan. The stories and history captured in these vintage cards help make them truly unique pieces of baseball memorabilia.