The 1958 Topps baseball card set was the sixth series of baseball cards produced by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. and featured all 16 major league teams from that season. The set totaled 524 cards and was notable for several reasons. It marked the first time Topps included all players from the American and National Leagues, it featured the debut of several future Hall of Famers, and it contained some iconic cards that are highly sought after by collectors today.

Some key details and highlights about the 1958 Topps set include:

Size and Scope: At 524 total cards, it was the largest Topps set to that point and first to include every MLB player. Prior years had left some players out. Roster sets became the norm going forward.

Design: The design featured a color team logo at top with the team name below in script. The player’s photo took up much of the remaining space with stats along the bottom. It was a clean, straightforward look.

Rookies: Future Hall of Famers making their Topps debut included Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey, Bob Gibson, and Billy Williams among others. Their rookie cards are highly valuable today.

Short Prints: Certain cards were printed in lower quantities, making them rarer. The most famous is the Mickey Mantle card (#253), which has a print run estimated at only 125 copies, making it the most coveted card in the set.

Errors: A few errors slipped through, such as Jim Piersall’s photo appearing on the back of card #130. These anomalies increase collectibility.

Condition Issues: The paper stock was of lower quality than previous years and the cards had a tendency to fade, crease or wrinkle easily over time if not taken care of properly.

Design Changes: Later in the printing process, the team logo was removed from some cards, creating a “no logo” variation. Also, a small percentage had the player’s first initial added to the front.

Prominence of the Yankees: As the dynasty of the late 1950s, the Yankees dominated the high-number cards towards the end of the set. Many of their stars like Mantle, Berra, Ford and Skowron hold value.

Iconic Moments: Many of the photos captured players in the act of batting, throwing or fielding and froze iconic stances that are still recognizable today, like Mays’ over-the-shoulder catch photo.

In terms of individual cards that stand out, here are some of the most notable from the 1958 Topps set:

#1 – Harvey Haddix (Cardinals P): As the first card in the set, it holds tradition value for collectors. Haddix’ photo shows him mid-windup.

#71 – Hank Aaron (Braves RF): Aaron’s rookie card captured him at the peak of his powerful swing. It’s one of the most significant rookie cards in the hobby.

#130 – Jim Piersall (Red Sox OF): The error card with Piersall’s photo on the back is a true oddball collectible.

#144 – Willie Mays (Giants CF): Mays’ iconic over-the-shoulder catch pose is recreated on his card and remains one of the set’s most identifiable images.

#181 – Bob Gibson (Cards P): Gibson’s rookie card portrays him in the stretch position on the mound and is widely considered one of the best baseball cards of all time due to its clarity and composition.

#253 – Mickey Mantle (Yankees CF): The ultra-rare “short print” Mantle with an estimate print run of around 125 copies is the crown jewel card of the set.

#341 – Ted Williams (Red Sox LF): “Teddy Ballgame’s” intense batting stance photograph makes for a memorable visual on this card near the end of the set.

#345 – Warren Spahn (Braves P): Spahn’s card shows him in a follow-through windup and is the last card in the set’s original run before high-numbers were added later.

In the over 60 years since its release, the 1958 Topps set has grown tremendously in popularity and significance among collectors. Pristine, high-grade examples of the top rookie and star cards can fetch six-figure prices or more at auction nowadays. Its blend of iconic photography, rookie debuts of legends, and memorable errors/variations make it one of the most collected vintage issues in the hobby. The 1958 Topps cards captured a snapshot of baseball in that era that still resonates powerfully with fans today.